Mullum Music Festival
15–18 November
Music transforms. Music unites. Music connects. And this year the music is the magic that happens at Mullum Music Festival, running four nights and three days in the halls, pubs, streets and clubs of Mullumbimby. Ben Ottewell(UK) brings the power of riff with his acoustic-driven solo work to the stage after stepping out with his veteran UK guitar band Gomez earlier this year after a four-year hiatus. Conscious Rock roots reggae genre defier, the nature sprite that is Oahu’s Mike Love brings his deeply spiritual message-based music to the stage, leaving audiences moved by the passionate and musical call back to nature – a truly religious experience! Gabriella Cohen is cool incarnate with her debut record Full Closure praised internationally for its dreamy fuzz-soaked pop-scapes. Darwin’s Caiti Baker combines raw hip-hop talent with delicious soul and R&B with Rolling Stone declaring her songs on her latest release Zinc as ‘uniquely wonderful’.
William Crighton returns to share his powerful analogues of lived experience, shaking the dust from his boots once again at Mullum Fest in what is sure to be a deeply profound performance. Melbourne-based singer/songwriter Lior returns to Mullum Festival this time with a full string section. The pure soul experience of Zimbabwe-born Thando heads straight to the dancefloor with thumping R’n’B grooves, an electric presence and powerhouse vocals. Her ability to tell a story takes her audience on a journey of loving oneself and reflection.
Mullum Music Festival also welcomes the ecstatic pulses and furious mashups of Sydney-based quintet Tangents, the smooth harmonies of tropical ambassador Bobby Alu, the nu-soul and jazz of Ladyslug, funky fem-hop from 8-piece soul queens The Mamas, and the insane horniness of Sydney’s New Orleans-style big brass band Low Down Riders.
From sheer reckless exhilaration to quiet moments of acoustic contemplation Mullum Music Festival offers up the complete music lovers’ experience.
Info and tix mullummusicfestival.com
Geoff Achison
Railway Friendly Bar Byron| Wed 8 August | Free
Veteran Aussie blues-roots artist Geoff Achison is a household name for many music fans with a reputation he’s forged through decades of making consistently excellent music. Achison first cut his teeth as the young guitar gun in Dutch Tilders’ band in the 80s and has maintained a gruelling touring schedule ever since, both as part of his band The Souldiggers and as a solo artist in Australia and overseas. Achison is on the trail once again in support of his new album Sovereign Town, an acoustic, intimate, organic and decidedly song-driven collection of 12 tracks, inspired by the early days of Victoria’s gold rush and recorded in Ballarat. The official release is set for 25 August, is distributed worldwide through Landslide Records USA, and is available at all good stores through Only Blues Music.
Backwater Brethren
Mullumbimby Public School | Sun 12 August |11am–3pm | Free
The Backwater Brethren are the northern rivers country rock supergroup. They take after their mentors The Highway Men (Cash, Jennings, Nelson and Kristofferson) in that they are a bunch of notorious outlaws with a love for a hoedown. The band recently blew the heads off the unsuspecting audience in the Bangalow A&I Hall when they supported and backed John Carter and Ana Cristina Cash. The main man is Ash (Buckshot) Bellon acoustic guitar strummin’, Phil (Longhorn) Levyon lead guitar pickin’, Steve (Forrest Ranger) Gilberton, Harmonica blowin’, Rod (Rattlesnake) Coeon solid swingin’ bass and Stu (Hot Sauce) Eadie on rockin’ country drums. No-one gets out alive without first tapping all ten toes and howling arm in arm with their closest compadres.
There will be rides and food and all that stuff too.
Australian Bee Gees
Star Court Theatre, Lismore | Sun 19 August | $52.50-57.50
Fresh from celebrating seven years and well over 2,000 shows headlining on the Las Vegas strip, the Australian Bee Gees Show are coming to the area to present their 2018 Direct from Vegas world tour!
The Australian Bee Gees Show has racked up over 2,250 performances on the Las Vegas Strip and has just been re-signed for another two years until February 2020. The Australian Bee Gees Show was recently voted Best Tribute Show in Las Vegas by the prestigious Las Vegas Review Journal and has made the top 10 in the Overall Best Show category. So don’t miss the next best thing to The Bee Gees.
For one night only: 6622 5005 | www.starcourttheatre.com.au
Carl Cleves
Byron Centre | Thurs 9 August | 7.30pm | $12-25
Carl Cleves is joined by his musical comrades when he launches his new solo album Before Twilight turns to Night this month.
The new album showcases Carl’s new love for the mouth organ. As with much of Carl’s work there are moving melodies, thrilling musicianship, plenty of passion and poetry, and constant surprise.
Almost one hour long, the album features nine brand-new originals and was recorded, mixed and mastered by Kamal Engels in the Art of Audio studio, Mullumbimby, with a stellar cast: Thierry Fossemalle, double bass; Dave Sanders, drums; Tunji Beier, drums and tavil; Rick Fenn, guitar and vocals; Thomas Veitch, cello; Andrew Clermont, violin, mandolin and banjo; Kamal Engels, fretless bass; Leigh Carriage and Parissa Bouas, vocals. Those players will be joining him on the night to launch!
Tix at www.byroncentre.com.au
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