This year’s Mullum Laneways Festival, to be held on May 4 and 5, promises to be a feast for the senses, set to captivate visitors of all ages. On Sunday, May 5 everyone is encouraged to immerse themselves in the heart of the Festival, as Burringbar Street is transformed into a vibrant tapestry of music, dance, art, and more.This is a free event, funded by local sponsorship and a gala fundraising event on Saturday, May 4.
Relationships Australia NSW is calling for urgent intervention from the NSW government to address men’s violence against women, following the horrific murder of Molly Ticehurst.
There is something strange going on with youth crime in rural and regional Australia. Normally, I treat hysterical rising delinquency claims with a pinch of salt – explicable by an increase in police numbers, or a headline-chasing tabloid, or a right-wing politician.
Residents keen to stay up to date on the status of the temporary track at Tyalgum Road – particularly during significant rain events – are urged to sign up to a new SMS alert system launched by Tweed Shire Council.
This year is Nimbins 32nd annual MardiGrass and you’d reckon by now ‘weed’ be left alone.
The same helicopter raids, the disgusting, and completely unfair, saliva testing of drivers, and we’re still not allowed to grow our own plants. We can all access legal buds via a doctor, most of it imported from Canada, but we can’t grow our own. There’s something very wrong there.
Yirrmal, from the Rirratjingu clan group, hails from the North East Arnhem Land community of Yirrkala in Northern Territory and yesterday he took Bluesfest by storm! Photo Tree Faerie.
Arakwal woman Nickolla Clark was the first to sing at the Archie Roach tribute show. Photo Tree Faerie.
The absolute highlight of Good Friday at Bluesfest was the ‘Indigenous Friday’ on the Mojo stage as one awesome First Nations act after another keep out feet tapping, our hands clapping and our spirits rising.
Spinifex Gum. Photo Tree Faerie.
Spinifex Gum played their second show and delighted Bluesfest punters yet again with clear and angelic vocals and a message with punch.
Archie Roach’s nephew Lionel. Photo Tree Faerie.
Heartfelt Tribute to Archie Roach
The girls from Cairns were preceded by the Heartfelt Tribute to Archie Roach opened by Arakwal women Delta Kay and Nickolla Clark, with Nickolla singing a welcome song.
Archies’s nephew spoke about his Uncle before a powerful hour of Indigenous musos graced the stage, culminating in the entire group joining together to sing We Won’t Cry – but we did.
Yirrmal. Photo David Lowe.
Then the absolute festival highlight for the day Yirrmal – if you hadn’t heard of him before the show, you know who he is now. Yirral’s sometimes soaring, sometimes slow, sometimes sensitive and secretive, but always sensational vocals had everyone’s heart in their mouths.
He is on again tomorrow (Sunday) and Monday. Just don’t miss him!
A great day all round
Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram. Photo David Lowe.
It was an all round great day at Tyagrah with other fantastic shows including Marcus King, Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, Gang Of Youths, Steve Earle (in his second wonderful show) and Steve N Seagulls – I LAUGHED!
It’s a beautiful day out there people and a great line-up today.
Gang of Youths. Photo David Lowe.
GET THEE TO BLUESFEST!
Yirrmal with Danni Im. Photo David Lowe.
Marcus King. Photo David Lowe.
Marcus King. Photo David Lowe.
Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram playing in the crowd yesterday at Bluesfest. Photo David Lowe.
Gang of Youths. Photo David Lowe.
Gang of Youths. Photo David Lowe.
Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram. Photo David Lowe.
Gang of Youths. Photo David Lowe.
On stage with Yirrmal. Photo Tree Faerie.
It all happens backstage and the media team runs like clockwork. Gabby, Sarah and Olive took a moment side stage for a snap. Photo Tree Faerie.
Steve N Seagulls. Photo Tree Faerie.
Steve N Seagulls. Photo Tree Faerie.
Steve Earle. Photo Tree Faerie.
Steve Earle. Photo Tree Faerie.
Spinifex Gum. Photo Tree Faerie.
Marcus King Band. Photo Tree Faerie.
Marcus King. Photo Tree Faerie.
At her first festival one-year-old Eloise didn’t take long to get used to her headphones. Photo Tree Faerie.
Photo Tree Faerie.
Photo Tree Faerie.
Photo Tree Faerie.
Yirrmal with Danni Im. Photo David Lowe.
Marcus King. Photo David Lowe.
Marcus King. Photo David Lowe.
Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram playing in the crowd yesterday at Bluesfest. Photo David Lowe.
Gang of Youths. Photo David Lowe.
Gang of Youths. Photo David Lowe.
Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram. Photo David Lowe.
On stage with Yirrmal. Photo Tree Faerie.
It all happens backstage and the media team runs like clockwork. Byron Shire Deputy Mayor Sarah Ndiaye (centre) doubles at Bluesfest every year as the photographers manager. She has an awesome team including Gabrielle Lebon and Olive Andrews. Photo Tree Faerie.
Steve N Seagulls. Photo Tree Faerie.
Steve N Seagulls. Photo Tree Faerie.
Steve Earle. Photo Tree Faerie.
Marcus King. Photo Tree Faerie.
Marcus King Band. Photo Tree Faerie.
At her first festival one-year-old Eloise didn’t take long to get used to her headphones. Photo Tree Faerie.
Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.
Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.
Lismore and Ballina child protection caseworkers stopped work to protest outside the defunct Community Services Centre in Lismore yesterday after two years of working without an office. They have been joined by Ballina child protection caseworkers who had their office shut in January.
There is something strange going on with youth crime in rural and regional Australia. Normally, I treat hysterical rising delinquency claims with a pinch of salt – explicable by an increase in police numbers, or a headline-chasing tabloid, or a right-wing politician.
