Nannup Hotel to host replacement event after Nannup Music Festival was cancelled due to COVID -19

Nannup may be without its premier annual music festival this year, but two venues have teamed up to bring a scaled-down version with a stellar line-up. The Nannup Hotel and Nannup Brewery Co. will together host the new Nanno Music Fest over the Labor Day weekend, with the two pubs set to be pumping for three days from March 4. It comes after the annual Nannup Music Festival was cancelled last month, with organisers citing uncertainty from COVID-19. The newly announced event will take place at the two locations with many of the original Nannup Music Festival acts taking to the stage, including Adrian Dzvuke, Humble Armada, Whiskey Jack and Little Lord Street Band. Nannup Hotel owner Russell Poliwka said the idea for the festival came about when the Nannup Music Festival was shuttered, to try and help the local businesses in town. “It was really disappointing news,” he said. “For local hospitality, it’s one of the biggest weekends of the year, businesses are already doing it tough, so it was a real blow. “Not to mention how hard it is for the performers out there, with all the uncertainty they face during COVID.” Mr Poliwka said he then approached the Nannup Brewery Co. and it was then they decided to host a smaller scale event for the people of the area. He said although there would still be a risk with COVID-19 it was worth trying to bring the music boon to Nannup. “We both agreed to take a risk and put on some live music for the weekend anyway,” he said. “It’s all a bit short notice, but we decided to take a chance. If we pull this off, it’s great for the town, good for the musicians and for everyone who just wants to have some fun this Labour Day weekend.”