Byron Bay articles of interest.

The Nimbin Mardi Grass is set for a HUGE year this year, celebrating their 20th anniversary! Entry into Plantem Park and the Nimbin Hall where most MardiGrass events are held costs $50 for a weekend pass including Friday night, or $30 for a one day pass. With three nights camping a full ticket costs $100. Armbands are available at the Nimbin Hall and the Hemp Embassy. Camping sites and tickets can be booked online at www.nimbinmardigrass.com The 21st annual Cannabis law reform rally and gathering begins at midday on Wednesday May 1st when we march from Lismore Court House to the Police Station (Next Door), then to the office of our local Federal MP Janelle Saffin, and on to the [...]

Today is Harmony Day in Byron!! Lots of great food and entertainment happening in Railway Park… from 12-9pm… it also sees the last of the Artisans Markets happening for this season… Get along and enjoy the festivities!!

On Saturday January 12 the YAC Amphitheatre is set to come alive with with the sounds of 20 young hardcore and metal bands in the first festival of it’s kind, the Which Way Festival. It will feature many of the bands who have played at the YACROCKCAFE at the Byron Youth Activities Centre on Friday nights throughout 2012. The Which Way Festival on Saturday January 12 was the brainchild of James Heath, member of local young hardcore band Like Cannons. James wanted to do a fundraiser to help to purchase more equipment for the bands to use on Friday nights. His idea spread like wildfire, with nearly 20 bands signing up to play the festival within a week! Currently the [...]

The YACROCKCAFE will tonight host a Hardcore Party for the launch of Cringe The Binge – National Weekend Of Action! The YACROCKCAFE is a music based drop-in for high school and uni aged young people which happens every Friday night at the Byron Youth Activities Centre (YAC). Since it kicked off in March this year, the YACROCKCAFE has seen young bands from as far away as Launceston & Melbourne hit the stage each week, with many of the bands coming from Byron Shire, the Gold Coast and Brisbane. On average, each week, four bands play between 7 & 10pm. The YACROCKCAFE is supported by BUDDI (Byron Underage Drinking & Drug Initiative – Community Drug Action Team), Byron Youth Service and [...]

Third Artist Announcement Bluesfest 2013: It’s A Bluesfest Dream Come True Today Bluesfest, Australia’s multi award winning Festival, held annually over the long Easter Weekend (March 28 to April 1) announced its 3rd sensational Line-Up for 2013! Headlining this announcement is ROBERT PLANT, the legendary front man of the band Led Zeppelin, presenting Sensational Shape Shifters. Led Zeppelin came to Australia in 1972 and a Robert Plant Tour of Australia has been long awaited by his Australian fans.  He last toured in 1996 with Jimmy Page. Plant was voted in the Rolling Stone Readers Pick in 2011, ‘The Best Lead Singer of All Time’. Even greater is the news that he has been performing 8 Led Zeppelin songs on stage [...]

The Beachside Markets are a 100% make it, bake it, grow it market held on the Byron Bay beachfront near the surf club at main beach. Open from 8 – 4pm this market showcases a diverse and exciting collection of high quality art, sculpture, ceramics, glass, home wares, fashion, craft, toys, clothing and music created by local artists and designers as well as an array of services offered by our health and wellbeing practitioners. The focus and emphasis of the Beachside Market is on authenticity and fosters both originality and sustainability. Its conception echoes the worldwide popularity and growing demand for direct-from-the-artist-to- you handmade, high quality and affordable art and design. This Artisan Market provides an unparalleled opportunity for artists, [...]

THERE ARE NO EXCUSES FOR BORED TEENS IN BYRON BAY ON FRIDAY NIGHTS! THE YACROCKCAFE IS GOING OFF! The YACROCKCAFE is a music cafe for high school and uni aged young people, at the Byron Youth Activities Centre. Open every Friday night, music teachers and mentors are available in the Loud Room from 5-7pm some Fridays, followed by jam sessions and performance opportunities for young bands and musicians on the YAC stage from 7-10pm… There are also special gig nights with special guest artists… The Byron S.A.E. provide sound engineering students on work-placement to manage the sound for these events and a full PA is set up onstage every week for performing artists to use. Young bands and musicians can [...]

