After enduring a raft of nightmare festival cancellations, Roche Estate in the Hunter Valley is finally set to host live music fans again this Saturday 29, at the first SummerSalt festival for the region.

Food, wine and live music festival Wine Machine is set to return to Roche estate in April. Photo source: Wine Machine

The COVID-safe event is a live outdoor concert series currently touring the nation that organisers say “exemplifies the great Australian outdoor summer.”

The lineup for the Hunter Valley leg of the tour includes blues rock band The Teskey Brothers, as well as John Butler, Boy & Bear, and indie rock duo Holy Holy.

Australian pop singer-songwriter Montaigne will also be performing, alongside Indigenous folk artist Emily Wurramara and Central Coast Indie Folk band Little Quirks.

Fans were left disappointed after much-anticipated band The Waifs recently pulled out of the show, however organisers announced on Wednesday that they have been replaced with Australian country music star Kasey Chambers.

SummerSalt claims Chambers will impress fans with “her iconic hits and refreshing country sound.”

Since its inception in 2019, SummerSalt has delivered iconic Australian artists in some of the most scenic locations around the country.

Accompanying the homegrown talent each year is family-friendly activities, local market stalls, food trucks, and a selection of refreshing beverages “perfect for a day in the sunshine”.

“This festival event is set to be a great day out with live music and a vibrant setting”, organisers said.

“It’s the perfect place to bask in the sun and fresh breeze while kicking back or dancing the day & night away to some of Australia’s best live music.”

In line with current COVID-19 restrictions, attendees will not be allowed to stand and dance, and festival organisers have issued a request for fans to organise their own seating arrangements.

SummerSalt issued a warning that if attendees do not supply their own seating, entry will be refused.

The iconic Hunter Valley venue Roche Estate has endured a raft of cancellations in recent times, after uncertainty and difficulties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the first time in 2022, the venue hosted more than 9,000 people last Saturday 22 at Australian rock ‘n’ roll concert Red Hot Summer.

The venue is remaining optimistic and is gearing up for a live- music filled April, and is set to hot food and wine festival Wine Machine, as well as Wildflower festival, which celebrates women in music.

More information on this weekend’s SummerSalt festival can be found here.

Maia O’Connor