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Riverboats Music Festival

Friday 14 February 2025 to Sunday 16 February 2025

Get ready to soak up the sun, music, and river vibes at the 2025 Riverboats Music Festival, held in Echuca-Moama. Nestled under majestic red gums by the Murray River, this much-loved festival brings together an unbeatable blend of live music, stunning scenery, and the charm of historic paddlesteamers gliding by. With just one stage, you’ll enjoy an intimate experience with plenty of space to dance, relax, and explore delicious food trucks.

The 2025 lineup features headliners Ian Moss, The Cruel Sea, and John Butler, along with top talents like Dan Sultan, Little Birdy, and Bic Runga. Rock and roots lovers will feel right at home as each day brings a fresh mix of artists, including indie rock, alt-country, and rising stars in Australian music.

Returning for another year, Brian Nankervis will MC the event, and the beloved Paddlesteamers sideshow will once again set sail. Tickets are on sale now, so secure your spot for an unforgettable Valentine’s weekend on the river.

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Riverboats Music Festival returns with bumper 2025 line-up

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There’s few festival experiences more relaxed than being splayed out on the banks of the Murray River on Yorta Yorta Country, enjoying live music under red gums as paddle-steamers float by. 

That’s the slice of heaven offered by Riverboats Music Festival .

One of regional Victoria’s most cherished summer events, with the multiple awards to prove it, Riverboats is back in February 2025 with another impress all-Australian line-up. 

Sounding off at the 13th edition of the event will be the newly reunited The Cruel Sea , showing off their first new material in over 20 years , esteemed Cold Chisel co-founder and solo artist Ian Moss , the powerhouse Dan Sultan , and don’t stray, sway your way to beloved New Zealand songsmith Bic Runga . 

Born performer and roots icon John Butler is also on the 2025 bill, alongside reformed rockers Little Birdy , Grace Cummings and her show-stopping vocals , and captivating Warnindhilyagwa woman Emily Wurramara (fresh from releasing her long-awaited album NARA ).

If that wasn’t enough, you’ve also got indie folk sensation Pierce Brothers , singer-songwriter Dan Kelly and his talented band Regional Crisis , alt-country duo Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits , WA glam rockers T he Southern River Band , and Owelu Dreamhouse – the 10-piece Afro-futurist jam band fronted by ex-Saskwatch bandmates Nic Ryan-Glenie and the soulful Nkechi Anele.

Along with the main event, there’s also Riverboats’ Paddlesteamer sideshows, inviting fans aboard the historic PS Pevensey for an hour-long cruise down the Murray River soundtracked by Emily Wurramara, Pierce Brothers, Skyscraper Stan & The Commission Flats and The Pleasures . 

The family-friendly festival, just two and a half hours drive from Melbourne, also offers a host of dining and accommodation options for out-of-towners to make a full weekend of it. 

Here's the 2025 Riverboats Music Festival line-up in full.

Bic Runga, The Cruel Sea, Dan Kelly’s Regional Crisis, Dan Sultan, Emily Wurramara, Grace Cummings, Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits, Ian Moss, John Butler, Little Birdy, Owelu Dreamhouse, Pierce Brothers, The Pleasures, Skyscraper Stan & The Commission Flats, The Southern River Band, MC Brian Nankervis (RockWiz)

Riverboats takes place on Yorta Yorta Country in Echuca-Moama, Victoria from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 February. Tickets are on sale now. For more info, visit the Riverboats Festival website . 

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A summer of iconic performances

The multi-award-winning Riverboats Music Festival will return in 2025, bringing a bumper line-up to the stunning banks of the Murray River at Echuca.

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One of regional Victoria’s most beloved summer events, Riverboats 2025, takes place on Yorta Yorta country at Echuca-Moama from February 14 to 16, with some of Australia and New Zealand’s most celebrated artists performing over three sun-filled days.

On Friday, February 14, legendary Australian axeman Ian Moss and his full band will kick off a veritable guitar feast, supported by glam rock dogs The Southern River Band and sublime country four-piece The Pleasures.

On Saturday, February 15, acclaimed Aussie icons The Cruel Sea hit the festival stage alongside powerhouse singer-songwriter Dan Sultan, recently reformed Little Birdy, indie folk rockers Pierce Brothers and Grace Cummings, enchanting First Nations singer-songwriter Emily Wurramara and Ballarat’s Skyscraper Stan and The Commission Flats.

Then, on Sunday, February 16, Riverboats welcomes roots icon John Butler to the festival stage, alongside New Zealand Hall of Fame superstar Bic Runga, Afro-futurists Owelu Dreamhouse, Dan Kelly’s Regional Crisis and alt-country duo Hana and Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits.

The festival’s legendary paddlesteamer sideshows are also set to return in 2025.

A true highlight of any Riverboats weekend and guaranteed to sell out once again, music fans are invited on a one-hour jaunt down the Murray aboard the historic PS Pevensey while enjoying performances by Emily Wurramara, Pierce Brothers, Skyscraper Stan and The Commission Flats and The Pleasures.

With its single stage under a canopy of towering river red gums, Riverboats is widely considered one of the most laid-back and family-friendly festivals on the summer calendar.

Tickets are on sale now at riverboatsmusic.com.au

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Peter Garrett, Missy Higgins, Kasey Chambers, Regurgitator Lead Riverboats Festival 2024 Line-up

Some of the biggest names in Australian music are heading for the leafy Victorian terrain from 16-18 February.

Peter Garrett, Missy Higgins, Kasey Chambers, Regurgitator (Source: Supplied)

In February 2024, the beloved music festival Riverboats is returning to its home base of the Aquatic Reserve in Echuca after being forced to temporarily relocate in 2023 due to flooding.

Some of the biggest names in Australian music are heading for the leafy Victorian terrain from 16-18 February, including Peter Garrett & The Alter Egos, Kasey Chambers, Missy Higgins and Regurgitator.

Joining the already-stacked list of names are Tim Rogers & The Twin Set, Russell Morris, Mia Dyson, Tami Neilson (NZ), Kee’ahn, JAZZPARTY, Folk Bitch Trio, The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, Sweet Talk, Patty McHugh, Minor Gold and RocKwiz MC Brian Nankervis .

In addition to all the live music, the Paddlesteamers sideshows are returning in 2024 in partnership with Echuca Paddlesteamers. The paddle steamers’ sideshows will be led by Kee’ahn, Sweet Talk and JAZZPARTY.

Tickets to the 2024 edition of Riverboats Music Festival are on sale now – you can buy them here .

“Echuca-Moama has gone through an incredibly challenging period over the last few weeks, and our hearts go out to all those affected by the recent floods,” Festival Director Dave Frazer commented in a statement about the festival’s move in 2023. 

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“Riverboats has been part of the Echuca-Moama community for over ten years now, and whilst we're sad to be leaving Aquatic Reserve next year, we can't wait to put on a spectacular show at Victoria Park in a few months' time.”

One of the biggest names on the bill, Peter Garrett, with his band The Alter Egos, shared the first taste of his new solo music on Friday (13 October), unveiling the single The True North , from the album of the same name arriving in March 2024. Stay tuned for more news from Garrett in the coming weeks.

RIVERBOATS MUSIC FESTIVAL

Friday, 16 to sunday, 18 february 2024 in echuca-moama.

Supported by Double j

Line up in alphabetical order:

Folk Bitch Trio

Kasey Chambers

Missy Higgins

Paddy McHugh

Peter Garrett & The Alter Egos

The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra

Regurgitator

Russell Morris

Tami Neilson (NZ)

Tim Rogers & The Twin Set

MC Brian Nankervis (RocKwiz)

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