Since it started on March 9, the YACROCKCAFE at the Byron Youth Activities Centre, has seen over 100 young musicians and bands take to the stage. For many, it has been their first public appearances. The YACROCKCAFE is a music-based safe-socialising weekly drop-in program for teenagers, that happens on Friday nights from 5-10pm. The YAC stage is set up each Friday with a full PA system, which is managed by sound engineering students from the SAE, on work placement. The idea of these nights is to encourage young bands and musicians to get together and play music to a live audience in a drug and alcohol-free youth-friendly space. There have been a number of special party nights, including workshops from [...]

On Thursday July 26, UKE MULLUM has been presenting the monthly UKE NIGHT at Mullum’s Courthouse Hotel for a whole year!!! Prepare yourselves for a UKE-TASTIC FIRST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION with special guest performers:  MAE WILDE, THE THREE LITTLE SISTERS, STARBOARD CANNONS, JOEL SALOM, PLUS newcomer PETER HADDOCK and even more. Some of the songs for this month have been chosen by you in our poll. The most popular song was… you guessed it… You Are My Sunshine followed closely by Pumped Up Kicks and Lonley Boy by the Black Keys. (nice one peoples!) Download the July Song Book Here. Remember, Uke Mullum nights are on the last Thursday of every month at the Courthouse Hotel. Be sure to mark the [...]

BLUESFEST CLAIM VICTORY IN COUNCIL ROW Organisers of the Byron Bay Bluesfest are claiming a “huge win” after the Director General of the NSW Government’s Planning and Infrastructure department advised Byron Shire Council to scrap a controversial “major events” clause. The latest development in an ongoing saga between Bluesfest, and its director Peter Noble, and the Byron Council, the dispute surrounds the Byron Events Policy and its restriction on events to be held in the region. The letter from Sam Haddad, Director General of Planning and Infrastructure, reads, “I have decided… that the Byron Shire proposed “Major Events’ Clause, should not proceed. “I have formed the opinion that the proposal is not in the public interest, I believe matters of [...]

VIBADELIX One Earth ~Arts Music & Environment Festival For the third year running Vibadelix Arts, Music and Environment Festival will be presented by Rock the YAC Productions at the Youth Activity Centre. Our theme this year is One Earth – Get ‘Fracking’ Aware! – We are fundraising to combat Coal Seam Gas mining in the region. We are calling out to all interested performers, musicians, visual and creative artists and environmentalists to perform, exhibit or speak at the festival and run creative and environmental workshops. Vibadelix will be a vibrant celebration of community spirit, raising awareness on environmental issues featuring an eclectic mix of music, bands, DJs, Singer/songwriters, circus, theatre performances, market stalls, an art exhibition and creative workshops on [...]

BEATS N ROOTS HIP HOP SUMMIT AND CRANKFEST XTREME FINALE… Today marks day four of the Beats N Roots Hip Hop Summit and Youth Arts Leadership Conference, with a HUGE day planned at the Byron YAC today. Hundreds of young people have been involved in two days of dancing and making beats, keynote presentations, master classes, workshops and performances on Thursday and Friday at Multitask in Lismore, followed by CrankFest Xtreme in Evans Head yesterday. Sunday at the YAC 11am-2pm Special screening of Morganics Documentary with Q&A followed by a Hip Hop Community Worker Master class and artsworker round table forum in Byron Bay at the Byron YAC 2pm-5pm-Beats in the Bay Music Gig – featuring some of the best [...]

