The Rock or Bust music festival is the brainchild of Gail Driscoll, who jumped at the chance to create an event out of the release.  

Ten bands were announced as finalists in early November.

Committee member Sarah Verdon said the festival had a two-fold effect.

“We want the event to be a great opportunity for musicians, but also for lovers of music to celebrate  Australian music culture,” she says.

Verdon says the festival is by the community, for the community.

“The event was conceptualised and established by locals for the benefit of our community,” she says.

Gympie-based band All For One can’t wait to arrive, says vocalist Jake Whittaker.

“The opportunity is unreal, we’re doing our own thing and playing how we want,” he said.

“We’re going in as a fresh face.”

Whittaker says the music backgrounds of the band are varied.

“I met Aidan, our bassist, at the Australian Institute of Country Music,” he says.

“That’s where I got most of my training, and I’ve played with X-Factor winner Caitlyn Shadbolt.”

Whittaker says the long road trip will be a great time for the band to bond.

“We’ve found out it’s 15 hours on the road just for a one-way trip,” he says.

Sisters Doll drummer Bryce Mileto says the festival would be a new experience.

“We’ve never done something so big before,” he says.

“We’ve been lucky to play at Groovin’ The Moo and support Kasey Chambers and Darryl Braithwaite going up the east coast.”

Mileto joins brothers Brennan on vocals and Austin on bass on stage, where they always try to bring energy.

“Since day one we’ve said if we’re playing to two or 5000 people we will always give it 110 per cent,” he says.

Both Whittaker and Mileto spotted the advertisement online.

“My brother saw it and he said he’d put something in,” Bryce Mileto says.

“We were over the moon when we were announced.”

Whittaker says the new All For One line-up is excited.

“We decided to put in a video and got the good news via text message,” he says.

The festival gates will open at 9am.