The Myponga Festival -- its proper title was "The Australian Festival of Progressive Music" -- was held on the traditional festival date, the Australia Day long weekend, from 30 January to 1 February 1971. 15,000 people attended.
The front page of the promotional flyer for the festival said:
"Music Power presents at Myponga, South Australia on January 30th, 31st, February 1st, the first Australian Festival of Progressive Music. The promoters believe that in keeping with world trends of freedom of expression and thought in all fields of art, literature, and music, Myponga 71 will be an exciting, aesthetic and elevating experience through progressive music."
Although there is little information available today, the Myponga festival was important for several reasons. Myponga was the venue for the first Australian performance by leading British heavy rock group Black Sabbath and it is believed to have hosted the Australian first performances by visiting Hungarian jazz-rock group Syrius, which featured the late Jackie Orszaczky.
It was also the first Australian visit by leading UK heavy rock group Black Sabbath. Then at the peak of their form, the band turned in a fine performance and it is reputed to have been by far the best of their several Australian appearances. The other major overseas act scheduled was Cat Stevens, but his appearance was reportedly canceled just before the festival began. Stevens eventually toured here in for Paul Dainty in August-September 1972.
Myponga was also an important event in the careers of two leading Australian groups -- Daddy Cool and Spectrum. Spectrum's successful appearance was some months before their national hit breakout with "I'll Be Gone"
The same was true for Daddy Cool, which at the time was still part of Wilson and Hannaford's larger Sons of the Vegetal Mother project. DC had been warmly received at Wallacia and when their Myponga set totally eclipsed the Vegetals it was clear that Daddy Cool was far more popular than their parent band, so Sons of the Vegetal Mother was soon shelved for good. Film maker Chris Lofven was on hand with a movie camera to capture some of the DC set and this footage (often mistakenly thought to be from Sunbury) eventually found its way into Chris' landmark film-clip for Daddy Cool's debut smash-hit single Eagle Rock.
It is believed the festival was held on private farm land several hundred meters to the southwest of this cache's location. Please be careful as this cache is located in close proximity to a busy road with cars traversing these corners at speed. A safe parking waypoint has been provided and is a short walk to the cache. Good Luck