A major new festival is coming Hedland’s way as the Town launches Oddysea - Music and Arts Journey

A massive music festival is heading to Port Hedland with major artists from around Australia coming to town for two weekends in a row. The Oddysea - Hedland Music and Arts Journey festival will run over the last two weekends in August this year and take place at the Port Hedland Civic Centre Gardens. The first weekend features an opening night dance party on Friday, August 18 and on Sunday, August 20 Australian music icon Peter Combe will play his classic songs during the kids’ day out. Between these two shows, King Stingray will headline the concert on Saturday, August 19 with support from South Summit, Spici Water, and Broome artist Adele Oliver. Mayor Peter Carter said the festival, which has been organised by the Town of Port Hedland, will satisfy the town’s craving for live entertainment. “The Hedland community has missed having an annual music and arts event and I’m pleased to be able to reveal our plans for a fresh new offering spread over two weekends,” he said. “The double arts weekend will open with a chance for people to dust off their dancing shoes with the electronic sounds of Fremantle DJ Josh Grainger, alongside roving performances, interactive lighting installations, and delicious food offerings.” The second weekend of the festival starts with the Big Ole Comedy Night on Friday, August 25, with stand-up comedians Chris Sin, Jon Pinder, Brodi Snook, and Janelle Koenig coming to town. Damien Power, who is a three-time nominee for most outstanding show of the Melbourne International Comedy Circuit, will perform during the comedy night as well. Then on Saturday, August 26 Adelaide Fringe Festival favourite band 27 Club will come to town to perform a live rockumentary with music and stories about the 27 Club musicians such as Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix, and Kurt Cobain. The whole festival will be closed out by Afrotopik Beats, who are joined by Tina Zando, Soukouss, and Grace Barbe on Sunday, August 27. Cr Carter said the diverse range of entertainment at the festival would provide something for everyone. “The council thought carefully about how to design an event that appealed to a range of different groups within our community and enabled shift workers to participate,” he said. “As a result, Odyssea was created — a music and art journey across two weekends in August with a different style of entertainment on offer each day. “There is something for everyone on offer at Odyssea — an event that pays homage to our home by the sea and all the different adventures on offer over the two weekends.” BHP will sponsor the event and general port manager Cindy Dunham said the festival was a great opportunity to bring a live showcase of some of Australia’s best artists to town. “BHP is proud to sponsor the inaugural Odyssea Hedland Music & Arts journey, celebrating talented local artists from right here in WA,” she said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to bring the Pilbara community together through music and entertainment.”