Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4

Dashville, Lower Belford

They’re shoulder to shoulder, a swaggering wall of smiles and instruments.

Every square inch of the Townes Hall Stage is filled with Dashville Progress Society, a musical collective that coalesces especially for events here at the eponymous Lower Belford property Dashville.

It's Sunday night and the high-energy party band, with over 20 members, is a showcase of the Hunter’s immense musical talent.

As DPS rocks through another full-blooded set, including Creedence’s Born on the Bayou, Gillian Welch’s Look At Miss Ohio, and Neil Young’s Cinnamon Girl, it’s apparent that Dashville is more than just a peaceful Eucalypt-studded farm.

In this modern era it is the spiritual home of Maitland’s musical legacy.

And this new event, Dashville Skyline, is a perfect outlet for the crop of musicians that gravitate to the property’s other festivals, such as Pigsty in July, The Gum Ball and the one-off Rolling Stones tribute Dashville on Main Street.

The artists invited into DPS are country, folk and rock purists, each completely at home in Skyline’s Americana theme.

Somehow this little corner of Australia is channeling the spirit of its pun namesake, Nashville, Tennessee, and cultivating a group of world-class musicians.

Amongst the DPS mob are Dan and Magpie Johnston, both sons of the property’s owner Dash, playing alongside the likes of Lyle Dennis, Gleny Rae Virus, Dave Wells, and two celebrated Melbournian ring-ins, Ben Salter and Van Walker.

DPS deliver an appropriately dirty and virile cover of Tom Waits’ Goin’ Out West, with the Grand Junction’s Ben Quinn on vocals, and a stomping mash of Helpless, Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door and Lucinda Williams’ Something About What Happens When We Talk, with William Crighton, Mick Daley and Melody Pool on vocals respectively.

Tonight the collective are providing an epic finale to the inaugural Dashville Skyline, which has been two sweltering but relaxed days of American-inspired music, food and culture.

The crowd has been beaming brighter than the rays bearing down on them from the cloudless sky, tracing every tree’s outstretched shadow with their deck chairs.

There’s been so much music to absorb.

Amongst the numerous jewels of the weekend’s acts are the lush three-part harmonies of country-folk group Green Mohair Suits, and the stark, slinking electric guitar of Olympia, who captivates with her crystalline vocals.

The gorgeous belles that make up All Our Exes Live in Texas melt the crowd’s hearts with their four-part harmonies and catchy piano accordion-laced folk.

And many young rising stars make a name for themselves at Skyline.

Sydney duo Betty & Oswald impress with their smooth inter-lacing voices and slow-burning folk pop, as does the lilting, dreamy delivery of Ben Wright Smith.

Saturday’s night-time festivities include a powerful solo performance from Ben Salter, who puts chins in Dashville’s dirt with his rendition of tracks like Boat Dreams, No Security Blues and his finale The Stars My Destination.

Then Shane Nicholson, with full band, is in country rock mode, followed by raucous, swampy seven-piece Papa Pilko & The Binrats.

One of the undisputed highlights of Skyline is Saturday’s final act, William Crighton, whose band features singer-songwriter Jason Walker on guitar.

With loud folk-rock anthems, a stirring rendition of Neil Young’s Powderfinger and an imposing Cash-like presence, Crighton is a performer to behold.

There is a deep Australian-accented inflection on the words that burst from his black forest of facial hair.

With a wide stance and ragged blue jacket Crighton is like an outlaw ridden in from the surrounding wilderness, here to drink and howl and be gone by dawn.

During his set Crighton invites Dashville’s owner, and Maitland’s answer to Max Yasgur, Dash Johnston to the stage.

Dash is in a festive mood and thanks the audience for their lively yet responsible behaviour on his property.

Patrons then return to the campground for a night-cap and precious sleep in preparation for Sunday’s bumper-to-bumper line-up.

Mid-afternoon Melody Pool drops by Dashville for one of her trademark sublime performances.

The Kurri singer-songwriter, accompanied for the Skyline show by cellist Madeleine Becker, confirms that in November she is Nashville-bound to make her anticipated second record.

After sunset Bahamas, who have travelled from Canada, create sensual gospel-inspired folk that mesmerises the attentive Sunday night crowd.

Tall, dark and handsome frontman Afie Jurvanen croons numbers that echo of J.J. Cale’s laconic charm and The Magic Numbers’ attention to pop nuances.

Four-piece Wagons, led by titular hero Henry Wagons, bring the festival alive with their Southern-fried rock.

Wagons, resplendent in his leopard-print jacket, invites All Our Exes Live in Texas on stage for a monstrous version of Chase the Eclipse, before a loving cover of Elvis Presley’s Never Been To Spain.

Rock band Holy Holy are a polished outfit, filtering alt-country influences through a spacey Brit-rock sensibility.

Their anthems are served well by irresistibly large guitar parts.

House of Cards is a standout, as is the set’s epic closer You Can’t Call For Love Like a Dog.

Fans of raw, old-school blues get their fill from Goatpiss Gasoline, led by Van Walker and Hank Green, who get a considerable number of booties shaking with their ragged, electric show.

A memorable feature of Dashville Skyline has been the Sunset Super Round, an early evening covers showcase that took place on both days.

Artists on the festival’s bill take turns to perform their favourite classic Americana tune.

Worthy mentions are Lyle Dennis and Alice Williams’ version of Kenneth Brian Band’s Last Call, Holy Holy’s cover of Young’s Southern Man, Melody Pool’s and Ruby Boots’ duet on Lucinda Williams’ Fruits of My Labor and Crighton’s brilliantly dark take on Neil Diamond’s Solitary Man.

And Skyline’s food is top notch, with punters spoiled by Harry’s moreish schnitzels, Nighthawk Diner’s sinfully amazing fried chicken burgers and Bovine and Swine Barbecue Co.'s mouth-watering brisket.

Beverages are plentiful, with Young Henry’s bar offering a wide range of beer, cider and spirits, and coffee provided by East Maitland’s very own Bearded Cactus.

Everyone here at Dashville Skyline has experienced and witnessed something very special, an event that will be talked about over many beers to come.

Although its Americana theme pays homage to the legends of old, whose immeasurable influence can be felt in the original live bands who pass through Maitland, Dashville Skyline has ultimately become a celebration of this colourful, organically cultivated musical community.

Who needs Nashville when we have Dashville?