Beats in the Bay music festival returns to Shark Bay for its second year celebrating WA music and arts

A music festival highlighting homegrown talent will return to Shark Bay this weekend, bringing an unbeatable atmosphere of live music and roving entertainment to the region. The event is run and funded by the Shire of Shark Bay, with help from sponsors. The festival has boosted local business, with accommodation providers in the region booked out, which is no surprise after last year’s festival gathered 500 local people — no small feat in a shire of 800 people. Shire community development officer Michelle Fanali said the remoteness of the Shark Bay region meant the community had limited opportunities to engage with arts and cultural events, but gathering substantial crowds was important when the opportunity was presented. The Melodics, Paige Valentine, Figurehead, Noah Dillon and the Southern River Band are among some of the WA musicians expected to take the stage. Fire-twirling, light shows, Japanese drumming, and hula hoop workshops will keep the crowds captivated for the duration of the day. The free community event will be held on the Denham foreshore, with market stalls open at 1pm, and the official opening of the music festival at 4pm.