Garifuna Collective
Hailing from Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, Desiree Diego, Sofia Blanco and Chela Torres are three women whose songs draw on the wellsprings of Garifuna culture while echoing the joys and sorrows of contemporary life. Griffin collective are a seasoned representation of today’s Garifuna musicians and dancers with a dynamic that comes from more than a decade of playing together and crafting some of the most original and refreshing modern roots music ever to come out of the central American and Caribbean region. Over a foundation of ancestral beats, the unmistakable and powerful sound of the two traditional Garifuna drums – the primero and the segunda – along with driving maracas, turtle shells, acoustic and electric guitars and swinging bass grooves, blending with evocative melodies and powerful call-and-response vocals, these artists tell their stories through music, dance and traditional costume.
They play at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall on 12 April.
Tickets at redsquaremusic.com.au
Paco & Bart
Lovers of the giddy heights the guitar will love this upcoming show where flamenco meets jazz with Spain’s Paco Heredia joining forces with Bart Stenhouse at the Bangalow Bowlo on Thursday 5 April. In his debut Australian appearance, gypsy flamenco guitarist Paco Heredia proves that he belongs to the pool of flamenco guitarists post Paco de Lucia; he represents that generation of guitarists whose musical grace is both rhythmic and harmonic – as observed by flamenco journalist Ana Sanchez on La2, a Spanish national TV channel.
Tickets are $40 general admission and $35 concession online and at the door.
Paddy’s Day Empire
Phill Skinner is a Brisbane-based musician who has been entertaining crowds up and down the east coast for the past five years. From Bowie to Sublime, Paul Kelly to Tom Petty, Phill covers a wide range of music styles and is often complimented on his ecclectic repertoire. With his acoustic guitar and unique voice, Phill creates an enjoyable vibe suited to any occasion or venue.
He plays The Empire Cafe in Mullumbimby on Saturday.
Irish music all day. Live music from 5pm. Irish food and drink specials all day. Happy hour 1–2pm and 5–6pm $5 Guinness pint cans.
Bello Winter Music goes for the top ten
Bello Winter Music 2018 has announced 10 of the acts heading for the winter festival that takes over the streets, halls, pubs and cafes of the beautiful NSW town of Bellingen 12–15 July, 2018. Justin Townes Earle, Lior, Lillie Mae, Maddy Jane, Fraser A Gorman, Moussa Diakite and Wassado, Thando, The Satsuki Odamura Koto Ensemble, Tangents and the Hi Tops Brass Band will all be on hand to warm the hearts of musical lovers at the boutique festival that sells out every year. The full lineup of more than 70 acts will be announced in April.
Justin Townes Earle (US) has experienced more than most in his 30-odd years, both personally and professionally.
Between releasing seven full-length critically acclaimed albums, constant touring, multiple stints in rehab, a newfound sobriety, being born Steve Earle’s son, amicable and not-so-amicable break-ups with record labels, and facing the trials and tribulations of everyday life, it’s safe to say he has quite the story to tell. Since launching his recording career a decade ago, Justin Townes Earle has established a reputation as a singular leading light in the Americana music community. With fearless, personally charged lyrical insight and infectious melodic craftsmanship, the young veteran singer/songwriter will give Bello Winter Music punters a taste of his rich, deeply soulful body of work set that’s both emotionally riveting and effortlessly uplifting.
Zimbabwean-born songstress Thando has been gracing stages around Australia with her electric presence and powerhouse vocal. Thando grew up feasting on the musical offerings of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Queen and TLC. Along the way she found Jill Scott and crafted her genre-bending sound with an electric live set. Her 2016 debut EP Digital Love Letters paved the road to a slew of festival appearances such as Strawberry Fields and Woodford Folk Festival and NYE on The Hill. With the highly anticipated release of her brand-new single NUMB, this multidimensional performer is looking toward solidifying her status as Melbourne’s newest first lady of R&B.
Multi-instrumentalist, beloved Nashville artist Lillie Mae is ‘one in a billion’ according to Jack White, with whom she played as part of his all-female live and studio band The Peacocks as fiddle and mandolin player. A longtime fixture in country and bluegrass circles Lillie Mae has been singing and playing on stages across the US since she could stand on her own two feet.
Now in its fourth year Bello Winter Music is a whole-town festival packed with family-friendly activities. As well as the music pouring out of 14 different venues, Bellingen comes alive with street theatre, markets, circus and walking tours. The festival features Bellingen LeaF, a sustainability-focused program of workshops available at no extra cost to festival goers, and the hugely successful Youth Mentorship Program, which gives aspiring young musicians the opportunity to receive mentorship from an established artist from the lineup and to perform at the festival. Taking place in the magnificent, historic riverside town of Bellingen, Bello Winter Music has fast become the under-the-radar favourite for musicians and punters alike who like their music up close and intimate. If this sounds like your perfect weekend away, grab your tickets now at www.bellowintermusic.com | Thursday 12 July till 15 July
Macka B Brewery
The raw energy of reggae legend Macka B comes to Australia this March as dates are announced for his Health and Wealth Tour.
The brilliant and quirky reggae MC has achieved 43 million hits since his Cucumba video was picked up by UNILAD and went viral. The song, one example of the freestyle lyrics on his newly released album, is about one of the many vegetables he loves.
Today, the skilful lyricist and living example of GO FOR 2 & 5 Fruit and Vegetable Campaign announced Sydney, Melbourne, Byron, Maroochydore and Brisbane concert dates with his Roots Ragga Band, with promise of more to come. He will take his positive messages on the road, delivering them as a seasoned reggae artist who has worked with the likes of Burning Spear, U-Roy, The Wailers, Lee Perry and Mad Professor. Macka B, is described by allmusic.com as ‘one of Britain’s most influential dancehall toasters.’ He is on at the Brewery Sat March 17th.
The Genius of Guinness
Saturday 24 March sees cheeky, subversive, multi-genre musical powerhouse Waiting for Guinness make a long-awaited return to Lismore for a one-night-only blast at the beautiful Star Court Theatre!
Armed with a ridiculous array of instruments, the band will be performing its incredible repertoire of intercultural political music on a stellar bill featuring Lismore’s own legendary old-schoolers, The Magnificence.
Since its busking beginnings in Sydney, its self-titled debut album (2003), and follow-up releases The Show (2004), and Friend or Foe (2007), Waiting for Guinness has earned a strong reputation for its satirical songs, multi-instrumental musicianship and explosive live performances. The band has played at major festivals across Australia including St Kilda (Vic), Port Fairy (Vic), repeat appearances at Woodford Folk Festival (Qld), the National Folk Festival (ACT), Cockatoo Island, Peats Ridge, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Newtown Festival, Fairbridge Festival (WA), and has been invited to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival and Switzerland’s International Buskers Festival.
Harley Khanage
You have to be in it to win it at the Ocean Shores Tavern this month, with the second key being drawn on Friday night. While you are there why not kick back and enjoy the music of Khanage. Fri the 16th Khanage, the hip-hop metal band from the Gold Coast, who is also partial to hard house and dubstep! Band plays from 8pm.
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