The dictionary defines iconic as ‘widely recognised, representative, highly esteemed and symbolising something important like a culture, era or idea’.
Byron Bay is definitely iconic. A mecca of sand, sun and serenity, it’s a coastal paradise. Once known for its alternative culture, easy-going surfers and off-the-grid hippies, now lauded and lampooned for its yoga on the beach influencers, insanely priced real estate and of course super-famous Hollywood movie stars. Every year mainstream media naysayers write articles about how Byron’s lost it. But every year the hordes keep coming. Why? Because Byron Bay is iconic.
Mandy Nolan presents Byron Live: Iconic – 50-foot mother of five, comedian and almost MP two elections running, certainly gives iconic a crack. She moved to Byron in the early ‘90s, when you could rent a house on the beach for $150 and get a park at Wategos on a Sunday. Byron Live is a faux studio-styled face-to-face chat show where Nolan hosts hilarious, confronting, and riveting conversations – it’s our homegrown, and completely organic version of a Tonight Show, complete with live studio band, Katrina and the Greenies and an opening choreographed dance number with Mandy struggling to nail the moves!
The guests on the hot seat for the next Byron Live feature Madeleine West – rainforest regenerator, podcaster, activist, mom of seven and actress, star of some of the most iconic Aussie TV ever made – Neighbours.
Californian-born US Surfing Champion and local legend, the iconic Rusty Miller has called Byron Bay home since the 1970s. He’s as much a part of Byron as the lighthouse, and has taught generations of surfers how to paddle out and find a wave.
Singer-songwriter Gyan won the 1986 Star Search grand final, and is probably best known for her haunting 1989 track ‘Wait’. After winning an ARIA for Breakthrough Artist, she headed on an international trajectory before heading home, back to Byron – her creative base for the last three decades. With her partner Simon Greaves she continues to compose and record authentic, beautiful music.
Also on the hot seat is former lead singer of the legendary Sydney punk band Ragadoll, puppeteer, painter and cowboy, Jimmy Willing; and the Versace Boys, who are nouveau iconic.
Expect deep conversations, revelations, confessions and a few tunes when Mandy Nolan drills down on what makes the iconic Byronites of Byron so bloody Byron. It’s not just entertainment, it’s an artistic autopsy where this sharp-tongued host, cuts right to the bone!
Byron Bay Community Theatre
Saturday 21 March at 8pm
Suitable for 15+
Tickets are $50 ($40 concession)
byroncentre.com.au
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