Coco Republic
Byron’s monthly tropical party is back this weekend with Coco Republic FSTVL 2 hitting the Brewery. Live music kicks off the event in the beergarden with Jock Barnes performing at 1–4pm, then the tropical vibes kick off with the outdoor stage providing funky good-vibe music all the way through till close. The Rave Cave launches at 8pm in the old piggery band room with a churning pit of bass lines and crisp house music, accompanied by a mesmerising light show.
Dance the night away to Al Royale, Lippo, Mr Ha, Yes, Hot Robb, Ben Popp, Sammond, Anton Leaf, Leoch, Palangi Phil and more. The Party Shirt People will once again be selling their tropical shirts to raise money for local charities, as well as glitter body painting, temporary tattoos and free palm fronds to wave around like crazy. It’s all happening this Saturday at the Byron Bay Brewery from 1pm. Free entry before 5pm, $10 after.
Bunny Racket
Bunny Racket is here to rock you. Whether you are three or 103 years old, you will not be able to resist the beautiful madness of King Bunny and his gang of fluffy punk rock friends.
A couple of years back, King Bunny, along with Brant Bjork (Kyuss) and Robby Krieger (The Doors), burrowed down in the southern Californian desert to create a sound that would bring all generations together in rock’n’roll harmony. King Bunny grew up in the early 80s and still wears his love of hard rock and pop culture on his sleeveless battle jacket.
The Bunny Racket sound is heavily influenced by the likes of The Ramones, KISS, Black Sabbath and The Muppets among others.
Bunny Racket’s debut album Rock’n’Roll Animals strikes a (loud) chord for all of us who pine for a time where being a kid meant endless freedom. Buy the ticket and take the ride, because classics such as A Chicken is Not a Fruit and Never Shake a Rattlesnake[/will have you grooving uncontrollably.
Bunny Racket serves up ageless, timeless, goodtime rock music for everybody. So get loose, get nostalgic and get into it… because it truly is on for young and old. The kids will love it. Saturday 1 July, Brunswick Picture House. Tickets at brunswickpicturehouse.com.
Live music & art
Doni Raven & the Collective Insanity bring music and art together when Doni’s performance is accompanied by live painting and projection by abstract artist Hamish Gordon. Modern contemporary art is created before your eyes while the band plays the raw energetic compositions of Doni Raven. Each unique piece of art will be created, capturing the intensity and emotion of the music, and auctioned on the night. Experience the arts like never before and watch as the performance comes to life on canvas; colours and imagery custom designed and in tune with the vibe and feel of live music. Brunswick Picture House on Friday 30 June at 7pm. Adults $30/$25.
Go bananas for Bella Fontes!
Lay down your bananas and let The Bella Fontes take you on a sun-kissed frolic back to the golden age of calypso. The Bella Fontes celebrate the radiant sounds of this bygone-but-not-forgotten era with a cabaret cocktail of calypsonian classics, gorgeous harmonies, infectious dance moves and hilarious enthusiasm, all presented in technicolor vintage style. Featuring the musical and theatrical genius of Nadia Sunde, Andrea Soler, Parissa Bouas and Alex McCleod, this multitalented team of enthusiasm experts bring their love of world music, audiences and each other to the fore in this exciting ensemble. The setlist is crafted from the best of vintage calypsonian music (Harry Belafonte being the hero!), contemporary songs (performed in a calypso feel) and original compositions from a multi-awarded songwriting quartet. A runaway success at recent Woodford, Bleach and Wintermoon festivals! Not to be missed! With support by Carl Cleves of The Hottentots. Saturday at Club Mullum. For tickets go to mullumexservices.com.au.
Piano Bar for Ballina RSL
The Ballina RSL has a swanky new piano bar. Featured this week on the keys is Narelle Harris, who has been playing piano and singing for many years and has performed in lots of countries around the world.
She did her training at the Sydney Conservatorium of NSW in classical piano. Narelle then moved on to playing with various musicians and also solo performance in many piano bars across Europe. Cruise ships were a regular gig as well. The styles of music that Narelle enjoys playing are classical, pop tunes, musical theatre, movie themes and swing tunes. Narelle currently performs with a trio called Dean Doyle with Sophistication, who have been performing together for 10 years. Friday at the Ballina RSL new Boardwalk Piano Bar at 4.30pm.
Gypsy guitar
In early 2016, European Gypsy guitar great Lulo Reinhardt and emerging Australian world jazz fusion multi-instrumentalist Bart Stenhouse decided to join forces for a concert tour across Australia in 2017 to explore their shared passion for various world music traditions.
A mutual friend put the two in contact and the idea grew quickly from there. In their joint Australian performances they will be drawing from Lulo’s vast back catalogue (exploring both his dynamic latin swing and swinging manouche material) and Bart’s past three original world jazz albums (which combine heavy influences from Spanish flamenco, north Indian classical and modern jazz traditions). Lulo and Bart will be performing in solo and duo formations as well as featuring local rhythm sections and guest musicians consisting of some of the best musicians in each city.
Gypsy swing and latin fusion from the great nephew of jazz legend Django Reinhardt meets the emerging world jazz fusion multi-instrumentalist Bart Stenhouse. Not to be missed! Thursday 6 July, at Bangalow A&I Hall. Tickets are $35 and are available from the website at https://bookings.bangalowtheatre.com.au.
And for northern rivers musicians, Lulo is also running a special one-off masterclass on Friday 7 July at 11am–1pm also at the A&I Hall to share his vast knowledge and experience with participants! Tickets are $30 (+ online booking fee) and are available at www.bartstenhouse.com/events.
Ring my Bello
In just over a fortnight, world-class acts including NZ dub legends Salmonella Dub; US Dylan-esque singer/songwriter Joe Pug; Gomez’s guitar-shredding Ben Ottewell and Australia’s much-loved Mama Kin and Spender (to name a mere few) will grace the stages of Bellingen for the third annual Bello Winter Music. Not only will Bello Winter Music bring back the continual stream of mesmerising, toe-tapping, tear-jerking and belly-laughing live music, comedy and street performance over four days; this year there will be an additional New Orleans-style street parade on festival Sunday as well as a free outdoor show with special festival guests on the Church Street platform on Saturday morning – both events proudly supported by Kombu Wholefoods.
As always the festival marketplace will be bringing good vibes and a selection of local food and artisan talent to the weekend while the 2BBB-FM crew will be broadcasting live from the Bellingen Greengrocers. Meanwhile the Bellingen LeaF Program presents another solid schedule of interesting and educational eco, cultural and wellbeing workshops for all to attend.Tickets are selling fast for Opening Night and festival Saturday so don’t delay. There are still some camping spots available through the festival website, and don’t forget the beautiful bell tent glamping option with The Stylish Camping Company with luxury airbeds and lots of blankets included. A big thanks to all who have helped to bring it together and to the local businesses who entered the Window-Dressing Competition;
Bellingen looks fantastic!
6–9 July. For tickets and info go to bellowintermusic.com.
