News

Winter Blues 2026 | That’s a wrap!

By Riverine Herald

Jul 24, 2026

Jesse Redwing rips up the stage at the wrap party. Photo by Jemma Jones

Echuca Moama is buzzing as the Winter Blues Festival kicks off for another huge weekend - and The Riv is right in the middle of it.

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We're roaming the venues to capture the best sets, the biggest crowds, and all the festival action as it happens.

Need to plan your festival route? Click here to read our excellent feature on the weekend.

Be sure to keep an eye on our Instagram (@rivherald) and Facebook pages all weekend for rolling updates and photo galleries.

If you see us floating around with a camera, come say G'day!

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That’s a wrap!

If you weren’t lucky enough to make it to the Echuca Moama Winter Blues Wrap Party, at the Moama Bowling Club let us be the first to say: it’s a wrap!

Outgoing committee chair Laurelin Berick and incoming chair Laura Graham have confirmed that this year’s festival was one of the biggest in its history.

An estimated 15,000 music fans travelled from across Australia to rock out, support our local towns, bring incredible energy to Echuca Moama all weekend long and looked fantastic while doing it.

There are still a few final acts wrapping up tonight, so stay safe, enjoy the music, and have a safe trip home. Thank you to everyone who made this weekend unforgettable.

If you’re local, look to Tuesday’s paper for full coverage with the best photos from the weekend.

But if you can’t wait until then, or you’re from out of town, take a look through this gallery at our entire weekend coverage.

See you in 2027!

Winter Blues committee members Jon Howell, Laurelin Berick, Naomi Murray, Laura Graham, Jefferson Smith and (front) Warren Lowry and Maryanne Elkin. Photo by Jemma Jones

Chrissy Hanan, Kaz Manders, Maria Parker, Kez McKay and Merryn Thomas. Photo by Jemma Jones

Pam Macdonald, Peter Scott, Lisa Hoggard and Phil Laxton. Photo by Jemma Jones

Allan and Lyn Vander Linden with (back) Filomena Bua. Photo by Jemma Jones

Joe Jackson, Jesse Redwing, and Eyan Lund. Photo by Jemma Jones

Terry Rowe, John Maiden and Brad Hutchinson. Photo by Jemma Jones

Rachel Mines and Kris Bolitho. Photo by Jemma Jones

Outgoing committee chair Laurelin Berick speaks at the wrap party. Photo by Jemma Jones

Chair Laura Graham and sound producer Jon Howell speak to the work done by the committee this year. Photo by Jemma Jones

David Heathcock, Mandy Bridgers, Liz Higgs and Bruce Boadle. Photo by Jemma Jones

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Sunday vibes along High St

Happy Sunday, Echuca Moama!

The sun is out, and the music is officially underway for the final day of Winter Blues.

High St was the place to be this morning, featuring acoustic sets at local shopfronts and the Songwriters Studio Showcase at Hopwood Gardens.

Check out our latest photos above from last night’s highlights, and check back tonight as we wrap up the weekend with full coverage from today’s final acts

Songwriters Studio Showcase at Hopwood Gardens. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

LilG plays at Beechworth Bakery. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Moondog Blues plays at Echuca Chocolate Company. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Rory Phillips Trio at Hopwood Gardens. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

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Echuca Moama caught the Saturday night blues

Echuca Moama was the only place to be on Saturday night, with the Winter Blues Festival in full swing and party mode well and truly switched on.

19 Twenty and Ray Beadle brought down the house at the Echuca Hotel, while the Frank Sultana Blues Band rocked the American. As for me? I spent the evening kicking back with a cocktail at Paradise Bar to the soothing sounds of Jarrod Shaw.

However you spent your night, we hope you made it a good one.

The Riv’s photographer Jordan Townrow was out on the town capturing all the action.

Scroll through our gallery below — did we catch you in the crowd?

David Bell, Paul Clear, and Dylan Bradshaw at the American Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

19 Twenty brings down the Echuca Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Beth Sheargold, Kristy Nagle, Siraya Mountford, Paula Sheargold, Hannah Mortlock at the American Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

John Gwilliam from 19 Twenty at Echuca Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Oscar LaDell at Echuca Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Jan Mansbridge, John Caldwell, Brian Mansbridge, and Lindy Caldwell at Echuca Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

19 Twenty with Nathan Cavaleri at Echuca Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Shradha Sapkota and Sumit Khakurel at the American Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

19 Twenty at Echuca Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Kane Dennelly for 19 Twenty. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Crowds gather at the American Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

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Early birds get the blues

While some were still recovering from Friday night’s festivities, early risers were already out in force on High St to kick off Saturday of the Winter Blues Festival.

Wrapped in heavy layers, crowds gathered at Hopwood Gardens as Uncle Rick Ronnan performed a traditional smoking ceremony for the official Welcome to Country.

From there, festivalgoers scattered across Echuca - stopping in for live sets by Eddy and the Exciters at Beechworth Bakery and Lovely Accident at the Echuca Chocolate Company.

