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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Alex Crowe

'We weren't going to miss this': Return of Stonefest music to the ears

Sharny Shand and Luke McGuiggan, inset, were among the fans enjoying artists such as Arno Faraji, main. Pictures by Keegan Carroll

Students marked the return of Stonefest on Saturday, making the most of the sunshine for the annual University of Canberra gig.

The concert was held at the Bruce campus for the first time in three years, following a COVID hiatus.

The annual event, marking the anniversary of the laying of the university's foundation stone, hosted a combination of both local and interstate acts.

Ruby Fields, Vera Blue, Luca Brasi, Hope D, Arno Faraji, Archie and Miroji completed the lineup.

Caleb Fielder and Tate Pietrala made the long journey from Port Lincoln to be part of the festivities. Picture by Keegan Carroll
Crowds enjoying the music at Stonefest. Picture by Keegan Carroll
Alicia Hargraves, Orange Manwaring and Sarah Bradley. Picture by Keegan Carroll
Sharny Shand and Luke McGuiggan. Picture by Keegan Carroll
Stonefest 2022. Picture by Keegan Carroll
Jackson Keen, James McIntyre and Liam Neindorf. Picture by Keegan Carroll
Arno Faraji. Picture by Keegan Carroll
Stonefest crowd. Picture by Keegan Carroll
Emma Schirmer and Zara Wills. Picture by Keegan Carroll
Crowd enjoying the music at Stonefest. Picture by Keegan Carroll

Caleb Fielder, 19, and Tate Pietrala, 21, drove eight hours from Port Lincoln to Adelaide, flew to Melbourne and then on to Canberra to catch Ruby Fields.

"Friday night we'll always catch up for a couple of beers and have Ruby Fields on," Mr Fielder said.

"We weren't going to miss this."

Sally McMillan, Jessica Heller and Roy Barnes enjoying the music at University of Canberra's Stonefest on Saturday. Picture by Keegan Carroll

In a quieter concert than years past, about 1200 tickets were sold in 2022 for the long-running show.

Sally McMillan, a design and communication student in her third year, said it was sad missing out for the last couple of years.

"In my first year of uni we had lots of gigs and everything and it was just so exciting to be a university student," she said.

"It's so important to have things like this - I'm so thankful for Stonefest."

Eamonn Dortmans, 21, said it finally felt like Canberra was back to somewhat normal.

Mr Dortmans said he was there to see Hope D, an alternative pop-rock singer from Brisbane.

"I'm an absolute diehard fan," he said.

"I saw that they were playing and got my ticket instantly."

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