If you were wondering what has happened to the tall red Wiggle, Murray Cook then the Newtown Festival had the answer. Cook has formed a group called ‘Murray Cook’s Soul Movers’ which was the last band to perform at the Festival’s music line-up. The band has recorded its first album at what is regarded as soul’s birthplace, Muscle Shoals Studio in Alabama where the Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin frequently recorded.
Newtown’s 2019 Festival was held once again at the voluminous Camperdown Memorial Rest Park. Throughout the day it featured an Eco Village, Better Read Than Dead, Writer’s Tent, a Commune, Heaps Gay Karaoke Closet, Sydney Airport’s Kids Zone, Sissy Treats Dog Show, and close to 300 stalls selling food, drinks, handicrafts and more.
Labelling itself as a Festival by the people, for the people, when I arrived late in the afternoon, the park was still full, pumping with a vibrancy and brio.
Next year if the weather is fine i will try and make a fuller day of this great festival.
Pics by Ben Apfelbaum
