13.8 C
Byron Shire
June 19, 2026

Top musicians return for Mullum Roots Festival

Latest News

In loving memory of Dr Tony Parkes AO PhD (1929 – 2026)

Dr Tony Parkes AO PhD, one of Australia’s most visionary conservation leaders and a pioneering force in ecological restoration, passed away last Thursday at the age of 96. He spent his final months at Honey Bee Homes in Ewingsdale.

Other News

Northern Rivers clubs shine at Clubs & Community Awards

Club Lennox and Twin Towns were among Northern Rivers clubs recognised at the Clubs & Community Awards, held last Thursday in Sydney.

WAVE – I Have Friends Everywhere

The closing date for entries is in October, so this is a callout for all design artists, fashion innovators, culture initiators and wearable inventors.

Empowering women and girls

Applications are now open for Northern Rivers Community Foundation's (NRCF) 2026 Empowering Women & Girls Grant, offering local not-for-profit organisations the opportunity to secure funding for projects that empower women and girls across the Northern Rivers.

Regional Seniors Travel Card to return if coalition win 2027 election

Member for Tweed Geoff Provest (Nationals) says he will bring back the Regional Seniors Travel Card if his government is voted in at the March 2027 election.

Early childhood educators to receive 15pc pay rise

The federal Labor government says it is investing a further $3.6 billion over the next two years to lock in the historic 15 cent pay rise for early childhood educators.

Appeal to locate wanted man Adam Richards

Police are appealing for assistance to locate a man wanted on outstanding warrants in the Casino area.

Locally-based 10-piece band, SOUL’D, is one of the acts to perform at the upcoming Mullum Roots Festival. The group has been a dynamic presence in the Northern NSW music scene for over 19 years, and is renowned for authentically recreating the retro sounds of the golden era of soul and R&B music. Here, the band are pictured at the Rocking Horse Studios, where they spent time last week recording new promotional material and capturing the legacy sound of founder Steve Sax. From left: Derek Siddon, Joshua Booyens, Rex Carter, Jake Bryant, Maddy Monacelli, John Conley, Eddie Bray, Dan Brown, and Steve McLeod. Photo Tree Faerie

A new iteration of Mullumbimby’s beloved music festival is set to debut on July 12 and 13 as a vibrant celebration of live music, community, and creativity.

Like the previous Mullumbimby Music Festival, the Mullum Roots Festival will be held throughout various venues throughout the town, including the Civic Hall, Bowlo, Ex-Services Club, and Courthouse Hotel.

Festival Director, Lou Bradley, says the aim is to celebrate original songwriting and performance, featuring a diverse lineup of acclaimed Australian artists.

She says, ‘The festival aims to foster creativity and diversity, drawing on the successful model of its sister event, the Nimbin Roots Festival’.

The 2025 festival boasts a stellar lineup, headlined by The Waifs, Jeff Lang, Shane Howard, Emily Lubitz, JB’s Blues Breakers, The Versace Boys, The Soul Movers, Robert Forster, Dog Trumpet, Tamam Shud, Claire Anne Taylor, Clelia Adams, Rod McCormack, Felicity & Josh and David Bridie.

Psychedelic Sat

On Saturday, the Civic Hall will host a special event with Ellis D Fogg’s legendary light show, featuring performances from Robert Forster, Dog Trumpet, and Tamam Shud.

Hootenanny Sunday 

A country-themed Sunday lineup includes Claire Anne Taylor, Clelia Adams, Rod McCormack, and Felicity & Josh.
The Love Bus shuttle service will transport festivalgoers between venues.
For more info visit: www.mullumrootsfest.com.



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.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Caring for community

The Rotary Club of Mullumbimby presented a cheque for $10,000 to the Brunswick Surf Life Saving Club (BSLSC) in support of its ongoing operations.

Lismore shops enchanted for Lantern Parade

Winners of Lismore’s Enchanted Windows comp have been announced, with The Two Ravens taking top spot. The comp is part of the city's Lantern Parade, to be held this Saturday, 20 June.

AI: Artificial Intelligence, or Artificial Inflation?

It feels as if AI is everywhere – whether it’s those intrusive bots on every website or every headline about how it’s either going to be a boon for humanity, or end us.

Flood gauges installed in Ballina and Wardell 

Residents in Ballina and Wardell will have more more localised flood warnings, giving them time to prepare before floodwaters arrives, thanks to new flood forecast services along the Richmond River.