
Manitoba Hal blues ukulele workshop and concert
Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club | Thursday October 18 | 5pm workshop 7pm concert | $15
Revered Canadian bluesman and all-round fine troubadour Manitoba Hal visited the Uke Mullum community about four years ago and now is back, taking time out of his Australian tour to spread the word for the northern rivers – ‘Blues rocks on a ukulele!’ Using a combination of looping technology and effects, Hal creates ballsy one-of-a-kind performances – fresh and inventive originals and arrangements of traditional blues with a big old soul voice.
Don’t miss his invaluable workshop at 5pm and earth-shattering concert at 7pm. Thursday 18 October, Club Mullum at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services. Book now and save $5 for both at www.clubmullum.com, or workshop $15, concert $15, at the door on the evening. Brought to you by Uke Mullum.

Rainbow Lightning
Brunswick Picture House | Nov 3-4 | 10am Saturday workshop, 7pm concerts both days | $20-30
Australian-Fijian singer/songwriter/producer Andrea Kirwin is the eldest daughter of a Fijian preacher. Sunshine Coast-based Andrea grew up singing three-part harmonies with her siblings and learnt AMEB piano from an early age. Music was her constant companion throughout her education; however, it wasn’t until her 21st birthday that Andrea was gifted a guitar by a good friend, and she began writing songs after being inspired by her first live concert by Australian artist Clare Bowditch. The foundation of Andrea’s songwriting is love, unity, peace, and community. Over the past ten years Andrea has been steadily building a national following since first taking to the stage as one half of duo/band The Andi and George Band in Canberra in 2007, and as a solo artist from 2009 till now. With a warm and disarming stage presence, an angelic voice, heart-filled lyrics, and entertaining stories, Andrea continues to share her beautiful songs with all who wish to listen.
Andrea founded her own independent record label Peace Run Records in 2009 and has since released three full-length albums: From the Ground Up (2013), The Story of Us (2015), and A Quiet Revolution (2017).
Andrea is running a songwriting and performance workshop on Saturday 3 Nov 10am–12pm, and is one of the featured performers for Rainbow Lightning at the Brunswick Picture House, a two-day peace concert for the whole family – 3 and 4 November. Concerts from 7pm. Tickets at brunswickpicturehouse.com.

Andrew Stockdale
Hotel Great Northern | Friday 9pm | FREE
Andrew Stockdale reckons he’s found his happy place. That’s what the lead guitarist and lead vocalist for Wolfmother told Beats magazine recently. He’s moved to Bangalow and he couldn’t love it more. ‘Byron is a very inspiring part of the world. It’s just ridiculously inspirational. You could create so much art and so much music continuously here. You feel like people who are living in a shack with next to nothing have as good a quality of life as millionaires living on the beach. You could fall asleep under a tree here, and it would be a nice tree with a nice view.’
Stockdale has gone solo, having just released Slipstream. He says, ‘I feel like I can be creative all the time now, continuously. All our gear is set up right here. I could start writing the next one right now. I feel like I pretty much already have. I feel like recording music is a continual part of life, and I’m at one with it all.’ Clearly Stockdale belongs here. He’s got the vibe sorted.
Andrew Stockdale is at the Hotel Great Northern on Friday. FREE.

Rebecca Ireland presents The Roadside Flowers Project
The Court House, Mullumbimby | Wednesday | 7pm | $15
Rebecca Ireland presents her new work The Roadside Flowers Project, a collection of beautifully crafted songs with the release of the first single, No Questions. Rebecca is known for her vocal and lyrical depth, engaging performances, and distinguished rhythmic guitar style. The stellar new lineup featuring Ben Brennan (bass), Paul Blay (drums), and Ben Blay (sax), enrich the song textures with brilliant musicianship that earned rave reviews from Mullum Fest and Bello Winter Music. Guesting onstage are longtime compadres Mark Heazlett (guitar & BVs) and Lydia Story (BVs).
In support are the addictive dark folk outfit Walrus & The Carpenter. If you haven’t seen them lately then brace yourself ’cause things have changed! Steaming along with a new band and their recently released single Home (waiting for the news), Mathew Engerer’s songwriting has a daily place in Rebecca’s life. Get it in yours!
The stage will be all fired up with Johnny Utah (Cleveland singer/songwriter/free-styler/musician/DJ… and all-round good guy) sharing a collection of tunes on the decks.
Don’t miss this great night of music at the Court House on Wednesday 10 October at 7pm. $15


For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.