Russelling up $ for the Community
He is a distinguished member of the ARIA Hall of Fame, and Russell Morris’s continuing popularity with audiences demonstrates the affection and esteem that he still commands as a true OzRock icon. He is one of Australia’s most enduring performers.
A major pop star in the late 60s, he went on to become one of the country’s first singer/songwriters.
In 2013 Morris released an album of self-penned blues music, Sharkmouth, which has achieved platinum status with sales now in excess of 100,000 copies.
Sharkmouth is a blues album about Australia’s notorious and colourful characters of the 1920s and 30s.
Russell headlines the Northern Rivers Community Foundation Fundraiser at the Bangalow Bowlo on Sunday at 2pm with Goodrich.
Tickets are $45 and are available at Oztix.
Beaten but not bruised
Beaten Bodies return from hibernation with their brand-new offering The Royal Road.
Formed in 2012 to quench a mutual thirst for funk and R&B, their debut EP saw the band touted as a fresh new group to watch.
Inspired by the current musical climate and with a growing need to experiment, their music has evolved since those early days and now Beaten Bodies occupy a space somewhere between the dank hip-hop beats of The Robert Glasper Experiment and the neo-soul grooves of Erykah Badu.
Friday at the Brewery from 8pm.
Hey Big Tippa
Anthony Henry – aka Tippa Irie – emerged from England’s Saxon Sound International, the star-studded travelling sound system that has been at the forefront of the UK reggae dancehall scene for the past 25 years and helped launch the careers of artists such as Maxi Priest, Papa Levi and Smiley Culture.
Tippa Irie was part of the new generation of British MCs who developed the ‘fast talking’ style of chat that today can be heard in modern-day rappers such as Busta Rhymes.
Tippa Irie has produced fifteen albums to date and has a string of number-one hit songs to his credit including Hey Mama with the Black Eyed Peas, Hello Darling, Raggamuffin Girl (featuring Peter Hunnigale), and many more. To this day, Tippa Irie remains one of the most requested reggae entertainers internationally.
Impressed with Tippa’s rapid-fire lyrical, Jurassic Five asked Tippa to record together and the end result was a wicked Tippa and Charli 2na combination entitled The Struggle. The rap world took notice and soon enough Tippa was once again summoned to record with some of the music industry’s biggest stars.
Most recently Tippa was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Rap Song category for his collaboration with Black Eyed Peas’ Will-I-Am on Hey Mama, a track featured on the international chartbusting Elephunk.
He’s hitting Byron Bay with his energy dancehall show on Thursday at the Byron Brewery at 8pm.
Moses comes to Byron
Afromoses is back by demand to Cafe Oska and will perform another fantastic dinner show with help from Jason Burns and other exciting guests!
This amazing artist, playing 14 different instruments himself, has recently released a new track recorded in his home country Ghana, so keep your ears and eyes open for some groovy African flavour in the Byron shire.
Limited space, so secure your ticket for the show at Cafe Oska on Saturday.
Exhibit A
The jewellery and metal artists of Hammer and Hand are holding their much-anticipated winter exhibition opening night. This winter’s theme is ‘Exhibit A’ – each of the 12 members of the eclectic collective will be showcasing something from their new collections. The collective has been running for five years, supporting and showcasing local jewellery and sculpture artists. Come and enjoy mulled wine, hot soup and live music by the Moondog Gypsy Blues band. Friday at Hammer and Hand at the Byron Bay Arts and Industry Estate at 5pm.
Delicious Birthday Beats
Delicious is turning four! To help celebrate their incredible four years at the Lismore City Bowlo, Frou Frou welcome to the dancefloor none other than DJs Lady K, Craig Wilson aka 1iSamurai and super special guest Vonnstar ‘live’ on sax.
So get on down to the Lismore City Bowlo, Saturday. Doors open 9pm, and the show goes till 2am. Entry is $15
Holy Holley
Ten-year-old Holley Sommerville has proved to be something of a singing sensation. A member of the Earth Guardians, Holley is a kid on a mission.
She has participated in many projects, including the anti-fracking movement, non-chemical weed control, and many others.
Holley has written and performed many speeches and songs and school projects, and been in newspaper and magazine articles for her work.
Holley has always had a love of nature, people and animals, and cares very deeply about these things, spending many hours in the gardens and nature as a young child. She performs at the Club Lennox at 2pm this Sunday.
Perks & Charles
Tex Perkins has played a key role in Australian music, with a career that has taken in everything from the ground-breaking experimental punktonica of Sydney mid-80s noiseniks Thug to the lilting, dark country of his recent material with The Dark Horses.
From the hard-edged pub rock of the Beasts of Bourbon, to the evocative soundscapes of The Cruel Sea, Tex has heralded the emergence of an entirely original yet archetypically Australian sound. In the early 90s Perkins joined forces with the legendary Don Walker, Cold Chisel’s pianist and master songwriter, and Charlie Owen, previously Australia’s best-kept musical secret, for the unforgettable Tex, Don & Charlie.
Charlie Owen and Tex are good friends, and they will be teaming up for this intimate show. This is a night not to be missed. Friday 27 June. Doors open 7.45pm. Support is Jamie Lockhart from 8.30pm.
Tickets: $30pp. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ballinarsl.com.au or at the box office at the Club or on 6686 2544.
Wilson cracks a Coopers
The north coast’s own sons of rock, the Wilson Cooper Band, kick off their winter Big Night Out at The Middle Pub this Saturday.
Front man Gaz has sung up a storm from Hayters Hill to Honolulu. Lead guitarist Roy’s rock career started in the US when he saw his first live band, The Who, and he’s never looked back. He has played with many great north coast bands from the mid 70s, and has relocated to the north coast.
