Karise Eden
Karise Eden |Ballina RSL | Saturday | 8.30pm | $30
Karise Eden’s voice can move a nation. She shot to fame at the age of 19 with a viral audition video that now has over 36 million views on YouTube and which then catapulted her debut album to break sales and chart history.
Her debut album My Journey shot straight to #1 on the national ARIA Chart, was certified double platinum, and went on to become the biggest-selling album by an Australian artist in 2012. Karise’s second album Things I’ve Done charted at #6 on the ARIA Chart, achieved gold sales status and was followed up by sold-out shows around the country.
Karise released her third album in late November starting with the first single Temporary Lovers. She plays the Ballina RSL on Saturday. 8.30pm. $30. ballinarsl.com.au
Jay Hoad
Jay Hoad | Rails Hotel Byron | Thursday | 7pm | Free.
After a huge year touring through Europe multi-instrumentalist Jay Hoad is back in Oz and set to play a few local gigs before he heads off on the festival circuit. Says Jay, ‘I’m very excited about this year’s tour – so many cool locations and festivals on the various legs – and really excited to bring the new tunes and instruments to the fans around the world. My favourite instrument on this tour is probably the new Industrial Punk Guitar, which is made from car and motorcycle parts, gas bottles, etc and sounds incredible! But that may all change when these new guitars are finished later next month. I’ve been working on plenty of new material and am so excited to drop some of these new tracks at these shows. See you guys soon!’
He is at the Rails in Byron Bay on Thursday, Lennox Hotel on Friday, Saturday at the Sheoak Shack in Fingal, and Sunday at the Sphinx Rock Cafe in Mt Burrell.
The Red Rockin Dirt Band: Songs that Changed Our Country
The Red Rockin Dirt Band: Songs that Changed Our Country | Byron Theatre, Community Centre |Wednesday | 8pm | $42–45
With their instantly recognisable vocal styles, their incisive but elegantly poetic lyricism and their lifelong commitment to a tolerant, compassionate Australia, Shane Howard and John Schumann are two of the most influential singer/songwriters this country has ever produced. They have created songs that changed Australia.
Shane is best known for his leadership of Goanna and his powerful, evocative statement on the plight of Indigenous Australia, Solid Rock. John is famed for Redgum and his compelling Vietnam Veteran’s anthem I was only 19.
Both Shane and John continue to enjoy substantial careers, decades after their leadership of the bands that made them famous. Their uncompromising stance on a wide range of important sociopolitical issues over decades may not have endeared them to the establishment, but the raggedy poets have the respect of the country.
John, Shane, and the Red Rocking Dirt Band present Songs that Changed Our Country at the Byron Theatre at the Community Centre on Wednesday. 8pm. Tix are $42–45 at www.byroncentre.com.au.
Help durrumbul rumble the NBN
Durrumbul Hall | Saturday | 2pm | $20
Opposition to the 45m NBN tower at Durrumbul is being brought into focus this Saturday 1 December with some famous musos and barefoot dancing being the highlight of the event at Durrumbul Hall in Main Arm.
‘The Fields of Healing celebration inspired us to protect our environment from pollution,’ said one of the organisers.
Starting at 2pm there will be Indigenous musicians warming the ground before a great mix of live music and DJs take to the stage.
The event is highlighting the danger of the microwave radiation that the tower will emit over the community, local school and pre-school, and community gathering space. They are raising money to fight against the imposition of the NBN tower that is slated to transmit over the birthplace of alternative culture in the region.
‘We are calling for Byron Shire Council to stop this environmental pollution and to stop the tower at Durrumbul,’ said organisers.
So get your kids together, your dancing feet on, and maybe even bring a picnic (or enjoy the food and drink available for sale), and enjoy music from Shelbi, the Vaggaphonics and DJs Short Circuit, Big Foot and Strange Planet with plenty of surprises along the way. Tickets are $20 on the door.
Dustyesky
Dustyesky | Brunswick Picture House | Sunday | 4pm | Tix $20–25
Join the much-loved Mullumbimby man choir Dustyesky for a very special Christmas fundraiser performance at the Brunswick Picture House on Sunday at 4pm.
Since wowing audiences at Womadelaide, The Melbourne Fringe, Bello Winter Music and Mullum Music Festival last week, the 26-strong choir is putting the finishing touches on their first album due out in 2019.
This special concert will be the last public outing for the group in 2018, so come along and enjoy an unforgettable night of song, as these local legends throw their Russian four-part harmonies behind a good cause.
Presale tickets are $20 online, or $25 at the door, with all proceeds going to the extremely vital BYRON YOUTH SERVICE. For more information and bookings head to www.brunswickpicturehouse.com.
The Living End
The Living End | Kingscliff Hotel | Thursday 27 Dec | 7pm | $45
There’s a whole summer of awesome music in store at Kingscliff Hotel as the beachfront venue continues to put on gigs certain to claim the title of the best beachfront live gigs on the coast. December sees the likes of Tamam Shud, Pierce Brothers, Bourbon Street, Daryl Braithwaite, The Screaming Jets, and Drapht hit the stage with January’s offering of The Jungle Giants, The Beauitfiul Girls, Pete Murray, Tex Perkins and a whole lot more. One of December’s highlights is sure to be The Living End, who rose to fame with the release of a double A-sided single Second Solution & Prisoner of Society. The band have gone on to become of one Australia’s biggest rock bands taking home six ARIAs, two #1 Chart Debuts, eight studio albums and countless hit singles: All Torn Down, West End Riot, Roll On and White Noise to name only a few. Renowned for their energetic live show, The Living End’s brilliant new album Wunderbar is out now and the band is a must-see live for anyone with music on their bucket list.
Thursday 27 December at the Kingscliff Hotel at 7pm. Tix are $45 at oztix.com.au.
