On Thursday, he said this year’s festival was “the best ever” with “record crowds” at his gigs.

The musician and his band have been playing to full houses, with gigs at eight venues over ten days.

“The gigs have been off the scale, in a good way,” he said.

“In previous years, one or two gigs would be bigger and you’d have a flat spot during the week but every show I’ve done… there’s not a spare seat in the house and they stay to the end,” he said.

“Every gig we’ve done has been chokers. At Diggers, the place was full before we started. If one person left, one person took their spot,” he said.

“The positive energy we got back from them was incredible. The whole room seemed to breathe in unison, like-minded people.”

Dan said there were so many people at one of his South Bowlo gigs that his own friends couldn’t get in.

“I got there 5:30 for a 6 o’clock and it was a full house and they had to lock the doors,” he said.

“It’s a really nice problem to have. Totally unexpected and really appreciative of everyone turning up.”

The musician said there seemed to be a new crowd following his band during the festival.

“I do a survey every gig of who hasn’t seen us before,” he said.

“A third hadn’t been to one of our gigs before.

“They stayed, and bought albums, which for a singer-songwriter, that’s the best compliment of the lot.”

Dan has been playing at the festival for more than 12 years and said this year was a stand-out.

“The crowds seem to be bigger this year and especially earlier in the week,” he said.

“It’s just a really positive vibe all over town. All the venues are seeing big numbers, right through the week.

“We’re running out of time [at gigs] - it’s just effortless.

“Rather than, it’s hard work and you’re crawling to the finish line, this year, we’re sad we have to stop because we’re having so much fun.”

Dan is increasingly performing his original songs backed by his band.

“We’re getting encores everywhere,” he said.

“People are coming up and saying our show is the best show they’ve seen all festival. There’s so much quality entertainment here all week, to hear that is incredible.

“It’s only taken me about six years to believe in my originals but now I’m really telling my stories and singing my songs and the crowds are really giving the love back to me and it really bodes well for the future and I’m just in a happy place.”

Dan said his band had been an “incredible” support to him at the festival.

“They’re putting in 110 per cent,” he said. 

“They’re making my dream a reality for me.”

Dan said a highlight of the festival was playing with guitar extraordinaire Redd Volkaert.

“I’m getting to work with Redd Volkaert who is a living legend. He’s actually agreed to be my guitarist for a whole gig at West Leagues. Just not guest spots here and there - for a full show,” he said.

“It’s just incredible. It’s mind blowing. I can’t wait.”

The musician is playing his last gig on Saturday night and heading home to the Hunter on Sunday morning.

“There’s always a degree of depression after these sorts of shows - so much fun for the week and then it’s all over and back to reality,” he said.

“It’s such a rush every day getting to do what we love in this environment. 

“It’s such an intensive sort of week of constant excitement and all the feel-good endorphins you pump and when it all just stops, you flick a switch and it’s back to reality. It’s quite a noticeable phenomenon in this industry.”

Dan said a bond formed between musicians when they performed together.

“It’s a team, it’s family.You get to know each other and appreciate each other’s contribution,” he said.

He praised his band for their support during the festival who were “going the extra mile”.

“I can’t give a bigger shout-out to my band,” he said.

“They’ve just been incredible every gig. They’re putting in 110 per cent.

“They’re making my dream a reality for me.”

To keep up to date with Dan’s gigs, visit his Facebook page.

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