The 30th anniversary of Bluesfest would not be complete without Australia’s most soulful singer songwriter Archie Roach. This afternoon’s Mojo highlight was Archie sharing stories of his life and his ancestor’s lives interwoven between powerfully emotive songs full of well earned wisdom. His beautiful lyrics punctuated by distinctive vocal tones, depth and vibrato that can move even the most stoic man to tears. Time seems to slow down in his presence, plenty of space for contemplation as Archie brings into focus issues such as the fight to protect a Djap Wurrung sacred birthing tree in Victoria currently threatened by highway expansion. His song ‘A child was born here’ perfectly illustrating the importance of birthing trees to Aboriginal people across the country. Such a gift to spend time listening to this great man who demonstrates so well that the greatest strength can be found in gentleness. Continue reading Live Review : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2019 – Day 4→
Saturday got of to a great start with Rockwiz in the Jambalaya where hopeful players were spilling out the sides of the venue. After the quiz contestants were chosen the show got underway with an endless stream of guests including Ian Moss and Sarah McLeod arriving to play a song and join in with the teams. First guest for the day was Casey Donovan performing a cover of Queen’s ‘Don’t stop me now’ that Freddy Mercury would have been extremely proud of. Julia Zemiro hosted a witty and fun afternoon, artfully mixing music and politics making sure everyone was entertained and laughing. Turn up early for your chance to be a contestant when Rockwiz returns Sunday 1pm at Jambalaya. Continue reading Live Review : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2019 – Day 3→
Review By Wanda Hill
Photos by Stuart Blythe
Wondering around the Bluesfest site during the early afternoon on day 2, I could hear a beautiful familiar voice rising over the cacophony of sounds emanating from multiple tents. Following the voice lead me to the Crossroads stage to find Djakapurra from Bangarra singing with East Journey, an amazing band from North East Arnhem Land carrying on the tradition of Yothu Yindi. They performed new original songs that are bound to end up in the charts as well as performing Yothu Yindi favourites such as Treaty. Lead singer Rrawun Maymuru’s versatility was showcased with vocal styles ranging form traditional ceremonial song poetry, to ballads and full on rock. His song writing is appreciated world wide through songs he has written for Gurrumul. The band and dancers were truly exceptional and will be appearing at the Boomerang Dance Grounds over the next 3 evenings. Continue reading Live Review + Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2016 – Day Two→
Following yesterday’s massive announcement of the first group of talented artists and cultural leaders in the Boomerang program that will feature at Bluesfest next year, today, the 27th Bluesfest Byron Bay, held over Easter (Thu 24 March – Mon 28 March 2016), at its exclusive event site (the lush 300 acre Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm just outside of Byron Bay), releases yet another star studded artist announcement. Continue reading Bluesfest Byron Bay 2016 adds a further 10 artists to the bill!→
Woodford Folk Festivals 25th Anniversary programme is the most resplendent programme ever presented, promising an epic journey into the kaleidoscope of Australian culture. 3000 performers and artists, thinkers and cultural activists, environmentalists and comedians, and two former Prime Ministers will descend upon the forested valley of Woodfordia between the 27th December and the 1st of January to celebrate our existence in true Australian style.
With an expected aggregate attendance of 120,000 patrons, Woodford has evolved into one of Australia’s largest and most iconic festivals. Despite its large size, the festival has retained its grassroots, non-commercial feel. It is popular with all ages, and the ‘brilliant’ festival atmosphere is the most highly rated aspect of the event in visitor surveys. In addition to the 620 acts performing across 22 venues (all indoor except for the large amphitheatre), the festival streets are alive with roving street theatre, parades, art and spontaneous performances day and night.
At the heart of the Woodford Folk Festival is the 500-acre festival site, Woodfordia, a regenerated cattle property that has become the living, growing expression of thousands of people who have contributed to the cumulative vision of a cultural parkland and subtropical arboretum dedicated to the arts.
The musical line-up this year captures the very essence of this ‘folk in spirit’ festival, just a few of the highlights include The Cat Empire, Kate Miller-Heidke, Katie Noonan and The Captains, Blue King Brown, Tim Freedman, Archie Roach, Mama Kin, Jeff Lang, Lior, Microwave Jenny, Dubmarine, Felix and The Phoenix, Hermitude, Marshall and The Fro, Cumbia Cosmonauts, The Barons of Tang, Basement Birds, The Break, TinPan Orange, Vika and Linda Bull, Christa Hughes and The Honkytonk Shonks, Flap!, Tijuana Cartel, Drawn from Bees, The Chemist, Leah Flanagan, kooii, Laneous and The Family Yah, Radical Son, Jackie Marshall, That 1 Guy, The Little Stevies, Shane Howard and his Band, Yeshe and You Am I.
Woodford’s international guests include Arrested Development (USA), The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker (USA), the incredible Katzenjammer (Norway), Baskery (Sweden), BBC World Music Award winners Daara J Family (Senegal), and from Canada, the crazy Tom Fun Orchestra, Jill Barber, Dan Mangan and Matthew Barber. From the UK comes Passenger, from the USA Love in the Circus, Stevie Salas and Bernard Fowler, and The Whitetop Mountaineers, and from the 70’s Mani Neumeier with Etsuko Watanabe.
The GreenHouse venue talks the walk of the environmental ethos that underpins the Woodford Folk Festival. Have your green Myths busted, meet green Innovators and make an educated choice about the next ten years of climate change. The Great Green Debate at the Concert stage examines The Spirit of Resistance (still) Lives! To fan The Flames of Discontent, Professor Ian Lowe will join Jack Mundey along with green activists, unionists and historians for a forum on the Green Bans of the 70’s.
Folklorica presents an incredibly rich tapestry of the sacred, traditional and ceremonial drawing on the diversity within our Australian culture. With Genghis Khan’s Songlines take a journey along the Silk Road, join a Gypsy Wedding, and revere the powerful voice of Jamyang Dolma from Tibet. ABC Radio National’s presenter Geoff Wood has programmed The Rhythm Divine, a selection of sacred music artists based in Australia.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is Disturbia 2, go forward to 2525 humans have evolved into a new species of Pumans, part pig part human …
Make sure to visit the new Pineapple Lounge, piano bar and cocktail lounge, where Shampine flows in the magical garden, Wiley Reed tinkles the keys by night and Bogan Bingo is a daily ritual.
The Children’s Festival is also larger than ever before. Children can build a Permaculture garden, create, cook, dance and be enchanted by theatre, puppetry and song. New Years Eve sees them adorned with their own creations, in a swathe of bubbles and music in the Children’s Festival Procession through the festival streets.
Professor Timothy Sharp, happiness expert, can teach you how to sleep your way to the top, and The Bedroom Philosopher will have you in stitches. Learn Shamanic Drumming and get irie after dark in the Dancehall. Wander through the visual arts workshops in Penny Arcade to the Arti.Arti venue, where writers, artists and performers will cast your assumptions and fixed ideas aside to make way for new ideas. All the while there will be Gremlins building a Rocket Ship out of whatever they can nab, so hold onto your hat.
Whatever you do, don’t miss Woodford Folk Festival this year; it really will be a momentous journey. We invite you to join the pilgrimage, come and be a part of our 25th anniversary celebration.
Programmes and tickets are available on the Woodford Folk Festival website www.woodfordfolkfestival.com or call the Queensland Folk Federation on 07 5496 1066. Selected newsagents have the programmes, check online for these outlets.
The girl can’t help it. She’s surprised and excited and confused. She’s asking questions, making plans and speaking out. Clare Bowditch is just being Clare Bowditch.
Elize Strydom catches the fire.
“I really love the idea of his stories living on. It’s great to be able to do a tribute with someone who is very much alive and there! You see what’s happening in the culture at the moment with Michael Jackson – I think that’s too late to celebrate someone. My theory is if you love someone, do your best to celebrate them while they’re alive and can enjoy it.”
Clare Bowditch is talking about legendary Indigenous singer/songwriter/storyteller Kev Carmody. And she wants you to know about it. On August 1st Bowditch will take to the stage with a swag of other artists including Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, John Butler, Bernard Fanning and the Drones for Cannot Buy My Soul – a tribute to Carmody and the culmination of the Queensland Music Festival.
Kev Carmody, Paul Kelly, Bernard Fanning, John Butler, Missy Higgins, Clare Bowditch, Tex Perkins, The Herd, The Drones and many, many more join forces in a special twilight concert at Brisbane Riverstage to celebrate a unique Australian talent.
Powerful, versatile and utterly original, for the past 24 years legendary singer songwriter Kev Carmody has evoked the realities of contemporary Aboriginal society with a clarity and grace that has won him fans across Australia and around the world.
This signature Queensland Music Festival event sees Carmody’s repertoire – from blunt protest songs to poetic ballads – reinterpreted by a thrilling line-up of Australia’s most acclaimed singer songwriters and musicians who contributed to the 2007 album Cannot Buy My Soul, produced by long-time friend and collaborator Paul Kelly.
The girl can’t help it. She’s surprised and excited and confused. She’s asking questions, making plans and speaking out. Clare Bowditch is just being Clare Bowditch.
Kev Carmody, Paul Kelly, Bernard Fanning, John Butler, Missy Higgins, Clare Bowditch, Tex Perkins, The Herd, The Drones and many, many more join forces in a special twilight concert at Brisbane Riverstage to celebrate a unique Australian talent.