Castlemaine Idyll
CASTLEMAINE IDYLL: RETURNS 15 MARCH 2025
IDYLL 2024: A RECAP
Castlemaine Idyll 2024 was our biggest yet!
Held on Saturday 23 March, it featured 30 live performances, an extended running time (how great was that after-show DJ's & dancing?!), hot outfits, great catering and absolutely perfect weather - with a crowd of almost 1000 lovely people!
And, for the very first time, we introduced CIKK!! CASTLEMAINE IDYLL KIDS KARAOKE on the small stage. Oh those young humans were amazing.
The Idyll judges for 2024 were beloved broadcasters, writers and musicians Casey Bennetto & Clare Bowditch, along with the brilliant Louise Terra.
Plus the usual live broadcast from our supporters at community radio station MainFM - which you can listen back to on Mixcloud via the links below.
What's it really all about?
Castlemaine Idyll is like a cross between a reality tv show, your high school eisteddfod, and the best karaoke night of your life. Local hopefuls apply to sing a song in front of the crowd, but unlike a shoddy karaoke bar in the city, these crooners are backed by a sh*t-hot professional band, complete with horn section and backing singers. The primary fundraiser for lot19, Idyll has been running for over 15 years.
Idylls Gone By -
Idyll 2023
Castlemaine Idyll is Castlemaine’s ultimate annual talent contest, and has been running for over 12 years.
Featuring hot local talent, a hugely talented professional band, celebrity judges and a community uniting joyously in support, the theme for Idyll 2023 is ‘Shine’. First and foremost a ridiculous amount of fun, Castlemaine Idyll is also the annual fundraiser for lot19 artspace.
Idyll 2022
A joyous crowd of all ages gathered at Lot 19 on Sunday March 20 for Castlemaine Idyll 2022 – one of our favourite Idylls yet!
Hosted by our regular MC Dion Brownfield, the event also featured a beautiful Acknowledgement of Country from Nalderun CEO Kathryn Coff, who encouraged event-goers to remove their shoes and connect with country.
People’s feet certainly got a workout dancing and celebrating musical treats to the theme of ‘Chutzpah’. The band, backing singers, and performers gave it their absolute best – which was glorious for all involved. A massive thanks to all of them for bringing such joy and a shout out to all the wonderful volunteers, the event team, our judges Clementine Ford, Patrick Furze and Aurora Kurth, Shedshaker Brewing for running the bar, and MainFM for their live broadcast. You can listen back to Castlemaine Idyll 2022 via the MainFM website.
Idyll Through The Years
Castlemaine Idyll is a major fundraiser for Lot19
We would like to acknowledge the support of the Victorian Government and Mount Alexander Shire Council in the form of two grants. We are grateful to be able to run such events for our beloved community. Follow us on Facebook. Images: Diana Domonkos
