Music lovers are in for a treat at this year’s Tilba Festival, with local favourites Dust & Echoes joining an impressive lineup of home-grown performers set to entertain festival goers throughout the day.

Known for their thoughtful song-writing and engaging live performances, they have been steadily building a reputation across the Far South Coast as a band that combines musical craftsmanship with genuine connection to their audiences.

Their debut original album In The Blood is played regularly on Australian Country Music Radio and internationally, pushing them into The Australian People’s Choice Awards this year. Their sound blends elements of country rock and blues soul, creating a style that feels both familiar and distinctly their own.

Lead vocalist Jodi-lee Jessop lights up the stage and engages the crowd. Her trademark butterfly wings always delight young festival goers and rumour has it there will be a kaleidoscope of lucky mini butterfly supporters flitting their way amongst the crowd at this year’s festival.

This year’s entertainment program has been curated by local musician Andrew Read, who has been working behind the scenes to ensure the festival’s music offering celebrates the depth and diversity of talent found right here in our region.

His focus on showcasing local artists reflects the spirit of the Tilba Festival itself, a community event created by locals, for locals, and warmly welcoming visitors to experience the creativity and character of our area.

Joining Dust & Echoes in the festival line-up are several much-loved local musos including Abby May, winner of the Special Judges award at the 2025 Australian National Busking Championships. Abby brings a soulful blend of contemporary folk and acoustic storytelling, captivating audiences with her heartfelt songs and expressive voice.

Shanna at last year’s Tilba Festival

Jakob Poyner is an accomplished singer-songwriter whose thoughtful lyrics and skilled musicianship have earned him a strong following throughout the region.

Piper and the Daymakers deliver uplifting, feel-good performances with infectious energy, blending folk, roots and indie influences into a sound that gets audiences smiling and moving.

And no Tilba Festival music program would feel complete without the much-loved Shannanigans, playing all those blues/soul/funk classics you love to sing and dance to and Shanna’s stage presence has made them a perennial favourite at major community events.

The strength of this year’s musical lineup lies not only in the quality of the performances, but in the shared connections these artists have with the community they call home.

At its heart, the Tilba Festival is about bringing people together. Showcasing local musicians is more than entertainment – it’s a celebration of the people, stories and creative spirit that make this region such a special place to live.

As with previous festivals, tickets will need to be purchased in advance which helps reduce the number of volunteers needed to make our festival run smoothly, plus early ticket sales sure give our volunteer festival community something to smile about! Order your tickets on the Tilba Festival webpage in Humanitix.

Nicole Clarke

Photo top right: Dust and Echoes