The rhythm section features the monstrous bass tones of JJ La Moore and the boys are stoked to feature local drummer Matt behind the kit as regular drummer.
Junior is off to Canada for a rock sabbatical. Wilson Cooper kicks off at The Middle Pub this Saturday at 7.30pm.
Shaking up the Shack
This Saturday at the Sheoak Shack catch Rod Murray and Steve Dixon when they present a contemporary edge to classic jazz piano ballads as well as acoustic blues guitar with a touch of jazz and light rock.
Electric Forest Solstice Celebration
This Saturday Electric Forest presents the 2014 winter solstice celebration in their favourite venue, Kohinur Hall. Featuring DJ Magu and DJ Pumpernickel, Electric Forest events create a unique festival atmosphere where self-expression, freedom and personal journeys can meld into a positive life-affirming experience through dance within an immersive multimedia environment. From 7pm.
The Sound of Stone
Ku Promotions are soon to present Lou Van Stone. With a sound that is constantly evolving, Lou combines soaring, ethereal vocals and lush harmonies with ambient instrumentation.
A classically trained soprano, she has also performed with some of Australia’s leading names in jazz. Lou merges different styles and influences to create a unique sound that’s inspired by her love of mantra and sacred sound.
Lou has recorded seven albums, including Awakening To Big Nature Feelings, produced by Rick Price, and All Is Well with producer Leonardo Guardo.
Lou is currently in the studio, completing her latest album Line To Divine with producer Michael Worthington, due for release in June 2014. Kulchajam, Byron Arts and Industry Estate from 7pm on Friday 27 June. Tix: $15 (+bf), $20 door.Available www.kupromotions.com.au.
The Audreys
Featured recently in Echonetdaily, The Audreys are playing the Currumbin Soundlounge this Friday.
Supported by Brendan Gallagher – Doors open from 7.30pm, show begins at 8.30pm
Full Marks for Groucho
Frank Ferrante recreates his international triumph as the legendary Groucho Marx in this fast-paced comedy packed with songs, stories and inspired audience interaction. Groucho Marx and the Marx Brothers revolutionised the world of comedy.
From vaudeville to Broadway to film, they made millions laugh. In fact Groucho is today considered the father of modern comedy, whose influence extends from Jerry Seinfeld through to Woody Allen. Irreverent, satirical, social comment that was always cutting edge, dangerous and ahead of its time.
Catch this remarkable show at the Byron Theatre on Friday 27 June at 7.30pm.
BellyLaugh in the Beergarden
This month comedy lovers are in for a treat when the monthly BellyLaugh Open Mic takes place in the Byron Brewery beergarden. This free comedy night sees comedy hopefuls, professionals with new material, and those bitten by the comedy but get up and give it a shot on the open mic. Hosted by Fiona McGary, a comic who brings her everyday observations to light. Fiona has performed all over the country alongside Australia’s best comics and appeared on the ABC, The Comedy Channel, and Seven’s FMVTV comedy series. Brilliant, insightful, and fall-down funny. Byron Brewery 8pm on Thursday. Free
A double dose of Hard
The Hard-Ons are a punk rock band from Sydney, Australia that originally formed in 1981. They have been called Australia’s most commercially successful independent band, with over 250,000 total record sales.
2014 sees the Hard-Ons turn 30, and their anniversary Australian Tour will see Murray, Blackie, Keish and Ray playing ‘requests only’, featuring songs from the Keish era before he left the band.
The Hard-Ons play the Hotel Great Northern this Thursday night and the Coolangatta Hotel on Friday.
The United States of Amnesia
Gore Vidal has possibly had a more profound effect on the worlds of literature, film, politics and historical debate than any other twentieth-century writer. Anchored by intimate one-on-one interviews with the man himself, Nicholas Wrathall’s multi-award-winning documentary is a fascinating and wholly entertaining portrait of the last lion of American liberalism.
Commentary is by those who knew him best, and blends with many years of fascinating footage from Vidal’s legendary on-air career to remind us why he will forever stand as one of the most brilliant and fearless critics of our time. Winner of many awards and also Best Documentary at the recent Byron Bay International Film Festival.
Don’t miss it. There will be a Q&A with the director. Screening as part of Travelling Flicks at the Drill Hall in Mullumbimby on Saturday.
Film tickets: $15/13 Mullum Bookshop. 6.30pm – hearty hot soups / chai / cake, 7.15pm film.
The Tender Thorne
Lucie Thorne was featured this week in Echonetdaily
Lucie plays at St Martin’s in Mullumbimby at 8pm on Saturday.
Tickets and info at www.mullummusic.com.
The Nutcracker Cracks
The Royal Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker was a huge success during its first screening in Australian cinemas late last year, so much so that encore screenings are being presented in select cinemas.
Key scenes include a fierce battle between the toy soldiers and the army of Mice led by the Mouse King, and the famous dance of the sugar plum fairy, danced by Royal Ballet principal dancer Laura Morera, with Federico Bonelli as the prince.
The Nutcracker screens at Palace Byron Bay Cinema at 1pm on Sunday and 11am on Wednesday 25 June. Tickets $21–24 available at the Palace box office, phone bookings 6680 8555, or online at www.palacecinemas.com.au.
The Return of the King
Academy Award-winning film director Sam Mendes (Skyfall, American Beauty) returns to London’s National Theatre to direct Simon Russell Beale (NT Live: Timon of Athens, Collaborators) in the title role of Shakespeare’s epic tragedy, King Lear.
When the ageing Lear decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters according to which of them is most eloquent in praising him, his favourite, Cordelia, says nothing; Lear’s world descends into chaos. The National Theatre’s King Lear screens at Palace Byron Bay Cinema on Saturday at 1pm.