YOUTH WEEK PARTY AT THE YAC!! Tonight’s the night!! Huge line-up of local young talent! Open mic happening throughout the night too, so let all your young folk know that if they wanna come down and play a few songs, they’re welcome to do so! There’s heaps of instruments available to use or they can bring their own! Artists playing tonight include Reilly Fitzalan, Chelsea June, Loki Hough & Elliott Cooper Brain, Vanessa & Arna Rogers and Ben Meek & the Paper Navitators!! MC for the night is Byron’s own Dancin’ Man Thomas Franklin, get out your dancin’s shoes and ROCK ON DOWN TO THE YAC and do some dorking- Tommy style!! They’re starting early, 5-10pm…. It’s a Celebration of [...]

Organisers of the 2012 Splendour In The Grass, have this morning announced a totally HUGE line-up for this years festival! For three days in July, Belongil Fields will come alive with the awesome sounds of - Jack White, Bloc Party, Smashing Pumpkins, At The Drive-In, Lana Del Rey, Azealia Banks, The Shins, Hilltop Hoods, The Kooks, Gossip, Miike Snow, Dirty Three, 360, Tame Impala, Explosions In The Sky, Ladyhawke, The Afghan Whigs, Missy Higgins, Wolfmother, Metric, Kimbra, Mudhoney, Band Of Skulls, Spiderbait, Django Django, Gypsy & The Cat, San Cisco, Last Dinosaurs, Electric Guest, Muscles, Angus Stone, DZ Deathrays, Howler, Lanie Lane, Wolf & Cub, Fun., Big Scary, Michael Kiwanuka, Seekae, Friends, Yacht Club Dj’s, Bertie Blackman, Jinja Safari, Blue King [...]

Byron Bay’s YACROCKCAFE @ the YAC are celebrating Youth Week with a massive free party for local youth on the 20th of April. The YACROCKCAFE kicked off back in March with a HUGE party. The Youth Week Party is looking at being even better! MC for the night is Byron’s very own Dancin’ Man Thomas Franklin. Young performers booked to play the party include Gabe & Cecilia Brandolini, Reilly Fitzalan, Vanessa & Arna Rogers, Ben Meek & the Paper Navigators, Chelsea June & Zep Hamilton and Loki Hough & Elliott Cooper Brain. YACROCKCAFE Coordinator Nicqui Yazdi said “All of these young musicians are incredibly talented and most of them have just played at the BluesFest. Gabe Brandolini is now living [...]

As the commencement of Bluesfest draws near, the Bluesfest Busking Comp Finals are takingtaking shape to be one of the biggest events to hit the Beach Hotel, Wednesday 4th April will become the unofficial start of the 2012 annual Byron Bay Bluesfest.  Kicking off at 4pm we will see the three finalists for the Grommets take to the stage with guest judge Minnie Marks (the little pocket rocket that took out last year’s Busking Comp) joining the panel of judges to take on the difficult task of selecting  the cream of the crop. When dusk starts to settle be sure to see the Beach Hotel take on a whole new shape as the open finals kick into full gear commencing at [...]

Grommet Busking Comp Bonanza – NEW IN 2012 Under 18′s Grommet heats 17th & 18th March @ YAC. – TODAY AND TOMORROW!!! For the first time, the Bluesfest Busking Comp will be including a Grommet Busking Comp where musicians under the age of 18 have an opportunity to reveal their abilities in their own exclusive category. The Grommet division will be set up in a similar fashion to the original Bluesfest Busking Comp offering heats in Byron Bay on a weekend prior to the Bluesfest with the finals to be held at the Beach Hotel prior to the adult finals. This is an exciting change to this year’s comp and is key to the expansion and development of the Bluesfest [...]

Do you want to volunteer to do some good things in the community? Then head on down to the Volunteers Expo at the Community Centre on Thursday… Keep your eye out for the BUDDI stall… BUDDI (the Byron Underage Drinking & Drug Initiative-Community Drug Action Team) needs volunteers for the new YACROCKCAFE, a teen music cafe at the YAC every Friday night; the Byron Schoolies Safety Response Schoolie HUB and other community events… Are you up for volunteering?? Head on down and sign up to be a volunteer! BUDDI – the Byron Underage Drinking & Drug Initiative-Community Drug Action Team BUDDI was formed under NSW Health Community Drug Strategies Program and is auspiced by Byron Youth Service. BUDDI Team membership [...]

