The Peninsula Picnic Returns in 2016 with Missy Higgins

The picnic basket just got tastier! We are excited to welcome the incredibly talented multi ARIA Award winner Missy Higgins, bringing with her a catalogue of sweet hits for picnickers in 2016. Joining this year’s menu of music, with his blues and roots flavour will be sonic virtuoso Kim Churchill, Powderfinger guitarist extraordinaire Darren Middleton giving the Peninsula a taste of his solo offerings, rising Adelaide folk star Timberwolf and Shoreham local singer songwriter Ruby Whiting.

Roll out your picnic rug, and relax to the sweet sounds of some of Australia’s finest acts, while taking your taste buds on a trip to heaven discovering the best food, wine and produce from Peninsula favourites, our full list of food and wine providores will be announced in the coming weeks.

After a sold-out inaugural event, the Mornington Peninsula’s most extensive food, wine and music gathering, The Peninsula Picnic, is returning this March with a bigger line-up, a larger site, plus even more gourmet restaurants, decadent wineries, fresh local produce and quality artisan wares.

With a country harvest atmosphere, The Peninsula Picnic takes place over one unique day in the leafy and sea-salted surrounds of Mornington Racecourse, and is the recipe for that perfect regional escape or family day out.

A Menu of Music

Missy Higgins
Over the last decade Missy Higgins has become one of our most beloved singer/songwriters. Her first three albums, The Sound of White, On a Clear Night and The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle, have sold more than a million copies. They’ve each gone to #1 on the Australian charts and each has also been recognised with ARIA Awards.

In September 2014, Missy released her fourth studio album OZ, an eclectic mix of Aussie cover versions also accompanied by a quirky book of related essays. The album received rave reviews on release and in the accompanying OZ book, Missy uses each of the recordings as the starting point for a sprawling series of essays; reflecting on life, love, music and much more.
Watch the clip for ‘Everyone’s Waiting’                                                                                   

Kim Churchill  

Kim has already accomplished impressive feats in his short time as a professional musician. He is recognised as much internationally as he is in his homeland, having performed headline shows, festivals and supports alike all over the planet. In recent years he has opened for Billy Bragg and Michael Franti, and performed at many notable festivals such as Montreal Jazz, Glastonbury, Cornwall Boardmasters, Victorious, Womad, Beautiful Days, Telluride Blues, SXSW, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Byron Bay Blues Festival and many more.

Kim Churchill matches his lyrical artistry with fierce vocals; he is a sonic architect, using his instruments to create landscapes to animate his lyrics. Live, he is a true virtuoso.

Watch the clip for ‘Window to the Sky’

Darren Middleton
Darren Middleton is best known for his contributions to the legacy of Australian music as the guitarist in iconic Brisbane band Powderfinger who took the nation by storm dominating the Australian charts from their humble beginnings in 1992, right up until their disbanding in 2010. Now, Middleton steps out solo once again, announcing release of his upcoming album ‘Splinters’, a follow up to his 2013 full length debut solo album ‘Translations.’

With each new song, Darren sheds a splinter of his soul, carving unique stories that join together in creating a solid body of work that has as much depth as the strongest of heartwood.

Watch the clip for ‘Our Road’

Timberwolf

Rising Australian Indie / Folk Artist Timberwolf is the moniker for Christopher Panousakis, a 24 year-old singer/songwriter from Adelaide. With strong roots in 60’s/70’s blues and rock, his take on modern folk music emulates soulful but cryptic songwriting, complimented by a melodic blend of guitars and vocals.

Watch the clip for ‘Whiskey Jar’

Ruby Whiting

Ruby’s love of music started at a young age, dabbling in a variety of instruments such as cello and piano, and now settling with guitar and voice as her musical vehicle. After completing high school she took a few years off and found herself writing and playing music increasingly often, developing her own sound and spending time with fellow musicians. Growing up in the sleepy beach town of Shoreham on the Mornington Peninsula, she once felt most comfortable in the slow and the quiet. A decision to study at RMIT took her to Melbourne’s northern suburbs, where she now calls home. In the last year she has been playing alongside friend Harrison Storm in his own project, occasionally in his 6 piece band and more commonly in a trio along with Justin Lewis. 

Listen to ‘Forgetting to get Old’

Tickets on sale now from www.peninsulapicnic.com.au