Bello Winter Music
Bello Winter Music | Bellingen | 11–14 July
Bello Winter Music is just a few months aways so start getting familiar with some of the amazing talent that is on offer at the cosiest festival on the calendar. Meet Nadia Reid.
Auckland-born, Dunedin-raised Nadia Reid has attained global success off the back of her first two albums: Listen To Formation, Look For The Signs (2015) and Preservation (2017). 2017 saw Nadia perform over 100 shows, touring through Australasia, Europe, and the United States with high-profile appearances at coveted arts and music festivals like Green Man and End Of The Road Festival. Success was measured through sellout shows in key markets such as London, Paris, Sydney, and Melbourne, media appearances on the likes of BBC’s Later… with Jools Holland, Spotify streams reaching 17.38 million plays, #2 in Mojo magazine for Album of the Year, and in New Zealand as a finalist for both the Silver Scrolls Awards (2017) and the Taite Prize (2016 and 2018). This year Nadia is working on her third record, due for release in September 2019.
Then there’s Bullhorn – formed in 2011, this brass-based, MC-led explosion combine virtuosic musicianship, crazy arrangements, catchy grooves, and upbeat rhythms to whip the audience into a veritable frenzy. Their presence is formidable; armed with trumpets, trombones, saxophones, drums, the mighty sousaphone, and the massive presence of Roman MC. As Bullhorn starts to play, audiences will experience intoxicating grooves and huge rumbling sounds around them as they descend into a world of sonic textures created live, acoustic, and real.
And check out Pony Face, the magnetic fivepiece who have established themselves as one of the most revered and beloved bands in the Melbourne music scene. Their sound is mesmerising and immersive: creating layers of hypnotising electric guitar textures around deep driving bass grooves, with echoes from the Badlands. With the recent addition of ARIA Awarding-winning guitarist/producer Shane O’Mara, the band has a dazzling energy that captivates both intimate rooms and expansive festivals.
And what about Emily Wurramara – the Groote Eylandt-via-Brisbane singer/songwriter who released her debut EP Black Smoke in 2016, containing stories from her heart and childhood sung in both English and her traditional language Anindilyakwa; the EP stunned listeners across the country and saw Emily tour both nationally and internationally. Two years on, with a child of her own and a world of wisdom at her feet, Emily Wurramara has officially announced the long-awaited release of her debut album Milyakburra. Milyakburra was nominated for a 2018 ARIA Award for Best Blues and Roots Album and four 2019 Queensland Music Award nominations including Album of the Year. This year sees Emily playing alongside the likes of Dan Sultan, Archie Roach, and Nahko and The Medicine People – definitely one not to be missed!
Just some of the acts at Bello Winter Music in Bellingen, 11–14 July. Tix on sale now at bellowintermusic.com
Celtic Tenors
Byron Centre | Friday 17 May | 7.30pm | $59/$69
When you put together three brilliant tenor voices with natural Irish charm, singing spine-tingling classical, folk, Irish, Gaelic and pop favourites in stacked three-part harmonies, then mix them up with quick-witted banter, you have The Celtic Tenors.
The charismatic globe-trotting trio, the most successful classical crossover artists ever to have come out of Ireland, are returning to Australia in May 2019. They just sing songs they love, and they most certainly don’t take themselves too seriously. It’s all about the music, the harmonies, and the fun. Three unique solo voices, but when called upon – one tenor sound!
While each of The Celtic Tenors have been influenced by the musical traditions from their own individual parts of Ireland, Daryl Simpson, James Nelson, and Matthew Gilsenan show great flexibility in melding their voices to suit the appropriate genres.
The Celtic Tenors will also perform The Irish Songbook on their 2019 Australian tour with such classics as Finnegan’s Wake, In The Gloaming, Song For Ireland, Danny Boy, The Dutchman, Caledonia, You Raise Me Up and many more favourites.
With a polished international reputation and over a million album sales worldwide, The Celtic Tenors offer something truly unique. The skill, range, and ability of world-class tenors combined with the personality and fun of genuine Irish performers.
‘Three separately and distinctive classically trained tenors, who when they come together are a superbly flawless unit. They combine the high standards of operatic singing with a delightfully informal sense of fun.’ (The Irish Examiner)
‘The finest version of Danny Boy I have ever heard.’ (US former president Bill Clinton)
They are at Byron Theatre Friday 17 May. Get your tickets now at byroncentre.com.au