YACROCKCAFE Opening on March 9th at the Byron Youth Activities Centre – Music-based Drop-in for Teens Something exciting is about to kick-off for young people in Byron Bay on Friday nights. The YACROCKCAFE is a free weekly music-based drop-in program for high school aged young people on Friday nights at the Byron Youth Activities Centre. The YACROCKCAFE will commence on Friday March 9th with a special opening night party sponsored by Project U-Turn. Guest artists on the night include awarding winning young band Lifeline, Mitchell Smith (X-Factor), Cecilia Brandolini, Loki Hough and Haven Hough. There will be giveaways from surf and skateboard company, Bone Machine, including a custom made skateboard and t-shirt packs and free pizza from the new Byron [...]

DRUMMING IT UP: The Samba Blisstas will be back for New Year’s Eve. Extra festivities for NYE FOR the first time in years there will be a countdown and fireworks to welcome in the New Year at Byron Bay. Organised by Byron United, the extra festivities will focus on being low-key and family-friendly as they have in past years. Byron United president Paul Waters said all activities would be held in Apex Park at the beachfront. He said a stage would be set up with low key, ambient music and Arakwal dancers and the Samba Blisstas would also perform. “There will be a countdown to midnight and a few fireworks, but we want to stress that the festivities will be [...]

Getting ready to Occupy Nimbin Bridge, is organiser Belinda Marsh at the front with some of the musicians and music lovers who want the bridge kept. OCCUPY Nimbin Bridge will see the town’s musos and music lovers take over the old Nimbin bridge to draw attention to the fact it is soon to be demolished. Organiser of the event Belinda Marsh said everyone was welcome to join them when they light up the bridge for an evening of acoustic music by some of Nimbin’s most talented performers. The old timber Cullen Bridge is due to be demolished in February after a new concrete bridge was constructed this year. According to Ms Marsh, the council set back its plans to tear [...]

Earthdance Byron 2011 – Give Peace a Dance! Electric Forest is very excited to announce this year’s Earthdance Byron event at Durrumbul Hall on Saturday September 24th 2011 7:30 to midnight. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the spring equinox and a potent date astrologically with Mars trine Uranus equalling quantum shifts of perspective and tackling challenges in new ways…a chance to free your body and free your mind to Byron’s funkiest electronic grooves. Earthdance Byron is the region’s longest running annual dance music festival. This year’s line-up features local live world/electro/hip-hop fusion act Nakula and world-renowned DJ’s Ray Castle, Pop and pob – Earthdance Byron is once again shaping up to be the region’s dance event of the year. [...]

Santa Cruz Sunday Sessions happening today at the Owl & Pussycat Tappas Bar with Supernova Jade from 4pm – Marvel Street Byron Bay… 1950′s Style Prawn Cocktail Corona Buckets with King Prawns Free entry before 5pm 5pm – $5 & a Free Bloody Mary 6pm – $6 & a Free Gin & Tonic 7pm – $7 & a Free Cuba Libre See you there…

Crowds winding up for a big day at Splendour in the Grass 2010 listening to Yacht Club DJs. BLUESFEST director Peter Noble has hit back at claims that he doesn’t understand the issues surrounding Byron Shire’s policy on major events. Mayor Jan Barham said recently that Mr Noble’s belief that the events policy was “anti-music” was “confused”. Music events had been singled out because they were occasions which had an impact on the wider community and could cause conflict, so needed planning regulations. But Mr Noble said there was no confusion around the fact that most people in the community wanted to see music presented in a safe, friendly setting outside of pubs and clubs in the town. He also [...]

