Summer, now a distant memory, takes with it long lazy days by the beach, endless barbecues and of course a myriad of music festivals too. But while it may seem like the perfect reason for hibernating and curling up by the fire, you couldn’t be more wrong.  Jessica Schumann lets you in on why you should be peakin’ out in Perisher for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. 

Temperatures are about to plummet (if not already) as winter rolls on in for another year. The last of the leaves have reluctantly released their clutch on the warmer days of autumn once the chilling winds started to blow in from the Brindabellas.

But besides letting nature recuperate and regenerate for the next few months before spring bounces back in, there’s plenty of reasons to enjoy winter. And no I don’t just mean sipping on hot chocolate and marshmallows.

If anything, it’s the perfect time to soak up the magic of the snowfields and start peakin’ out in Perisher.

Now in its sixth year, Australia’s only snow music festival – the Perisher Peak Festival is almost here. With one week exactly until more than 130 concerts and 35 bands beat their sounds on 10 on-snow stages you can bet your mittens that there will be plenty of soulful sounds to warm you from head to toe, across the snow season opening weekend.

So if you haven’t already, you might want to reconsider taking off Friday for this one.

Celebrating with a fresh new look and a new name, the Opening Festival Cocktail Party on Friday night will kick start the weekend at Smiggins Hotel where the undefinable percussionist sounds of Richard Preso will deliver more energy than a power station. Hang on for a musical journey that will redefine the term multi-instrumentalist.

Over at the Man, you won’t want to miss the driving blues of, pretty much the world’s best ‘one man band’, Claude Hay who has made an about face and formed a ‘real band’, The Gentle Enemies for the release of his new 2014 single. Perisher will see Claude break the blues shackles to unleash his inner rock god but he most definitely has forgotten his roots.

From morning to midnight, Saturday will be unstoppable with a mountain of music driving a snowstorm across the 10 on-snow resort venues. And before you even bother stressing about what to do with the kids, everyone in the family is welcome!

Perisher Peak Festival is so family-friendly they’ve even created a whole new youth stage, the South East Arts dedicated to just the young ones that will run all day Saturday and Sunday. Hilarious puppets, sublime song and even an opportunity for young aspiring musicians to shine, even the most jaded teens will want to check it out. Under-15s get in free with a paying adult.

When the suns sinks below the peaks, so does the temperature so shiver your way to Smigs and warm up with the divine harmonies and chilled ballads of The Little Stevies. The gorgeous and symphonically inspired songs of this Melbourne duo will leave you floating on an ethereal cloud of romance.

But if infectious afrobeats are more your flavour, then get ready to jump around to the tribal rhythms and solid West African grooves of the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra. Delivering sounds inspired by Nigeria and its neighbours, this Orchestra brings contemporary African funk to the dance floor.

Chill out by the fire at the Sundeck Hotel to catch the arresting 2014 NT Australian of the Year, Shellie Morris—a fine indigenous singer songwriter whose latest album is sung entirely in the language of the Gulf Country. Through her songs Shellie shares her life and through heartfelt music she speaks of shared experiences and stories delighting audiences around the world. But despite her worldly exposure, she is one of many artists firmly rooted in her community.

The festival’s music development initiative, Peak Upload, gives unsigned Australian artists the chance to battle it out for a foot-in-the-door of the music industry. Attracting an abundance of entries this year, three finalists have been selected from over 50. A little cooler than most music festivals, you’ll definitely want to catch the finals on Sunday afternoon.

Sunday night will be huge with an avalanche of headliners including hip-hop supergroup The Herd. A fiery and electrifying live group, the eight-strong Sydney collective have a rather unconventional set up performing with two MCs, two vocalists, an acoustic and an electric guitar, bass, piano, accordion, clarinet, laptops and samplers. So unless you’re there next Sunday, you can only imagine the raw and honest sounds that are set to come out of this group.

The soulful sounds of Karen Lynne Bluegrass Circle and the speakeasy cool of Jordan C. Thomas will see you ease back into the week as you wind down from the festival frivolities.

From country to bluegrass and everything in between, Karen Lynne Bluegrass Circle are likely the industry’s quietest achievers. There is a special, haunting quality in Karen’s voice, and combined with a mixture of great songs, including her own original compositions and collaborations with some leading writers (Heather Field, Allan Caswell, Richard Porteous, Pat Drummond & Mark Selby (USA)) makes her truly unique and one performance you’ll definitely want to hear.

With a genuine respect for old world cool, Jordan C. Thomas reject the modern fads and fashion in music, taking influences from turn of the century swing, jazz and beatnik art forms. Hard swinging, the six piece ensemble pumps out original music with an energy that is gritty, real and undeniably hip.

So come rain, hail or snow there’s no excuse to miss Australia’s one and only—Perisher Peak Festival this long weekend and experience some true winter magic on the snowfields.

The essentials

What: Perisher Peak Festival

When: Friday 6 June to Monday 9 June 2014

Where: Perisher Resort, Perisher Valley

Tickets: 4-day and 1-day passes available here.

Checkout the full lineup here.

 Get lucky!

We’re giving one lucky reader the chance to win a 4-day double festival pass to enjoy the very cool sounds of Perisher Peak Festival. Simply answer the following question: “What is the name of the ‘world’s best’ one-man band performing at the Peak Festival, and why would you like to win tickets?”

Leave your answer below in the comments. Competition closes Wednesday 4 June @ 11am. The winner will be notified by 5pm the same day.

THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED!