Festivals Update: February 23
Image: Bec Sandridge
NEIL FINN, NIC CESTER, REMI JOIN BLUESFEST
Neil Finn and his band are joining Bluesfest’s Monday bill, vacated by Barry Gibb’s sudden exit.
A heap of other acts were also announced yesterday for the Byron Bay event:
- Jet frontman Nic Cester is previewing his solo album.
- Vintage Trouble blew the place apart last year.
- Bluesfest regulars Playing For Change continue to spread their message of peace while their first single Stand By Me hits 100 million YouTube views. This year they bring with them blind 5-octave gospel singer Ellis Hall and Grammy-winning blues guitarist Vasti Jackson.
- Remi and Sensible J make their Bluesfest debut.
- The Wilson Pickers, a team up of five Queensland singer-songwriters, continue their return last year after a hiatus while Danny Widdicombe recovered from leukaemia.
- The Round Mountain Girls, a bunch of part-time musos, got together almost ten years ago in a shed on Round Mountain in the most northern part of NSW to play “a buncha old songs for a bit a fun, went on to become festival faves.
- The four-piece The Australian Ukulele Show (TAUS) pay homage to the First Australians, the First Fleet, Ned Kelly, Banjo Patterson, the ANZACS, Peter Allen, Keith Urban, The Bee Gees, Lee Kernaghan, John Farnham and more.
- IVY, the winners of last year’s Bluesfest busking comp, are set to release their second EP Lady Of Stone.
BOYUP BROOK BEATS THE RAIN
With week long rain causing such flooding that the water level got within centimetres of the top of the permanent music park stage, organisers of WA’s Boyup Brook Country Music and volunteers worked until 2am building a protective wall and moving the stage to higher ground.
The result was a tremendous success, according to audiences as well as artists including headliner Lee Kernaghan, 2016 Star Maker winner Karin Page, Carter & Carter and Nannup-born Patrick McMahon.
RUBENS, BEAUTIFUL GIRLS HEADING TO INAUGURAL COOLY BEACHFEST
The inaugural Cooly Beachfest is held March 18 at Queen Elizabeth Park in Coolangatta, to coincide with the world famous Quiksilver Pro.
The Rubens, The Beautiful Girls, Dorsal Fins, Bec Sandridge and The Vanns join food and market stalls and fully licensed bars. Legendary surf champion Rabbit Bartholomew is its ambassador.
WANNA PLAY CALOUNDRA MUSIC?
Deadline for artist applications to play Caloundra Music Festival (September 29—October 2) is March 10. Check out the 2016 lineupto see if you’d fit the bill.
INFO NIGHT TO PRESENT AT DARWIN FRINGE
Applications to present at Darwin Fringe opened yesterday, So organisers are holding an Information Night today (Thursday Feb 23) for anyone interested in presenting, performing or volunteering at the event.
Things start at 5.30pm for a 6pm start at the Darwin Railway Club, where folks can talk about their ideas, ask any burning questions, and learn more about the 2017 Darwin Fringe.
INSTANT SELL-OUT FOR SECOND GAYTIMES
Capped to 1000 patrons, queer music festival Gaytimes was an instant sell-out in its second year. With so many people training it from NSW to the Marysville ranges outside Melbourne, organisers are also looking at a Sydney site.
Those arriving at the site were welcomed with a giant rainbow, after which they got outdoor performances from the likes of Paul Mac, Banoffee, Oscar Key Sung, GL and Kylie Auldist and an all-night rave, as well as yoga, face painting, speed dating, workshops, life drawing, discussions about sexuality and drag queen bingo.
JOB OPPS AT DARWIN FESTIVAL
Darwin Festival (August 10–27) has job vacancies for a technical manager, crew, ticketing manager, program coordinator, and marketing coordinator. See darwinfestival.org.au for various application deadlines: the first of these is next Monday. If you have any additional questions, contact Production Manager Ben on (08) 8943 4200.
UNDERWORLD TO HEAD NEW NZ FEST
New Zealand gets a new late summer festival called Oro, whereUnderworldwill headline with their first NZ full-stage production. With tickets capped at 6000, it will be held Saturday April 8, at the lush surrounds of Te Ngahere o Woodhill (Woodhill Forest), in Waimauku, Auckland.
The event is staged by promoter Dave Roper in partnership with local iwi who were keen to see people make use of their land and environment. More acts will be announced shortly.
SILVER RAVEN PARTNERS WITH BAROSSA VINTAGE
In its second year, South Australia’s Silver Raven (April 22 at Turkey Flat vineyard) has partnered with Barossa Vintage Festival which is celebrating its 70th anniversary April 19 to 23.
Barossa Vintage Director Andrew Dundon said Silver Raven was the latest regional event filling a gap in reinvigorating the music festival scene.
“The 2016 Silver Raven Festival was one of the best music festivals I have seen in South Australia and will only continue to grow in its success,” he said.
Silver Raven’s bill is headlined by Philadelphia psych-rock band Strand Of Oaks along with fellow American acts, San Francisco pop band Sonny and The Sunsets and Nashville singer-songwriter Johnny Fritz.
The Australian contingent includes Henry Wagons & The Only Children, Jen Cloher in full band mode with one Courtney Barnett on guitar, Ruby Boots, Lost Ragas and Adelaide outfits The San Sebastian and Wanderers.
There’s Turkey Flat’s selection of wines, beer by local brewers Pirate Life and food from local suppliers. For those who want to indulge, a return bus transfer to Adelaide is offered.
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