- Tree Planting, Music, Art and Community Action Day – * Fyah Walk * Raz Bin Sam & The Lion I Band * Cheap Fakes * Crunk Dub Love * Danny Ross * Shai Shriki * Nathan Kaye * STOP COAL SEAM GAS MINING ACTION & much more….. Entrance $15 – Tickets pre-sale at Three Worlds & Byron music and at the door Today at 2:00pm Durrumbul Hall Coopers Lane Mullumbimby, Australia

Neil Finn THE Pajama Club is coming to Byron Bay, and this isn’t just any bunch of bananas. International music icon Neil Finn and his wife Sharon formed the band after jamming at home in their pyjamas. Although they have played just one gig to family and friends at home in New Zealand, they are yet to play to fans anywhere in the world. The band’s global debut performance will be at Byron Bay’s Great Northern Hotel on Saturday, June 11. One of only four gigs on the tour, the Finns will then head to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to promote their debut album From A Friend To A Friend, set for release in August. We would like to think [...]

With Khamal performing poems of passion, Paul Kelly live in concert, Louis de Bernieres reflecting on films and fiction, James Redfield on the Celestine Prophecies and Bill Leak’s hard-hitting cartoons, earlybird ticket sales for the 2011 Byron Bay Writers Festival are off to a flying start. Festival director Candida Baker said ticket sales to date were breaking all previous records. The 15th annual festival will be held from August 5 to 7. Ms Baker is confident the amazing array of talent on the guest list will have people flocking to Byron Bay for what has arguably become Australia’s most-loved literary festival. “2011 will be a year of breaking new ground for the festival,” she said. “As well as the new [...]

LOCAL Heroes Parkway Drive rocked the stage at Byron Bay High School on Thursday night. What began as a compilation of heavy acts and international pop-punk bands ended as a typical hardcore show of which Byron fans just can’t seem to get enough. Parkway Drive’s homecoming attracted a massive turnout and, with the second Parkway Drive DVD being filmed on this tour, the crowd went crazy in for a show unlikely to be forgotten. Byron Bay hardcore has always been known as being different from the rest but this stunning visual performance took it to the next level. From the usual rubber boats and surfboard stage dives to shark suits and the odd streaker, it was a show well worth [...]

Minnie Marks (above right) set the Bluesfest busking competition alight and has been touted as “the next big thing” on the local music scene. NORTH Coast singer-songwriter Minnie Marks has been touted as the “next big thing” in the local music scene. The 17-year-old recently won the Byron Bay Busking competition at Bluesfest and $2000 worth of studio time at 301 studios. The offers have been flowing thick and fast to sign Marks to a record deal, but at this stage she’s not having a bar of it. “I’d rather do the indie thing for a while longer – it’s just the cool thing to do,” she said. Having released her first independent album, Mystery Box, two years ago, Marks [...]

Essential Info for the BluesFest To make your entry to the Festival as easy and relaxed as possible, please make sure you haveYOUR (E) TICKETS and ID ready for scanning by the festival gate staff as you arrive at the Festival Entry. NOTE – There are 2 main entries to the Festival this year. South entry: For campers, busses, taxis, drop off & pickups and disabled parking. You won’t miss the signs guiding you the right way. North entry: For Day parking only. Parking will be free of charge, but we do encourage everyone to take the bus and ride to and from the Festival. Important message: Strict searches of cars will occur before entry to Festival. Alcohol and glass will [...]

British singer-songwriter Elvis Costello, who will be performing at Bluesfest with The Imposters on Monday and Tuesday, is renowned for jumping from one genre to another over his long career in the music industry. WITH Bluesfest kicking off in two days, the who’s who of the music business are rolling into the Northern Rivers. While artists like Grace Jones and Elvis Costello are touring other parts of the country, some acts are already making their way into Byron Bay. Michael Franti heads in tomorrow for his benefit concert at The Great Northern, while others are already here. Luciano and Ernest Ranglin are here, ready for their slots on Thursday’s schedule. Elvis Costello won’t touch down in Byron Bay until Sunday, [...]

