Polish-ed Act
Byron Brewery | Sunday 27 Jan | 8pm | $26-32
One guitar. One voice. One drum kit — frequently bloodied, sometimes broken. The modest tools can only begin to tell the story of Polish Club, the sweat-soaked Aussie soul-punk duo with a heart-wringing knack for arse-kicking rock tunes and a gift for burning down every room they play.
Polish Club’s combined energy simply defies belief, testament to a chemistry that’s maybe one part plan and nine parts feeling. Yes, for those with a literal bent, there is a Polish connection binding their respective backstories. But the duo is better understood in terms of explosion rather than exposition.
Polish Club will be joined by local bands Wharves and Captain Squidlicka & The Sinking Ships for a huge long weekend show this Sunday 27 Jan at Byron Bay Brewery. Tickets are available from Eventbrite.
Slava to the Rhythm
Byron Theatre | Friday 8 Feb | 7.30pm | $52-62
Experience a night of guitar mastery when Slava and Leonard Grigoryan are joined by one of the most influential guitarists of his generation, Wolfgang Muthspiel (Austria). Soon after graduating from the Berklee College of Music in Boston he joined the Gary Burton Quintet, the first guitarist to do so after Pat Metheny. A prolific collaborator, he has recorded and toured with the likes of Trilok Gurtu, Dhafer Youssef, Brian Blade, Rebecca Bakken, Youssou N’Dour, Maria Joao, Dave Liebmann, Paul Motian, Gary Peacock, and many others. Since 2014 he has released three albums as a bandleader on the iconic German label ECM. These projects have seen him in the studio and on tour with jazz luminaries including Brad Mehldau, Brian Blade, Larry Grenadier, Ambrose Akinmusire, and Eric Harland. Among his numerous awards are the Hans Koller prize for Musician of the Year and European Jazz Musician of the Year. Musicians magazine elected him among the ‘top ten guitarists in the world’. With a repertoire spanning centuries, continents, and genres, amazing telepathy, and ability to draw emotion from every note, Slava and Leonard Grigoryan are justifiably regarded as Australia’s finest classical guitarists. Bringing diverse influences, stunning technique, and risk-taking improvisations – performed on an array of guitars including classical, baritone, 12-string and electric.
At the Byron Theatre on Friday 8 Feb. Tix at byroncentre.com.au.
Big Love from Small Halls
Eureka Hall | Saturday 2 Feb | 6.30pm | $10-25
Woodford is coming to Eureka! The best folk and contemporary music touring event The Festival of Small Halls has hit the road and is coming to the Eureka Hall on Saturday 2 Feb! With amazing blues and country artist Liam Gerner (from Melbourne), master musicians Fru Skagerrak (from Norway and Sweden) take you from lowlands to mountains, from slow airs to lively polkas in major and minor and everything in between. Joined by the beautiful Sylvie Millard as support. With local legend and bush poet Angus Thurgate as MC the night will be one not to miss! Doors open at 6.30 with the main acts starting at 7.30pm. Come and have dinner and a drink – paella and a cash bar onsite.
Tix on smallhalls.iwannaticket.com.au or at the door.
Music For People Who Give a s**t!
Eureka Hall | Sunday 10 Feb | 4pm | $30
Come for a sensational summer Sunday soiree for Áine Tyrrell when Mandy Nolan presents A Few Good Women, an afternoon of dance by Delta Kay and the Bunyarra Dancers, comedy, conversation with Áine followed by a solo set. This is a fundraiser to get this woman’s incredible new album out. This is music for people who give a shit, but people who give the same!
Tickets at mandynolan.com.au or at the door if any left!
Bacchus Heaven
Byron Regional Community College | Saturday 26 Jan | 1pm | $30-35
Australia/NZ’s gospel expert and choir-leading supremo Tony Backhouse presents Rehearsing for Heaven, a rousing a cappella singing experience for all levels of singers in Mullumbimby this week.
To experience the joy of four- to six-part harmony with the master of a cappella be at the Byron Regional Community College in Mullumbimby on Saturday from 1pm (class runs until 4pm). It’s for ages 12 and up.
Tix are $30/35 at the door. Doors open 12.30pm.
Creating Harmonic Spaces
Byron Theatre | Saturday 2 Feb | 6pm | $30-40
After a year off in 2018, Earth Frequency Festival is happy to announce the return of Harmonic Spaces at the Byron Theatre on Saturday 2 February. As the lead-in to Earth Frequency with a bit of a taste of what is on offer there, the event launches with three international headliners with more to come. Featuring CloZee from Toulouse in France, an electronic musician who takes her influence from a painting, the weather, or even a dream. Under the broad structure of electronic and bass music, and informed by sound the world over, Clozee finds her best fit in the world bass corner. Australian music producer and founder of Merkaba Music, Kalya Scintilla, has always had a love for music, playing in garage bands, banging on drum kits, spinning vinyl in the night clubs of Sydney and getting down to funk! Kalya had a knowing one night listening to one of the most profound pieces of visionary music from the legendary Herbie Hancock – that his soul’s mission was to make music his life’s devotion. Full program worth investigating online!
This is sure to be another exceptional night of luminous art and music vibrations at the Byron Community Centre’s theatre space. Tix at byroncentre.com.au.
Joyride at the Brewery
Byron Brewery | Thursday 31 Jan | 8pm | $15
Joyride is heading to Byron Bay Brewery on his national tour in support of his recent album release Sunrise Chaser. Cementing himself as somewhat of a social maverick, Joyride has explored themes on Sunrise Chaser based around being 20-something in the inner west, creating a 15-song body of work incorporating these stories while also highlighting his growth as a respected artist. Although he is known to put a comedic spin on most of his music, this album actually sees Joyride step out showing a true, dedicated artist who has consciously paced himself to create a perfect representation of who he is as an artist.
He is at the Byron Brewery on Thursday 31 January. Show is at 8pm and tickets at the door or from byronbaybrewery.com.
The Hicks Trinity
Studio Lismore City Hall | Saturday 2 Feb | 7.30pm | $25-35
After taking the Australian blues scene by storm in 2018 with 100 live shows and festivals, UK frontwoman Zee Gachette returns with her power trio, Z-Star Trinity, featuring Beck Flatt (Blues Arcadia) on drums. Setting stages alight with their high-octane blues and raw rock passion, the trio were touted as the highlight of many a festival last winter and return to Lismore City Hall for this amazing show. They are joined by Hussy Hicks, the duo who have made a name for themselves locally and on the international stage – by playing their music and connecting with audiences one passionate performance at a time. Julz Parker is widely recognised among her peers as one of Australia’s finest guitarists, and Leesa Gentz’s powerhouse stage presence, soaring vocals, and massive smile will steal your heart, have you hanging on every note and leave a tingle dancing down your spine. They run the gamut of musical genres incorporating blues, folk, and riffy rock with gypsy, surf, alt country, and soul, all cheekily woven together with beautiful vocal harmonies.
Tix at lismorecityhall.com.au