43rd Top Half Folk Festival by Hugh McDonald
A Small Festival in the Top Half of Australia. I flew into Alice Springs from Melbourne to perform at the Top Half Folk festival with my two guitars, an overnight bag and my usual mixture of anticipation and apprehension. I was excited to be the “headline” act for the first time in my solo career. I’d experienced this many times previously as a member of Redgum, both in the ’80’s and more recently with our new band, the “Vagabond Crew”, but this was different, I was on my own and felt considerable pressure to deliver the goods. No sooner than I had touched down...
Read More43rd Top Half Review by Jeff Corfield
Review of the 43rd Top Half Folk Festival by Jeff Corfield 18/6/2013 Pictures by Gordon Young Just like good old Cooper’s Sparkling Ale it was cloudy but fine when we pulled into Glen Helen for our first ever Top Half Folk Festival in the spectacular McDonnell Ranges west of Alice Springs. It’s been a long time between Top Half drinks for me – 9 years in fact – and the last time Mary River 2004 I supplied the bloody drinks, at my Wort’s and All home brew workshop that year. Since then distance, work and commitments to our own local Palm Creek Folk Festival (held the same weekend) have...
Read MoreWhere is it?
Glen Helen Resort, Namatijira Drive, is approximately 140 kms along the bitumen, west of Alice Springs. The homestead is set on the banks of the mighty Finke River, with spectacular views of the Western MacDonnell Ranges. The Gorge and waterhole are a few minutes walk along the river bed. Head west out of Alice along Larapinta Drive, past Simpson’s Gap and Stanley Chasm, keep going and then turn right onto Namatijira Drive. Follow signs to Glen Helen. You may like to stop at Ormiston Gorge on the way.
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