Festival goers were transported to another time and place as Human Nature lit up the main stage with their showstopping Vegas show, bringing the 10th Birdsville Big Red Bash to an epic close.
Shaking things up from the festival’s usual Aussie rock lineup, the charismatic quartet thrilled the crowd of over 11,000 with a sensational set of Motown’s biggest hits including “Dancing in the Street,” “Ain’t too Proud to Beg,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “Stop! In The Name of Love” and other Motown classics.
Before Human Nature, Aussie singer-songwriter Pete Murray charmed the crowd with his melodic guitar melodies and heartfelt tunes, providing the perfect soundtrack to an unforgettable evening.
“I’ve always wanted to play at this festival. It’s beautiful weather now and it’s such an amazing, unique spot to play. I’m a fan of some of the bands that have played so it’s an honor to be on the line-up with them,” said Pete Murray.
Other artists rounding off the incredible closing day line-up were Dragon, Wendy Matthews, Grace Knight, and Melanie Dyer & Caitlyn Shadbolt. Wendy Matthews, Melanie Dyer, Caitlyn Shadbolt, Miranda Carey, Grace Knight, Robyn Loau, and Kate Ceberano took the stage to deliver electrifying performances of Tina Turner’s greatest hits, including “River Deep”, “Simply the Best” and “Proud Mary”. The tribute was a fitting homage to the legendary performer’s extraordinary career.
Earlier in the day, 5,838 fancy-dressed festival goers boot-scooted their way to a new World Record for the largest Nutbush City Limits Dance – adjudicated by the Australian Book of Records.
The new world record smashed the previous mark of 4,084 dancers, which was set at the 2022 Birdsville Big Red Bash.
Dancers stepped it up in the costume department with thousands rocking up in their best Tina attire, while others opted for more eclectic outfits – from Where’s Wally, to 60s flower power, and hippos in tutus.
The 50th anniversary Nutbush City Limits world record attempt was Australia’s most elaborate tribute to Tina Turner with the spectacular dance off taking place below the Simpson Desert’s legendary 40-metre-high Big Red sand dune – the largest of its kind in the world.
The Nutbush has collectively raised more than $640,000 for the Royal Flying Doctors since 2016 with this year’s bush dancers kicking in $87,570.
Festival owner and Managing Director of the Outback Music Festival Group, Greg Donovan, took to the stage to thank revellers; “What an amazing event. Anyone who made it to the 2023 Bash is a legend. Thank you all for supporting us, we love you.”
The dress ups didn’t stop at the dancers though. The Big Red Bash also hosted a Doggie Desert Fashion competition to crown the outback’s most fashionable fur babies.
Festival-goers and their furry friends paraded in style, tails wagging as they showed off their pawesome outfits. From cowboy collies, spider staffies to princess poodles, the canine fashionistas stole the show.
Running from July 4-6, 2023, the family and dog-friendly Big Red Bash is estimated to bring $15 million in economic benefit to regional and outback Queensland. In Birdsville, the renowned Bakery is reporting daily sales of close to 1,500 curried camel pies and 900 coffees as festival goers travel through to the iconic event.
The outback town is usually home to a population of around 150 people.
The Big Red Bash is produced by the Outback Music Festival Group, which also stages the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash taking place in outback NSW in August. The sold-out event is headlined by ICEHOUSE, Hoodoo Gurus, Human Nature, Pete Murray, Kate Ceberano, Troy Cassar-Daley, Dragon and many more. For more information, visit www.mundimundibash.com.au.
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