When Sea Gypsies
The Sea Gypsies are a pirate-gypsy-circus band made up of scallywags performing a visual and auditory feast of original songs, pirate anthems, swinging rhythms and gypsy jazz tunes with circus arts and tap-dancing to ice the cake. With support from Rosie MissChief, DaniDoo Butterfly, Whiskey TroublePants (USA) and an electro swing set by DJ Cyprian.
Step into the rabbit hole. Friday at the Brewery’s beergarden. 8–11pm, free entry!
Jamming with Marmalade
Wild Marmalade are the pioneers of the didgeridoo-and-drum dance concept that is now a global phenomenon. Formed on the streets in Byron Bay in the late 90s they have gone on to tour the world many times over with a strong following, particularly in Europe and Japan. Cirque du Soleil composer Benoit Jutras described seeing a Wild Marmalade street show in Copenhagen as ‘… the most uplifting, energetic live performance I saw in my life… A unique experience’.
Joining forces with Tijuana Cartel’s astonishing flamenco guitarist Paul George, Wild Marmalade’s power duo of didgeridoo and drums reach a new dimension with this potent and melodically rich collaboration. With an ethos of free-play improvisation the trio create waves of energy that take the audience under their dance spell.
In a world where nearly everything is ordered and rehearsed, Wild Marmalade deliver a wholehearted journey into the present moment with a kind of reckless abandon that defies categorisation. Uplifting, inspired, human-powered dance music unparalleled in the world today.
More than music that jumps out of the box, when the drone of the didgeridoo meets the fire of the drum and the passion of the guitar then there is no box.
Saturday at the Byron Brewery with Felicity Lawless. 7.30pm. Free.
Ballina RSL on Saturday
Stayin’ alive, Stayin’ Alive!
The Ultimate Bee Gees have spared no expense re-creating one of the most iconic bands of our time, The Bee Gees. Starring three international artists, The Utlimate Bee Gees capture the pure essence that made the band famous for five decades.
Now in its eighth year The Ultimate Bee Gees show takes you on the journey Barry, Robin & Maurice experienced with their magic harmonies and melodic tunes that dominated the music charts for 50 years. Get your dancing shoes on as these boys bring homage to one of the greatest bands of all time, The Bee Gees.
This is a night of pure entertainment and not to missed as The Ultimate Bee Gees soar through all the greatest hits.
Ballina RSL on Saturday at 8pm. Tix at the club.
Kasey Chambers live
Kasey Chambers shrugs, wrapping her hands around her coffee cup – the same hands that have received 29 music awards and raised three children. The same hands that pulled crayfish spines from their knuckles on Australia’s southern coast and hunted foxes under the Nullarbor’s endless blue sky.
Born in Mt Gambier in South Australia, Kasey grew up in a home environment where listening to and performing country and roots music was a way of life. It had to rub off – and it did – just as in later years, living on the Nullarbor Plain and travelling all over Australia with her family, the young Kasey got an education like no other. She spent her childhood absorbing the music of Hank Williams, Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash and other country greats loved by her parents. It was in the family’s revered Dead Ringer Band with dad Bill, mum Di and older brother Nash that 10-year-old Kasey got her first real taste of being on stage.
By the time she was in her late teens she was fronting the band and writing some of the songs.
The incredible Kasey Chambers is at the Ballina RSL on Thursday.
Rawlings Music
Dave Rawlings Machine play in support of the recently released and critically acclaimed album Nashville Obsolete, which features seven original compositions written by Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings. The Machine live band will feature Dave and Gillian, as well as Willie Watson, Punch Brother Paul Kowert and incredible fiddler Brittany Haas.
Dave Rawlings and his show at the A&I Hall in Bangalow on 13 and 14 February. Tix On Sale NOW at www.redsquaremusic.com.au.
David Ades Life in a Day
David Ades is a legend of Australian saxophone. His majestic phrases, searing tone and glorious melodies dismiss any notions of right or wrong. His playing epitomises honesty, singularity and courage. David tragically lost his battle with lung cancer in November 2013. Incredibly, only weeks before he died, Ades recorded an album of new material in New York. That album has now been released through Lionsharecords.
David’s close friends Zac Hurren (Brisbane) and Julien Wilson (Melbourne), respective winners of the National Jazz Award in 1994 and 2009, are touring Australia in January to pay tribute to Ades and his music. Zac and Julien will be performing at the following venues with local rhythm sections, all of whom had previous musical connections with David.
Friday 15 January 8pm at The Bangalow Bowlo with Sam Maguire on bass and Greg Sheehan on drums.
Tix at bangalowbowlo.com.au.
Sufi Soul Sangeet at The Lotus Teahouse
Inspired by the poetic works of mystics such as Bulleh Shah, Amir Khusurow and Rumi, Sufi music expresses a deep longing for divine union. Sufi Soul Sangeet bring to life the devotional music of India and Pakistan, skilfully weaving together sweetly sophisticated melodies and rhythmic tabla beats with rare emotion and passion.
The Lotus Teahouse at Starseed Gardens (Byron Bay) hosts renowned vocalist and harmonium player Tahir Qawwal, performing with his beloved partner Bhairavi Devi, tabla player Shen Flindell and amazing Japanese bansuri player Taro Terahara.
Tahir has learnt from some of the greatest artists in Qawwali and Indian classical music, and he leads this group of talented accompanists to perform a range of softer traditional devotional styles.
Sufi Soul Sangeet inspires audiences to remember the depth of tradition and the art of expression at the heart of Sufi music. Sunday 7pm, $15, Starseed Gardens, 130 Yagers Lane, Byron Bay.
Luka in full Bloom
Like many who write songs, Luka Bloom’s orchestra of choice is the guitar. What makes his career a little different is his constant search for a new voice within the guitar.
The guitar is the landscape on which the song is created, and he is forever probing that landscape for new inspiration. No effects, no gadgets. Time, effort and a whole lot of love bring forth new voicings within the instrument, and bit by bit the songs come to life. And eventually they fly, bringing Luka with them to be heard in Byron Bay, San Francisco, Hamburg, or even Doolin. Luka Bloom has the power to bring audiences to a hush as his poetic lyrics bounce over melodies in a beautiful, captivating way. The same artist can rouse the spirit of the audience to the ceiling when he changes the tempo. Luka’s live performances are summed up in his own words: ‘Every gig is precious. Whether the Spa in Lisdoonvarna, Carre in Amsterdam, or the Enmore Theatre in Sydney, the privilege is the same, as is the commitment to the gig’.
Byron Theatre Saturday 5 March. Tickets at byroncentre.com.au or book 6685 6807.