Good Days Night’s (from left) Sam Jeffery, Cameron Miller and Damon Gill. NORTHERN RIVERS band Good Days Night (GDN) has earned a place in the semi-finals of YouthRock 2011 in Sydney this week. . Sponsored by the NSW Centre for Road Safety, YouthRock has been an integral part of NSW Youth Week since 2000, showcasing student bands to the music industry. About 36 bands from across the State will contest the event. GDN comprises Damon Gill (drums), Sam Jeffery (vocals and bass guitar) and Cameron Miller (guitar). Both Damon and Cameron had played in bands in Singapore prior to coming to Lismore’s Kadina High. “We formed GDN within a fortnight of Damon coming here. The timing was perfect,” Cameron said. [...]

Byron Bay’s peak business lobby group Byron United and the Byron Bay Community Association are at loggerheads over the association’s push to establish asecond permanent monthly market in the town. BYRON BAY’S peak business group, Byron United, and the Byron Bay Community Association are facing off over plans to make the trial second Byron Bay monthly market a permanent fixture. Byron United says a permanent second market “is not acceptable” to its members, while the community association, which manages the market, says it is “disappointed” with Byron United’s stance. A trial second monthly market has been held at the Butler Street Reserve during summer, with the trial due to end after the March 20 market. Byron United president Sevegne Newton [...]

Trinity College Lismore student, Jye Hudson-Sheaffe, 15, is over the moon after writing a album review for Rolling Stone Magazine during her one week work experience in Sydney. SHE may not be the next Jann Wenner or Hunter S Thompson … yet. But Lismore student Jye Hudson-Sheaffe is already on the way to a stellar career in journalism. The 15-year-old Trinity Catholic College student has had her first album review published in no less a magazine than Rolling Stone. “English has been my favourite subject since kindergarten,” says Ms Hudson-Sheaffe, who is in Year 10. “And I love all types of music – everything except commercial pop music and country. Right now my favourites are The Ramones and Arctic Monkey.” [...]

IT’S official. Splendour in the Grass will return to Woodfordia in Queensland this year. Because the application for a permanent site at North Byron Parklands is still being consid-ered, it won’t be held at the Yelgun site this year. North Byron Parklands general manager Mat Morris said: “The NSW Department of Planning are still processing the North Byron Parklands application for a sustainable cultural arts and music event venue. It is hoped that they will make a decision shortly.” The three-day music event kicks off on July 29 and finishes on July 31 in its second year at the Queensland site. Despite damage to the Woodford site during the Queensland floods, Splendour organisers are “confident” it will be restored in [...]

Bangalow Chamber of Commerce vice-president Carol Mitchell and president Michael Malloy in the main street of Bangalow ahead of the rescheduled Christmas Eve celebrations in March. BETTER late than never. After rain washed out their annual Christmas Eve celebrations last year, Bangalow’s Chamber of Commerce has decided to replace the event with Christmas in March. Santa Claus won’t be making an appearance – that could bewilder the children – but the celebrations will be just as festive as those usually held on December 24. The popular annual Christmas Eve carnival has been running for 40 years and has rarely been cancelled, so the wet weather at Christmas was disappointing for both residents and organisers. It also cost the chamber $2000 [...]

The Necks Friday Feb 18 The Byron Bay Community Centre – 69 Jonson St $25 / $28 on the door Bookings; 02) 6685 6807 The Necks are one of the great cult bands of Australia who count Brian Eno and Nick Cave among their legions of fans. Chris Abrahams (piano), Tony Buck (drums), and Lloyd Swanton (bass) conjure a chemistry together that defies description in orthodox terms. Their completely improvised concerts develop over hour long sets and have the room ringing with sound and the audience mesmerised. Not entirely avant-garde, nor minimalist, nor ambient, nor jazz, the music of The Necks is unique in the world today. “Ever since the beginning, The Necks have had a concept that we walk [...]

