Hope Estate vineyard has announced a new three-day country music event to replace the departed CMC Rocks the Hunter festival.
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The venue has responded to the wave of public outrage that followed the shock announcement that CMC Rocks would relocate to Queensland in 2015
The new event is called Campfire Festival and will be held on the same weekend that CMC Rocks was initially confirmed for next year - March 13 to 15.
Hope Estate has said the festival will feature a top line-up of Australian country music talent.
“After CMC’s unexpected exit, we were overwhelmed with messages from the music community,” Hope Estate owner Michael Hope said.
“So many people were looking forward to spending the three days here with their friends, it had become an annual and planned ritual for them.
"They’d already booked flights and accommodation, and wanted to know how they could help bring the show back."
Hope Estate has become an increasingly popular concert destination.
The venue regularly hosts up to 20,000 fans in its amphitheatre, with the likes of Bruce Springsteen playing two nights in February this year and The Rolling Stones and The Eagles around the corner.
“All the major promoters now view Hope Estate as a world-class venue capable of hosting and delivering world-class shows.
"It’s a testament not just to our own people, but the whole Hunter event community that pitches in to show visitors a great time and unforgettable experience."
Hope Estate has said Campfire Festival will "feature bigger staging, a wider variety of food and beverage options including craft beer from the new onsite microbrewery and a new five-star camping facility all with its beautiful vineyard setting as the backdrop".
Campfire Festival also has a system in place to let fans help choose the line-up.
Ten of the 15 acts scheduled on the B-Stage will be chosen via an online audience member vote leading up to the event, giving up-and-coming performers a chance to perform to an audience.
“So many people have written in to us suggesting acts," Mr Hope said.
"There’s a strong sense that the Campfire Festival can really belong to fans and we want to harness that energy and help build the next generation of Australian country stars.
"It’s a great chance for new acts to score a paid gig that will get them noticed."
There will also be a busking competition voted by punters using a phone app, with the winner getting a paid slot on the main stage.
“The whole Hunter region is ready to get behind this event, and with the passionate support we’ve already felt from the fans, we think Campfire Festival 2015 will mark the start of something great,” Mr Hope said.
No line-up details have been confirmed.
