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Local talent set to perform

Ann RawlingsCountryman
Band Refractory Road, of Northam.
Camera IconBand Refractory Road, of Northam. Credit: Refractory Road

The Northam-based musicians behind Refractory Road are geared to set the stage alight at Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days, in a sundowner session like no other.

Touted as playing “gritty, full-blooded, beer-soaked, pub-sweating rock and blues”, the group includes rhythm guitarists Lloyd Reidy and Glen Dunkerton, who alternate on lead vocals, as well as Grant Scollay on lead guitar, Jay Carter on bass guitar and Kim Holten on drums.

The musicians write and perform music that relates to life in Australia and champions the personalities and events in its history, with an on-stage presence that commands an audience.

Alongside the blues and country rock vibe of WA act Tom Fisher and the Layabouts, Refractory Road will be headlining the field days sundowner, on Wednesday in the GWN7 Entertainment Pavilion from 4pm until late.

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Their performances this field days are part and parcel of a collaboration with West Australian Music, the peak body that nurtures musical talent across the Wheatbelt.

WAM regional officer Nigel Bird said a number of regional artists were set to play live on both days of the event, as part of a special Wheatbelt Songwriters Showcase as well as unique pop-up performances across the site.

Mr Bird said several of artists performing this year had also contributed to the organisation’s latest compilation, Demos from the Wheatbelt.

“This is our second snapshot of what the Wheatbelt region sounds like and it is nothing short of impressive,” he said.

“I’m most excited to see, and hear, the reactions of people in the Wheatbelt to these 10 songs created and recorded in their own backyard.”

While not tied specifically to Dowerin Field Days, Mr Bird said the event would be a “soft launch” for Demos from the Wheatbelt, with the work officially released August 30 in Merredin.

However, he said participating songwriters would feature at field days, in solo mode, as part of the Wheatbelt Songwriters Showcase, on the GWN7 Entertainment Pavilion on Wednesday at 12.30pm and Thursday at noon.

Mr Bird said artists performing included Georgia McAlpine, Kelly Gardner, Polly Medlen, Sue Munns and Tim Beckingham.

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