Spirit of the Bay
This time three years ago a team of young Events Management students at the Byron Youth Service were getting ready to launch into presenting their major assignment for the course, an event called Spirit of the Bay.
Returning in 2017 are two of the original students, Hayley Stibbard and Shanise McIntyre, to again join forces with their once tutor, now friend, Min Saxe to bring you the third Spirit of the Bay.
Stephanie Sims from the BYS is delighted to have the crew return to put on another fantastic youth-focused event to raise much-needed funds for the Byron Youth Service so they can continue their valuable work with young people in the community. She is pleased to announce that Spirit of the Bay will officially be an annual event held on the third weekend of October, with this year’s event on Saturday from 2pm!
Min recalls that although for the first Spirit of the Bay they had headliner act WolfMother gracing the stage, this year she is proud to boast about the huge array of local youth talent filling the lineup! Every musical performer and DJ would be under the age of 26 and is a drawcard to the event in their own right! This gig provides an ideal platform to showcase the outstanding youth talent in the Shire. Even the various catering stalls are operated by young locals as well as the decor, lighting and lasers. With the support of industry professionals, this gig is BY the youth and FOR the youth!
AMBER performed as a soloist back in 2014 in the ‘Unearthing Byron’ segment of the first Spirit and returns this year with her band! Amber will also be doing backing vocals for another legendary local music act, Jeremy Storm.
Indigenoise will be performing and promoting their new single Wildfire and band members will also be facilitating the Opening Ceremony scheduled at 3pm.
After the live music, a smorgasbord of fabulous DJs hits the stage including Torusphere, Fraktal Faerie, Dendrite and Morgazmk. If EDM is your thing you don’t have to wait, as the FunMaker Silent Disco will be running alongside MainStage throughout the gig providing a variety of dance music styles to keep everyone happy.
Raising funds for the BYS is awesome! Showcasing some of the Shire’s amazing talent is fabulous! But for Min Saxe, the highlight of this gig is the heartfelt reunion of all the amazing young people who come together to make Spirit of the Bay possible!
Opening Ceremony, Jeremy Storm, AMBER, Indigenoise, Trip Syndicate, Fraktal Faerie, Medicinal Noise, Beatroot… and more.
Saturday at the BYS, 2pm till 11pm.
NO Intermission with Mike McClellan
It is now more than 40 years since Song and Danceman was a national hit and voted Song of The Year by the music industry at its annual awards. Mike McClellan’s songs have earned him an honoured place within the history of Australian music and you’ll still hear Song and Danceman, The One I Love and Rock’n’Roll Lady on radio, along with several others from his extensive back catalogue, but until the release of If Only For a Moment in 2011 it had been 20 years since Mike McClellan had released a CD of new songs. A ‘best of’ collection (Time and Time Again) was released back in 2001 to the joy of many whose vinyl collections were wearing rapidly.
It has surprised nobody who knew his early work that his three albums of new songs since returning to his music full time should be so good. He remarked in a recent interview, ‘When I made the decision to return to performing and writing again I didn’t want to come back and just play the old stuff, as good as it might be. And I didn’t want to release any new material unless I felt it was at least the equal of, and preferably better than, the songs I had recorded all those years ago. I think No Intermission lives up to the standards I set myself – and I’m my harshest critic. I hope others believe so too.’
It’s doubtful any will disagree. No Intermission easily sustains the exceptional quality of his much-loved early work while richly reflecting his growth as a writer, and is ample testimony to his enduring talent. And he’s one hell of a guitar player. The energetic first single from the album, Not Yet, finds him in tongue-in-cheek good humour, loudly declaring that he ‘ain’t ready to quit. Not Yet.’ Many hope he never does.
Byron Theatre on Saturday at 7.30pm.
Jazz at the Bowlo
If you like a little swing in your step then find yourself at the Bangalow Bowlo this Friday when Emily Turner and Rhydian Lewis return to sing with a live jazz band, featuring Fred Cole and Hans Lovejoy. Great for swing dancing. Starts at 7pm. It’s free and everyone is invited!
Just a Momento
SCU Contemporary Music Program announces four events each year where music students will showcase their work to the public and gain valuable experience in the live music scene. The first is on Thursday when Calypso Momento showcase their work at the Ballina RSL Boardwalk Lounge from 7pm.
Tortured Remixes onstage
Celebrating 20 years in music, Aria-nominated (Brisbane-based) indie classical quintet Topology have recently released their newest full-length mixtape album Tortured Remixes and are heading to Byron Theatre on their Tortured Remixes tour! Featuring tortured reconstructions of The Saints, MC Hammer, The Beatles, Stevie Wright, Beyoncé, Cold Chisel and many more, Tortured Remixes is a mixtape celebrating the 60s to the present like you’ve never heard them before. They play the Byron Theatre on Friday at 7.30pm.
DOOLIE
2016 Queensland Music Award winner, Doolie’s latest single Køld is an intimate revenge story. Darker than past singles, the texture between the lyrics and melody exudes passionate emotion throughout. With a lower instrumentation juxtaposed with Doolie’s powerful higher register, it’s a standout track in an already shimmering introduction into the Queensland music scene. Doolie’s schedule has been a swirling cacophony of support slots, writing, recording as well as moving to the Gold Coast, which was an exciting experience as Doolie explains: ‘Moving out of home was exciting and fun… Being more independent and by myself allowed me the freedom and time to play around with my songwriting and to grow… I’m really sinking my teeth into my songwriting, recording and building my performance skills through frequent gigs.’ Playing shows with Christian Patey, Ella Fence, Fieu, Selahphonic, The Jensens, and playing The Village Festival among others has done exactly that, helping her live shows take an energetic new life.
Catch Doolie performing live at Byron Bay Brewery, Byron Bay on Saturday at 7pm.
Music in the Valley!
Families will be kicking up their heels in celebration when Thrillbilly Stomp headlines Main Arm Public School’s annual Music in the Valley event this Friday.
The thigh-slapping, infectious sound of Thrillbilly Stomp is influenced by music in which accordion and mandolin are prominent such as Celtic, Cajun, zydeco and bluegrass. Using these styles to inform and inspire, the band creates a sound that is unique, fun and uplifting.
The event kicks off at 4pm with a Teddy Bears Singalong. The much-loved Curly Cousins will delight and inspire both young and old with their rich harmonies, uplifting arrangements, multi-instrumental talents and audience interaction.
Other highlights include Main Arm students showcasing their musical talent from the junior and senior choirs to flautists, violinists and guitarists and a Welcome to Country with Uncle Pete.
With free entry there will also be fun activities, sideshow alley, pony rides, an inflatable obstacle course, a petting zoo and delicious food as well as a licensed bar on offer.
Dolphins onstage
NCEIA Dolphin Music Awards are excited to announce their 2017 finalists recently, and now with three industry judges per category and with fantastic feedback from them with so many good songs entered it meant some very good songs just missed out. The NCEIA team, sponsors and performing artists are looking forward to a great public-friendly night with music galore on Tuesday when the NCEIA Dolphin Music Awards will be held at the Ballina RSL Club at 6.30pm.
Go to the Ballina RSL Club to book tickets or phone them on 6681 9500.