Get music on your frequency
Earth Frequency Festival is a music, arts, lifestyle and environmental festival based in southeast Queensland. With a strong focus on arts, education, healing and community spirit, Earth Frequency Festival has grown from its origins as a small landcare party to become one of Australia’s foremost transformational gatherings. At Earth Frequency, you can always expect an amazing mixture of live and electronic music, performance, visionary art, workshops and lectures, a family and kids’ space, and a fantastic food and markets area, and of course a positive community vibe. Featuring Beardyman from the UK, The Herd, Ace Ventura, Opiuo, Desert Dwellers, Kingfisha and a whole lot more.
Earth Frequency Festival is held each year at Ivory’s Rock Conventions and Events, Peak Crossing. Ivory’s Rock is a beautiful outdoor venue with top-notch facilities, comfortable campgrounds, and it is conveniently located less than an hour from Brisbane and just 20 minutes from Ipswich. 17–20 February. For tickets and program information go to earthfrequency.com.au.
Acoustic Lounge Adventures with Pete C & Friends at Club Mullum
After running a successful and well-loved electric jam in Mullum, local music identity Pete C is back with the new Acoustic Lounge Adventures – teaming up with Dr Baz on keys and in association with Club Mullum to create a friendly space for singer/songwriters to present their songs in a supportive environment. Be in the Ex-Services Lounge from 7pm on the second Thursday of each month beginning this Thursday. Free entry – all music lovers welcome.
Busking comp for blues is open
Calling all artists… Bluesfest Busking competition applications are now open!
The comp has endless opportunities for artists, including the grand prize for the Over-18 Winner to open one of Bluesfest’s main stages. The Bluesfest Busking Stage during the Easter weekend showcases a continual lineup of amazing artists deservingly selected by the judges to wow the Bluesfest crowds. It’s the perfect stage for that intimate musical experience, promoting musical discoveries that defy expectations and honouring exceptional artists as they pave their career in the music industry.
The Grommet category also contributes to one of the most memorable and exciting Bluesfest experiences, with the event finalists having the opportunity to join in the Grommet Showcase with a day of incredible young talent on Easter Sunday. The Grommet event is limited. Over-18s’ applications close: 5pm, 6 March.
Grommet applications close when they reach capacity!
For further information and to apply, check out the links on the Bluesfest website at www.bluesfest.com.au/pages/?ParentPageID=43&PageID=121.
Heart full of music
Pacific Heart Tour is three Pacific songwriters coming together to share original works. Andrea Kirwin (Fiji), Tom Francis (NZ) and Elena B Williams (Samoa) will be performing and promoting new albums together.
For a great night of smooth folk, soul and blues for the whole family get your island shirts and skirts on and come out for an evening of Pacific arts.
Saturday at the Byron Brewery from 7pm.
Launching music for 2017
Byron Music Society is looking forward to an exciting 2017, and to celebrate new partnerships the crew will be launching their new program on Sunday 19 February and also a dinner by Francisco’s table pop-up restaurant.
Francisco’s Table is a roaming restaurant popping up at different locations around the Byron Shire, regularly appearing at Coorabell Hall, Federal Hall, Corndale Hall and the Bangalow A&I Hall. Francisco’s food is inspired by local produce that is sourced from a wide community of growers and farmers. You will share a table loaded with delectable dishes with your neighbours, friends and fellow food lovers.
The event will begin with a screening of the delightful film Le Concert. Twenty-five years after losing his position as the conductor of the Bolshoi Orchestra for his refusal to fire Jewish musicians, a once-famous musical director (Aleksei Guskov) attempts to stage a late-career comeback. Laughter and tears as the seriousness of music-making is unpacked. Following the film, BMS president-elect Nicholas Routley and committee can be joined in St Martin’s Hall for a glass of bubbles and some beautiful music by chamber choir Dynasty8. Nicholas will talk through the coming year’s program and announce our very exciting big 2017 surprise.
Cellist Louise King will then perform a solo concert. Louise is musically adventurous and her daringly diverse performance projects explore a dizzying array of music. Whether it’s early music, historical informed performance practice, cutting-edge experimental, folk, or Australian music, Louise will surprise us with her program but not with her virtuosity, expression and musical excellence.
In 2017, under the presidency of Nicholas Routley, the Society is planning to present great music-based events. Once again the Society has partnered with internationally wel-known Nadine Abensur (of The Cranks Bible fame and a half dozen other cookery books).
Come along to the program launch day on Sunday 19 February at St Martin’s Mullumbimby. Non-members are welcome so bring your friends!
Bookings essential, don’t miss out! Bookings and 2017 program information available at byronmusicsociety.com.
Contact [email protected].
Merryn Making Music
Things are moving fast for singer songwriter Merryn Jean. She heads to Paris next week to work with her new band just on the tail of finishing up recording her debut solo release with Museagency’s Gyan and Si Greaves. The songs are very simple and stripped back, mostly recorded live in a take or two with no beats at all, with the intention of creating a record that is gentle, honest and ‘reflective’. She has decided to release independently with help of a Kickstarter Crowdfunder.
Go to kickstarter.com/projects/641869957/merryn-jeann-debut-release and help a girl realise her dream!