Our photographer Jordan Townrow was out capturing the morning action. Scroll through to see if we caught you in the crowd!

Cheryl Adams, Judith Clark, and Deb Taprano at Echuca Chocolate Company. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Uncle Rick Ronnan performs a smoking ceremony at Hopwood Gardens. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Winter Blues committee, secretary Emily Thorpe, family space coordinator Chelsea Pollock, deputy chair Naomi Murray, and chair Lauren Graham. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Michael and Bec Riswick with Phil and Caroline Peat. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Locky Ukers perform at Hopwood Gardens pavilion. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Parker Erdevicki getting his face painted. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Julie Rockford, Fiona Ibbotson, Carla Plymin, Ann Lazarus, and Pauline Porter at Beechworth Bakery. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Jordan and Parker Erdevicki at Hopwood Gardens. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Jordan Erdevicki getting his face painted. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Lovely Accident performing in front of the Echuca Chocolate Company. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Crowds gathered at Hopwood Gardens. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

***

So about last night...

Friday night delivered in full force. Festival-goers flooded local pubs for drinks, dancing, and non-stop good times.

Missed out on the action? We’ve got you covered. Scroll through The Riv photographer Jordan Townrow’s gallery to relive the best moments of the night.

Mick Connelly, Ian Martinez, Tracey Krahnert, Karen Simpson, Phil Enough, and Mick Bottomley at the Bridge Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Nathan Cavaleri at the Port of Echuca. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Tiffanee Boatwood and Kerry Cosson at Bridge Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Rory Phillips Trio take over the Gypsy Bar. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Tracey and Ian Oakman take to the dance floor at Echuca Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Jesse Redwing at the Bridge Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

The McNaMarr Project take to the Shamrock Hotel stage. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Cass Eager at the Echuca Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

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All the Friday afternoon action at Winter Blues

Winter Blues officially kicked off on Friday afternoon, with locals and visitors packing out venues across town.

The Riv’s Jordan Townrow was on the ground capturing the atmosphere as the music got underway.

Did we see you?

Vanessa De Jong, Chris Perry, Eddy De Jong, Meg Telford, Marie Anne Arnts and Bill Megchelen at the Americal Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Peter and Susan Powell at the Port of Echuca. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Jess and Aeysha Brooks at the American Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Phil Coyne and The Wayward Aces at Bridge Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Adam Perkins, Eva Ingram, Taylah Martland, and Heather Walton at the Port of Echuca. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Salt and Steel at the American. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Oscar LaDell at the Port of Echuca. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Cameron Penwill and Barb Cornish at the American Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Port of Echuca packed out for the one of the first sets of the weekend. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Harry Schlegel with his two parrots. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Paul Bradbury and Gwenda Carothers at Bridge Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Tania and Ty Mullen at Echuca Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Mike Wale and Claire Adams at the American Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Karen O'Callaghan, Pam Lee, Denise Altman, Janine Carruthers and Rhonda Battye at Echuca Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

George MacFloyd Blues Band at the Shamrock Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Chrissie Dayman, Kerry Tripp, Paul Dayman, Paul Tripp, Fiona Dyett, and Paul Dyett at Echuca Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Brenda Trueman and Sue Graham at Port of Echuca. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Paul Queeney, Steve Brady, Mark Hallit, Andrew Glauser and Paul de Botton at Echuca Hotel. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

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High stakes and hot blues at Echuca races

Echuca-Moama locals and visitors combined a love of racing and a love of blues on Friday, July 24.

The trackside entertainment included performances from Pete Campbell and The Lazy Dog, Sweet Felicia and The Honeytones and Jimi Hocking’s Blues Machine.

Riv photographer Jordan Townrow was track-side capturing the action.

Winter Blues is off to a great start. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Dan Connelly, Craig Connelly, Paul McGann, and David Mandouit. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Colour Circle won race three, trained by Brian McGrath, jockeyed by John Michael Allen. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Paul Mamro, Fiona Mamro, George Seitz, Lisa Field, Greg Bishop, Graham Baggs, and Jill Baggs. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Deb Frizon, Patrice Evans, and Stewart Bannatyne. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Pete Campbell and the Lazy Dog take to the Echuca Racecourse stage. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Kim Pollock, Rodney Pollock, Sean Hoolohan, and Jackie Campbell. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Sweet Felicia and the Honeytones up at the racecourse. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

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Sweet Felicia dazzles Winter Blues crowd

Sweet Felicia, of Sweet Felicia and the Honeytones, was among the first to perform this year, taking the stage on Thursday, July 23.

Click here for the full Jaci Hicken story.

Sweet Felicia and the Honeytones, a well-known band at the Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival, performed with a four-piece lineup this year. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

“The vibe was absolutely incredible and there was just so much love, it was great,” Sweet Felicia of Sweet Felicia and the Honeytones told *The Riv* on her Thursday gig. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

***

Winter Blues kicks off!

Thursday, July 23, was the opening night of the Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival, and The Riv photographer Jordan Townrow was out and about among the people and the music, popping into the Echuca Hotel and on to the Echuca wharf.