Bob Dylan. BYRON Bay Bluesfest organisers have revealed the line-up for the sixth day of the 22nd annual festival. The highly anticipated extra day was added to the event, previously running over five days, to accommodate a second show by international headliner Bob Dylan. Joining Dylan is an all-star list of singer songwriters including Elvis Costello, Paul Kelly, Tim Finn and Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. Playing alongside the big names are Native American singer Buffy Sainte-Marie in her first Australian show, Tony Joe White, Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reed and The Mad Bastards, featuring Stephen Pigram, Alan Pigram and Alex Lloyd. The extra day of the festival, held at the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm north of Byron Bay, was approved by an special [...]

THREE-time Grammy Award winning superstar Rihanna is coming to the Gold Coast next month for an intimate, exclusive concert at Jupiters Hotel and Casino. With just 5000 tickets going on sale Monday for the February 26 show, they are expected to sell out quickly. Fans can expect an up close and personal experience, compared with the Brisbane Entertainment Centre concert a night earlier, where more than 11,000 will pack the venue. Rihanna will bring her full production to the Coast, featuring her trademark theatre, set changes, band, acrobats, dancers and eye-catching outfits. Her latest album Loud, released late last year, has extended her string of big hits. What’s My Name helped the star match Elvis Presley’s record on the UK [...]

Bluesfest is very proud to unveil Grace Jones as a major new artist announcement who performs on the main stage on Friday night April 22, 2011 A Grace Jones performance is not just a concert; it’s a MUST-SEE unique happening you’d be crazy to miss! A special event that’s part musical tour de force, part runway fashion show, and part theatrical drama full of outrageous extravagance. In fact, her appearance at the 2009 Sydney Festival is still being talked about! Festival director Peter Noble said, “We usually unveil a group of artists, but Ms Jones warrants her very own announcement. If pop is the preserve of the young, well… nobody told Grace Jones – maybe they were too scared?” “A [...]

There are less than 600 tickets left and are expected to sell out so get in quick!!! Tickets can be purchased online plus a few selected outlets around Australia thru Moshtix. There will beno walk up tickets available on the day. For outlets list please go to: http://www.reggaefest.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62 For tickets purchase on-line please go to: http://www.moshtix.com.au/event.aspx?id=38175 The full line up will be released on Wednesday September 8, so be sure to check the website or facebook page. In the mean time check this little youtube advertisement for the festival… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRmmFzbQI0M Byron Bay Reggaefest. www.reggaefest.com.au

This year Reggae music will have been circulating all over the world for 50 years. By the beginning of summer it will have set up a new home at The Brewery, for Byron Bay’s first Annual Reggae Festival. ‘Reggaefest’ is inspired by Byron Bay’s ever growing appreciation for evolutionary and authentic forms of the genre. Conscious reggae and dancehall artists from all over the world and within Australia will come together on December 4. The line up will feature Midnite (St Croix), Turbulance (Jamaica), Sud Soundsystem (Italy), Deadly Hunta (UK) and emerging Australian acts such as Kingfisha, Darky Roots, Paua and more. 12 hours straight of pure vibes will be spread over 3 stages while the Reggae Lounge Cinema will [...]

Katie Underwood is set to enchant audiences and transport them to the glamour of a 1920s late night Jazz club with her Beautiful Jazz Tour in August. Katie and her band will be playing shows in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney where Katie proves she has talent and grace undeniably suited to the elegant and seductive jazz world. Katie’s debut album ‘Ain’t Nobody’s Baby’ highlights her sultry vocals which exquisitely deliver a selection of jazz standards and original songs penned by Katie herself, plus an exclusive jazz-infused recording of her classic dance hit ‘Beautiful’. This album utilises Katie’s versatility as a singer and also a songwriter creating music that no doubt inspires as well as excites. CHECK OUT KATIE’S BRAND NEW [...]

