Bello Winter Music
9-12 July
This year at Bello there’s something for everyone – there’s Alabama dirt road soul from Kirsty Lee (USA), foot stomping hoedowns from Albi and The Wolves (NZ), deep afro-funk grooves from Cool Out Sun, and jazz-funk from Melbourne six-piece Sunnyside.
Alt-country juggernaut Andy Golledge’s shows are legendary in his Sydney hometown, so too are James Ellis and The Jealous Guys as one of Melbourne’s most loved country and honky tonk bands. Brothers in harmony, Coterie, are on their way to Bello from Perth, up-and-coming soul hip hop artist, Okenyo, is on her way from Sydney, where she has been making waves with her unique sound. Sure-fire festival favourites Bobby Alu, Tinpan Orange and soul legend, JoJo Smith, will join NSW Central Coast ones-to-watch Little Quirks, and northern NSW’s, Tanuki.
Now in its sixth year, Bello Winter Music is a family friendly whole-town festival. The festival will be taking a break next year (2021) while the main venue, the Bellingen Memorial Hall, undergoes renovations.
Bello Winter Music, 9–12 July. For tickets and program info, go to bellowintermusic.com.
Write to Rise, songwriting workshops for women
South Golden Beach | Sunday 29 March, 12–4pm
Award-winning songwriter Aine Tyrrell is leading a charge to close the gaping gender divide in the music industry with ‘Write to Rise’ songwriting workshops for women. In this practical group session, Aine will share songwriting techniques, workshop your songs and ideas, and explore why we feel we don’t have permission to write.
‘Write to Rise’ is happening on Sunday 29 March, 12–4pm around a rebel kitchen table in South Golden Beach.
It’s for women of all ages and levels of experience, and costs $100, which includes lunch and refreshments. Book your place in history at www.ainetyrrell.com/touring. Workshop location provided on booking. Enquiries call 0420 986 570.
James Blundell supported by Chloe Styler
Mullumbimby Ex-Services | Saturday 21 March 8pm | $25
There are many terms people use when describing James Blundell: icon, legend, controversial, rebel. The truth is James Blundell is all of these things. He radiates an enthusiasm for everything that life has to offer, and it’s this authenticity that makes him one of the most instantly likeable and recognisable artists in Australian music.
Many say Blundell single-handedly shaped modern Australian country music fusing elements from John Mellencamp, The Band, and The Angels with the storytelling ethos of Slim Dusty and his own lyrical insight, sharp wit and empathy for the average working man. This, combined with his handsome good looks and country charm ensured there was no stopping his success across all demographics. James Blundell is one of only a handful of today’s country artists who live the authentic life of a country singer, managing his family-owned property in Stanthorpe QLD.
Catch him live in concert at Mullum Ex-Services on Saturday 21 March, at 8pm.
The East Pointers
The Hotel Great Northern, Byron Bay | Thursday, 19 March | 8pm
Award-winning Canadian trio, The East Pointers, transcend the barriers of traditional folk, with music that is complex, technically brilliant and heralding the next generation of folk fans with a modern, global kaleidoscope of sounds.
Earning rave reviews for their east coast shows over the new year period, including Woodford Folk Festival, where Yellow Wiggle, Emma Watkins, danced and performed AUSLAN for a number one charting single, Wintergreen, The East Pointers are excited to continue their run around the country.
With a brand new album, Yours To Break, in hand, The East Pointers are redefining the genre and hooking the next generation of folk fans with Billboard-worthy pop hooks, deep acoustic grooves, trance-like Celtic trad, and rich, three-part harmonies. Amassing over two million streams to date, and earning a whopping six East Coast Music Award nominations, Yours To Break was produced by multi- Grammy Award-winning songwriter and renowned producer, Gordie Sampson, and is musically complex, technically brilliant, and transcends the borders of traditional folk music. If the sold-out shows during their extensive international tour are anything to go by, the third East Pointers album, Yours To Break, will be their most important and successful yet.
The East Pointers play The Hotel Great Northern on Thursday, 19 March, 8pm. Tickets www.eastpointers.ca/shows.
Michael Simic (aka Mikelangelo)
Brunswick Picture House | Sunday 22 March | 5pm | $25-30
Michael Simic (aka Mikelangelo) ended six years of touring Cave-Waits-Cohen at the Picture House, and now debuts his new show.
Well known to Bruns audiences for his larger-than-life performances at Cheeky Cabaret and his internationally acclaimed Cave-Waits-Cohen show, Mikelangelo drops the persona to perform as himself, Michael Simic.
His music and lyrics draw on the evocative beauties of love and nature and can melt even the hardest heart. Simic is a prolific and impressive songwriter, and an arresting performer with a powerful voice and presence.
Acclaimed as the frontman of his group of 16 years, The Black Sea Gentlemen, and vocalist in the Olivier Award-winning production La Clique, Mikelangelo has toured the world, from the Sydney Opera House to London’s West End, seducing audiences and critics with his original songs and his effortless showmanship. Mikelangelo is also the winner of the Edinburgh Spirit Of The Fringe and Brighton Fringe Star of the Festival awards.
Join Michael as he shares stories and songs about his transformation from world touring artist to a dad singing lullabies to his baby. You’ll be laughing and crying as he traverses the sublime, the ridiculous, and everything in between. Accompanied by Melbourne legend Dave Evans on accordion and piano.
Brunswick Picture House, Sunday 22 March, 5pm. Tickets $25–30 plus bf from brunswickpicturehouse.com
