Much-loved local band Late November will be among the headliners on a stellar line-up of musical acts at this weekend’s Palm Creek Folk Festival.
The lads have risen quickly through the ranks at Palm Creek, first appearing on the Festival’s Stomp Box stage in 2018.
Band member Kodie Redfern said their debut at the Festival carried some fond memories.
“I remember it being packed,” said Kodie. “It’s one of the smaller tents, so it’s good for musicans just starting out to see that despite it being a smaller stage it still draws a crowd.
“That was a good feeling and it really assured us that we wanted to keep chasing it.”
Returning to headline the Mountain Stage at this year’s Festival for the second year running is proof that the chase is well and truly afoot.
“It’s cool that people are digging us and they want to keep getting us back,” Kodie said.
“Our performance fees are increasing too, which means there’s more stuff we can do.
“Our long term goals are a Japan tour, definitely an Aussie tour, but as a pre-cursor to that we want to be a touring support band.”
Locally, the group has already supported some heavy-hitters on the Aussie music scene including Lime Cordiale, Jungle Giants, Ball Park Music. San Cisco and Eve Karydas.
“We’d like to play a part in putting Townsville on the map as an Arts hub,” said Kodie.
“Living in a regional area can be a bit of a hinderance to building a music career. We can’t just go to Brissie and play a show – we have to book four days off work so we can drive down, play, drive back; or hope that the gig’s paying enough that we can all fly, but that hasn’t happened so far.
“That said, we can do some cool stuff here, too. You can put on your own shows, get some good support bookings and build a nice network.”
Kodie said this weekend’s two shows at Palm Creek Folk Fest will be big ones – with more band members than he can count!
“We’ve got the full band, so we’re a seven-piece with two extra horns. Oh no, I think we’re an eight-piece this weekend. I lose track!
“I think it’s an eight-piece because we have Michael on keys for his last, last show with us. It should be pretty full-sounding if all goes to plan. Expect it to be fun and dancy, too.”
Late November will perform twice at Palm Creek Folk Festival, 9-12 June 2022.
