Riverboats Music Festival Launches New Stage for Emerging Regional Artists

Riverboats Music Festival is expanding its commitment to regional Australian music, launching a new stage dedicated to emerging artists as it prepares to celebrate its 15th anniversary in 2027. 

The Dungula Discovery Stage, in collaboration with Echuca-based Rabbit Trax Promotions, will offer emerging musicians from regional Australia the opportunity to perform in front of thousands of music lovers at next year's festival. 

Named for Dungula, the Yorta Yorta word for the Murray River, the initiative aims to provide a platform for regional talent while introducing Riverboats audiences to the next generation of Australian artists. 

Applications are now open to solo artists and duos based in regional Australia who can perform a 20-minute set of original material. 

Selected performers will receive a $350 performance fee and a weekend ticket to Riverboats 2027. The stage will operate with a plug-and-play setup and a dedicated operator, although artists will need to supply their own instruments and equipment. 

Riverboats Music Festival Director David Frazer said the initiative reflects the festival's longstanding connection to regional communities and its commitment to discovering new talent. 

“The depth of musical talent that can be found across regional Australia never ceases to amaze us,” he said. “With the Dungula Discovery Stage, we're giving emerging regional artists a chance to share their music with more than 5,000 music fans at Riverboats, whilst hopefully discovering some future MainStage acts along the way.”

The new initiative arrives as Riverboats prepares to mark 15 years on the Australian festival calendar, having established itself as a fixture of regional Victoria's live music landscape.

Taking place from February 19-21, 2027, at Echuca's Aquatic Reserve on Yorta Yorta Country, the anniversary edition will feature The Cat Empire, Spiderbait, The Waifs, Troy Cassar-Daley, Fanny Lumsden, The Herd, Pierce Brothers and many more. 

While the anniversary lineup brings together established Australian and New Zealand acts, the Dungula Discovery Stage will create an additional pathway for emerging regional performers to connect with fresh audiences. 

Applications for the Dungula Discovery Stage close Friday, December 11th, 2026. 

Eligible artists can find further information and submit an application via the Riverboats Music Festival website.