Born the son of a preacher, Dan Hannaford’s love of music started with listening to hymns and playing the drums in church on Sunday mornings as a child. By his teens he found rock ’n’ roll and formed his first punk band straight out of high school. He began writing songs and fronting pub rock gigs around Northern NSW.
Hannaford has earned a reputation as one of the hardest working, independent solo musicians on the East Coast.
Thursday from 7.30pm at The Rails, Byron Bay. Free show.
From the traditional garage in the Byron Shire comes Ratmongers – Brian Foster, Karlin O’Halloran and Liam Groves – a powerful next-generation three-piece raised on nineties grunge.
Friday from 7pm at Howl & Moan Records, Byron Bay. Free show.
The Blues Club is a showcase of blues bands and blues artists from the Northern Rivers and beyond. Punters have the chance to experience some of the best live music for free.
This Sunday, FBI (Federal Blue’s Inc.) features Mr Tommy Cuyler on ‘electrifying’ guitar and vocals, and Mr Fabulous, Steve Foster on harmonica. Of course, Slim Pickins is a blues stalwart with his old-style blues, bringing slide and Dobro to the Sunday Sessions.
Sunday, 2pm at the Ballina RSL. Free show.
The Babe Rainbow party is coming to Hotel Bruns on Friday.
They are bringing with them Bananagun and Single Celled Organism for a crazy, jazzed-out jambalaya of gems. Gather your friends, this will be a night to remember.
Friday from 6pm at Hotel Brunswick.Tickets: $25 from moshtix.com.au.
Acid Bleed is a local five-piece jazz band playing a mean blend of hot gypsy swing, jazz infused with a spicy Latin groove. Their repertoire includes classic jazz standards and also plucky and funky originals.
This Sarturday will be Acid Bleed’s third fundraising concert for Northern Rivers for Refugees to help refugee families settle in the region.
Supper provided, but BYO friends, drinks and nibbles, have a blast and maybe a dance.
Saturday from 6.30 pm at Tintenbar Hall. Tickets: $25/$20 from events.humanitix.com/swing-to-acid-bleed.
New Earth is a one-day multicultural event dedicated to connection, sharing, healing, growth, transformation and celebration.
This event brings together a diverse community of healers, leaders, wisdom keepers, practitioners, musicians, artists, and visionaries to harmoniously co-create a new earth.
Saturday from 9am at Murwillumbah Showground.Tickets: $30 at the gate (First Nations people free).
Germinated from the fertile artistic soils of the Northern Rivers, Hashimoto’s Cactus is the lovechild of Stephen Lovelight, whose original power rock, blues, pop, trio project, with Hans Lovejoy and Michael Di Cecco, explores psychedelic sounds of ‘60s pop and blues – yet, they sound modern enough not to be pigeon-holed into nostalgia. Alongside some serious heavy rock riffing and catchy choruses, there are moments of folk and country too. They also ambitiously rip into Hendrix and Zeppelin tunes.
Saturday from 10pm at The Northern, Byron Bay. Free show.
Tommy Memphis is a musical chameleon, seamlessly transitioning between rock ‘n’ roll and country, while sprinkling in other genres for good measure.
Attending one of Tommy’s shows is more than just a musical experience; it’s an uplifting journey that will leave you feeling better about yourself—a trademark of his exceptional talent. Don’t miss the chance to witness Tommy Memphis at Morning Melodies – it’s a musical encounter that will leave you smiling from ear to ear!
Friday from 9.30am at the Ballina RSL. Tickets: $17.50 from ballinarsl.com.au.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
