Hetty Kate with James Sherlock, Thierry Fossemale & Dave Sanders
Club Mullum, Mullum Ex-Services | Friday 24 August | 7.30pm | $10-25 | Kids under 12 free
Fresh from Paris via New York City, Hetty Kate is looking forward to joining legendary jazz guitarist James Sherlock, Thierry Fossemalle on bass and Dave Sanders,
for a special concert at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club this Friday. Described as ‘the real deal’ and ‘one of the best swing vocalists on the current scene’, Hetty performed with James Morrison’s touring bands for three years, and can now be found on stages large and small from New Zealand to New York. She has featured at premier jazz festivals internationally, including the New York Winter Jazz Festival (USA), Sapporo International Jazz Festival (Japan), Ascona Jazz Festival (Switzerland), Prague Proms (Czech Republic), and the Cavell Leitch New Zealand International Jazz Festival; and is a frequent guest of the Melbourne, Stonnington and Perth international jazz festivals, the Wangaratta Jazz & Blues Festival, and the Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival.
Tix www.mullumexservices.com.au
Miss Amber & Stukulele Uke Night – 80s theme
Mullum Ex-Services | Thursday 30 August | 6.30pm | $2.50-15 | Kids under five Free
Miss Amber and Stukulele will be presenting two sets of hits from the 80s. Expect some new-wave pop hits and a power ballad or two from artists like Madonna, Billy Idol, The Cars, Martha and the Muffins, Bowie, Kim Wilde and even Flock of Sea Gulls. Don your post-punk best, bring your uke, and come and work your tonsils out with special guest vocalists Ash Bell and daughter Rose Eadie.
The songbook is available through www.ukemullum.com and, if you can’t make it on the night, you can watch live stream; subscribe to youtube.com/ukemullum so you don’t miss the notification.
Broadfoot
Bangalow Markets 10am | The Rails 7pm | Sunday 26 August |Free
For those who like their music strong the opportunity for a Broadfoot double dose occurs this Sunday with a spot at the Bangalow Showgrounds with music at Bangalow Market from 10am until 2pm. Following a highly likely siesta (nanna nap in some circles – nothing against nannas, they’re great), Broadfoot will be playing at The Rails from 7pm until 10pm. Bluesy, rock ’n’ grooving music with pep to move the feet and plenty of upstairs groove as well. www.therailsbyronbay.com
Soul Sangeet presents the Masters of India
Byron Theatre | Thursday 30 August | 7pm | $33 – $38
A one-off world class event that will colour your mind with intoxicating melody and rhythms. Sangeet is sound or music in
ancient Sanksrit and follows a deep belief of spirit in sound. Based on Indian classical music with a depth of knowledge and cultural understanding that has been passed down from generation to generation. International Indian Maestros Sangeet Mishra, who is an 8th-generation sarangi player from Varanasi India, and Hindole Majumdar, a world-renowned tabla player of India and abroad, will be supported by Australia’s leading sitarist Saikat Bhattacharya and Shivam Rath on the chattarangi, aka crystal slide. Shivam has adopted the use of the 22-string fusion slide-guitar with a Himalayan crystal ball for added grace and tone and attempts to bridge the western and eastern world through this symbolic instrument and his musical sound. Each artist will be performing a solo unique to their instrument and also connected to the mystical world of raga, culminating in a group ensemble finale. All artists have been touring nationally and internationally and are guaranteed to take you on a mystical musical journey. Be prepared for rhythm and melody of the finest degree!
Tix at www.byroncentre.com.au
Byron Guitar Festival
Byron Brewery | 6 & 7 October | $50 for one day, $90 for two
The Byron Guitar Fest enters its second year with an impressive lineup of local and national players including British India, Ash Grunwald, Dallas Frasca, The Fumes, Jeff Martin, Hussy Hicks and a whole lot more. Produced by Byron Music, the event features 29+ live performances on two stages, as well as a guitar market showcasing some amazing instruments and craftsmanship from some of the world’s favourite manufacturers including Fender, VOX, Yamaha and more; workshops and seminars presented by artists and manufacturers; and delicious food and beverages from the Byron Bay Brewery.