This Monday night, the 12th of July we are proud to present for one peformance only, The New Jamie Oehlers Quartet. Jamie is a Highly awarded and internationally acclaimed Tenor saxophonist touring Australia with his brand new group featuring some of Australia’s finest young musicians . The group will be performing at the Buddha Bar, Skinners Shoot Rd, Byron Bay at 7.00pm . The cost is $15.00 or $10.00 concession. Below is some more info on Jamie The New Jamie Oehlers Quartet – Australian Tour Having been living back in Perth now for two and half years, Jamie Oehlers returns with his new quartet made up of Perth’s finest young musicians. The past two years have been busy for Jamie. [...]

ARE modern-day pirates heroes or villains? When it comes to Stalkbook and MyFace, does anyone really give a tweet about privacy? Which songs do Paul Kelly and Clare Bowditch wish they’d written themselves? And what would each of them say if they were to pen an open letter to that song? Do you care enough about live music in your home town to take to the streets like 20,000 Victorian protesters did recently? Were yesterday’s punks and hippies cooler than today’s goths, emos and ravers? Got any questions you’d like to put personally to Splendour’s promoters? These are some of the thought-provoking questions and hot issues that will be explored, pondered and debated by an eclectic array of outspoken and [...]

Bay FM Backroom BOOM dance party featuring Bay FM djs, plus VJs and local perfomance artists. Saturday 29th may at the Backroom. 9pm-3am Decor by B-A-S-E Visuals by Horned Melon DJ:s Dan Jupiter Fabwah Inchie Si Clone Slinky Spyda Teesha HAPPY HOUR drink specials: 9-10pm $2.50 Beers(Middys) and $3 House Wine and Sparkling. Entry: $15/$12(Bay Fm Subscribers)

LISMORE’S inaugural Sonic Festival is ready to take off this weekend with more than 40 DJs and bands strutting their stuff on three stages. After 18 months’ planning,co-organiser Malcolm Fine is happy to see everything coming to fruition and was confident yesterday that the planets were aligning for an awesome weekend of music, arts and culture. “All is ready,” he said. “The bands are coming, the DJs are coming, and the artists are coming. “We have an extraordinary line-up of DJs and bands, and there also has been a huge response from Northern Rivers professionals wanting to contribute.” While the weekend forecast is for mostly fine weather, fears of rain have not perturbed organisers as much of the festival is [...]

Metalcore: Parkway Drive drummer Ben Gordon (left), guitarist Luke Kilpatrick, vocalist Winston McCall, bass guitarist Jia O’Connor and guitarist Jeff Ling are releasing their third album. TWO examples of the region’s musical expertise have left home territory to seek international praise and inspiration for up-and-coming projects. Local hardcore band Parkway Drive has risen from a garage in Byron Bay on to the international rock scene, while Lismore-born-and-bred composer Colin Black is continuing to ride his wave of success all the way to Europe. Mr Black, who is a Southern Cross University contemporary music graduate, recently completed working on his new sound composition, Kilian’s Antipodean Dream, which will be premiered in two parts on a German national radio broadcaster on May [...]

THE BYRON BAY BREWERY BLACK TIE BALL in support of local artists will now be held on Saturday the 10th of July 2010 !!! This inaugural event offers our colourful community the opportunity to dress up and get down to raise funds for our local artists and entertainers and we invite our funky friends from all over the world to join us !!! Each corner of THE BYRON BAY BREWERY will offer local Amazing Artists the opportunity to paint and perform live on the night with silent auctions offering works of art for sale there and then !!! STEVE SAX’S Byron Big Band SOUL’D will headline the event in the ballroom with a 10 piece musical masterpiece and special guests [...]

NIMBIN is a hive of industry as the village gears up for its premier annual event – the 18th MardiGrass, which is set to kick off this weekend. Hemp Embassy president Michael Balderstone said the cannabis law reform rally was as relevant as ever due to more than a decade of government prohibition and criminalisation policies. “Eighteen years ago, outraged Nimbin residents led by the legendry Bob Hopkins organised a May Day rally in response to heavy-handed helicopter raids and excessive force on peaceful hippies,” he said. “It attracted 700 people that year and we vowed to do it every year until the laws were changed and we were no longer deemed criminals. “Recent law changes in the United States [...]