Mundi Mundi Bash dances into history

The dust has settled and spirits are high as the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash has once again danced its way into the record books. In a truly epic display of outback spirit and community, 6,248 festival-goers gathered to break the world record for the most people doing a Freeze Frame Dance, smashing the previous record of  2,754, set at the Birdsville Big Red Bash in July.

The event was nothing short of spectacular, with thousands of costume-clad Bashers creating a sea of colour and joy on the iconic outback plains, from dinosaurs to Disney princesses.

The Bashers also attempted to break the record for the most people doing the Nutbush Dance. While the bootscooters fell just shy of the existing record of 6,594 boot-scooters set at last year’s Mundi Mundi Bash, the 6,515 tickets sold for the event still raised an outstanding $97,725 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).

The Nutbush City Limits dance—a fan favourite at both the Mundi Mundi Bash and Birdsville Big Red Bash—is a uniquely Australian phenomenon that epitomises the wacky and wonderful Aussie outback spirit, making it the perfect fit for this true blue celebration of music and mateship. 

The Nutbush and Freeze Frame dances are not just about fun and games—they are serious matches in the ongoing “State of Original” dance battle between Queensland and New South Wales. Bragging rights for both records now sit with New South Wales, alongside the record for most people making the shape of a country, set at Big Blue Day on day 1 of the 2024 Mundi Mundi Bash.

“This year’s Mundi Mundi Bash has been the biggest and best yet, with 14,000 people making the pilgrimage to the Plains,” said Greg Donovan, Festival Founder and Managing Director of the Outback Music Festival Group. “To see so many people come together for a cause as important as the RFDS is what being n Aussie is all about. The funds raised by events like these are vital to ensuring that the RFDS can continue to provide critical services to rural communities.”

“We would like to thank everybody who took part in the Nutbush World Record attempt. While we didn’t break the record, we still retained the title from the unbelievable effort last year and the event was an incredible success, said RFDS South Eastern Section CEO Greg Sam.

“All of the proceeds raised for the RFDS through ticket sales and participation in the Nutbush, and the Mundi Undi Run, go directly towards supporting our work providing the finest healthcare to outback Australians.”

The Nutbush was followed by an iconic Mad Max Record Attempt, which saw 298 War Boys, Feral Kids, Dementus’, and Max Rockatanskys gather to attempt the world record for the most Mad Max characters gathered in one place. While they fell short of the record of 556 participants set at the 2022 Mundi Mundi Bash, the event still brought a taste of Hollywood to the outback.

The record attempt holds extra significance this year, with the recently released blockbuster Furiosa filmed on Belmont Station in  2023.  Director George Miller AO and his crew moved into the Mundi Mundi Bash site and utilised a lot of the infrastructure the Bash has brought to an otherwise remote location. 

Both the Mad Max Record Attempt and Nutbush Record Attempt honour the late rock n roll queen, Tina Turner, whose iconic performance as Aunty Entity in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome was honoured by many festival attendees.

The Mundi Mundi Bash has once again proven why it’s a must-attend event, not just for music lovers, but for anyone who wants to experience the heart and soul of the Australian outback. This record-breaking event has solidified its place as a key economic driver for rural towns and local communities, with the influx of visitors providing a significant boost to the Broken Hill region.

Still to come tonight are powerful performances from Fanny Lumsden, Hayley Mary, Sarah McLeod, Vanessa Amorosi, Baby Animals, Chocolate Starfish, the legendary Jon Stevens, and of course, the Tina Turner Tribute.

The Mundi Mundi Bash was produced by the Outback Music Festival Group, which also stages the Birdsville Big Red Bash which took place in outback QLD in July. For more information, visit www.bigredbash.com.au. 

What:                        2024 Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash – SOLD OUT

Where:                      Belmont Station, on the Mundi Mundi Plains 9km north of Silverton - 35km north of Broken Hill

When:                       15-17 August 2024

Full line up:              Shane Howard, Pierce Brothers, Mark Seymour, Casey Barnes, Darryl Braithwaite, Ian Moss, The Living End, Furnace & The Fundamentals, Ash Grunwald, Richard Clapton, Diesel, Tim Finn, The Rolling Stones Revue, James Reyne, Bjorn Again, Tha Boiz, Fanny Lumsden, Hayley Mary, Sarah McCleod, Vanessa Amorosi, Baby Animals, Chocolate Starfish, Tina Tribute and Jon Stevens.

More info:                 www.mundimundibash.com.au