Tix on sale at www.byronbayguitarfestival.com
Mullum Music Festival Final Announcement
15–18 November
Diversity. Community. Equality! That’s the vibe that underpins Mullum Music Fest, the popular small-town festival that’s on every music lover’s bucket list. With headline acts like Nigerian Bombino, Guyana’s Mad Professor, Jah9 from Jamaica, and Osaka Monaurail from Japan bringing the music of the globe to the stage, the festival also brings the local music to the globe with its third announcement celebrating the immense talent of the region.
Festival director Glenn Wright is committed to continuing this festival’s exciting trajectory with a lineup that is all about inclusivity.
‘I think when we say diversity and equality it is of nations, gender and music styles. There is also a common thread of good quality music, and we are very aware of the local arts scene, our community, and try to include many of these artists each year.’
This year, joining the stellar lineup is Mullumbimby resident, Irish singer/songwriter Aine Tyrell. Story is at the forefront with her latest offering Return to the Sea written and recorded in her homeland but mastered on her return here; due for release in 2019. Tyrell will be showcasing her incredible new songs at Mullum Music Festival this year. Also from the northern rivers comes Bethanie Jolly, with her rich folk style coloured with splashes of old-time blues and deeply moving soul. Other local treasures include jazz legend Sharny Russell, chanteuse Shelly Brown, the wild banjo of The Button Collective, the magic of Ash Bell and Sara Tindley, the unexpected, upbeat irreverence of Out Of Range and so much more.
Bringing Melbourne to Mullum is singer/songwriter and musical storyteller Lucy Wise – on the back of her 2018 release Winter Sun, a tapestry of rich soundscapes varying from the lush to the raw and pared back.
Festival favourites Husky are back. Ever since their return from Berlin last year there’s been a whole new buzz about Husky. Also along for the ride is Canada’s Old Man Luedecke, the singer/songwriter and banjo player from Nova Scotia with a penchant for narrative-driven folk songs that are playful, coy and soulwarming.
This year’s Mullum Music festival also introduces two daily comedy shows, with Rusty Berther (Scared Little Weird Guys), Ellen Briggs, Mandy Nolan, Lindsay Webb, Jonathan Atherton and Matt Ford (Aboriginal Comedy All Stars) being just a few of the funny people taking the stage in a place where humour is well overdue – the local Council chambers!
But it’s not just about the music; there’s an art exhibition you can catch as you stroll between venues at the BSA, flashmobs by the 80s divas The Cassettes, full freaky fun on the Magic Bus, local choirs, ukulele battles, and of course, the highlight of every event: the Sunday street parade where New Orleans meets the Horns of Mullum and that audience, those babies, teenagers, children, mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers are all dancing shoulder to shoulder, or even hoisted onto shoulders in a giant celebratory cacophany of brass.
This final announcement for Mullum Music Festival deepens the program, ensuring that for four days in November, in a world where words fail, music speaks.
For program info and tickets for this 15–18 Nov event go to www.mullummusicfestival.com
Festival for the Seas
Byron Brewery | Sunday | 12pm–12am
Festival for the Seas is back to celebrate, as well as raise awareness and raise funds for, our oceans. FFTS is an all-day family-friendly event at Byron Bay Brewery on Sunday, packed full of entertainment for all ages.
This year all money raised will be donated to ocean-based charities Seabird Rescue and Sea Shepherd’s Apex Harmony operation. Starts 11am with a beach cleanup. Those wishing to participate can meet at Apex Park across from the Beach Hotel. If you join the cleanup, Byron Bay Brewery will shout you a burger back at their place.
Fundraising event runs from 2pm till 12am at the Brewery and features performances by Drop Legs, Tay Oskee, Nick Cunningham, Hemmingway, The Dreggs, Sophie Ozard, Rory O’Neil and Wadeep. www.byronbaybrewery.com.au
Burning Hands
Raised on rattlesnake venom and moonshine, Burning Hands perform traditional Delta- and Chicago-influenced dance music from a forgotten time. Featuring raw harmonica, virtuoso blues guitar, and a rhythm section that cranks with double bass and drums. Byron Brewery on Sunday, 1pm. www.byronbaybrewery.com.au