Tag Archives: byron bay

Bluesfest 2010 Mega First Artist Announcement

   CROWDED HOUSE, BUDDY GUY, ROGER HODGSON FROM SUPERTRAMP, THE GIPSY KINGS, ORQUESTA BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, JEFF BECK, LYLE LOVETT, ROCKWIZ, JIMMY BARNES PLAYS THE RHYTHM AND THE BLUES, JESSICA MAUBOY, THE SWELL SEASON, NEWTON FAULKNER, DR JOHN AND THE LOWER 911, BELA FLECK’S AFRICAN PROJECT FEATURING OUMOU SANGARE AND BAND, BLUE KING BROWN, AL DI MEOLA
WORLD SINFONIA, GOGOL BORDELLO, FAT FREDDY’s DROP, JOE BONAMASSA, PETER GREEN & FRIENDS, THE FLATLANDERS, AVETT BROTHERS, JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE, RENEE GEYER, COLIN HAY BAND, OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW, LIL BAND O’ GOLD, BRIAN AUGER’S OBLIVION EXPRESS, ROBERT GORDON & THE GANG THEY COULDN’T HANG – FEATURING CHRIS SPEDDING (Roxy Music), GLEN MATLOCK (Sex Pistols), SLIM JIM PHANTOM (Stray Cats)

Bluesfest 2010 takes place over Easter from Thursday April 1 through to Monday April 5, 2010
Visit http://www.bluesfest.com.au for full details!

Concert, event, Festival, Music

Interview: Josh Pyke speaks with Elize Strydom about Splendour, touring and studio/producer aspirations [SITG]

Interview by: Elize Strydom
Josh PykeHe’s spent the last two months traipsing from the top of the country to the bottom but Josh Pyke is hungry for more. Charmingly unaware of the affect his music has had on her and hoards of others, Mr Pyke tells Elize Strydom about what’s coming up.

When the Aussie troubadour rides into Byron Bay for Splendour In The Grass next month he’ll be on familiar turf. Pyke may struggle to resist the urge to buy a carton of Tooheys New and head down to the beach front to skull ten beers. You see, he’s quite familiar with the place, our Josh. He celebrated the completion of 13 years of schooling here with a bunch of mates. Each year the guys regroup, rent a house and relive old times. Expect a laid-back, sun-drenched Pyke in holiday mode come July 25th, but don’t show up for his set if all you wanna do is chill.

“I’ve played Splendour twice before and it has a whole different vibe. I can play more upbeat songs which work for a big audience, that’s really fun. There’s less pressure. I get to rock up, have an hour to play my set and the crowd’s already there. It’s also cool to see all the other bands and catch up with friends. “
Continue reading Interview: Josh Pyke speaks with Elize Strydom about Splendour, touring and studio/producer aspirations [SITG] →

Artist, Concert, Festival, Interview, Music

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2009 – Event & Camping Tickets Sold Out

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2009
Event & Camping Tickets Sold Out

sitg_09_sold_out_pr
Organisers would like to advise that at 10.15am today, Splendour In The Grass weekend and camping tickets to the 2009 event, taking place Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July at Belongil Fields in Byron Bay, have completely sold out.

“’We are yet again in awe of the interest in Splendour, thanks to everyone for your support and embracing our ticketing process with its anti scalping features and carbon offsetting option.” said Event Producers – Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco
Continue reading SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2009 – Event & Camping Tickets Sold Out →

Concert, Festival, Music

Elize Strydom gets stuck in the mud at the 20th Annual East Coast Blues and Roots Festival

Bluesfest – 20th Annual East Coast Blues and Roots Festival
Friday 10th April
Review: Elize Strydom

Personality test: What sort of footwear would you choose to wear to Bluesfest?

a. Thongs from Woolies
b. Gumboots from Bunnings
c. Your brand new Dunlop Volleys
d. Au Natural (bare feet)

If you answered a. you’re an optimistic idealist. If you picked c. get set for disappointment. If you deliberated between b. and d. then read on…

The 20th Annual East Coast Blues and Roots Festival was always going to be muddy. In the two weeks leading up to the festival the Northern Rivers had copped near-torrential rain, flash flooding and damaging winds. I spoke to Festival Director Peter Noble a day before the gates were due to open and he was optimistic. One day of hot sun beating down on the Belongil Fields meant they had “dodged a bullet” and things were looking up. Yesterday the Rain Gods withheld their mercy but they’re well and truly smiling again today. Steam is literally rising off the sodden grass as punters – young and old – stream past sniffer dogs, security checks and wrist band fasteners. Tracks between the festival’s six stages, market stalls, food tents and port-a-loos have been beaten and new tracks are appearing as people try to avoid the shin deep mud pit at the centre of the original track. So many are falling at the first hurdle as their thongs flick splats of mud up their legs and backs. Others are literally stuck in the mud as their feet plunge into the thick brown slosh and fail to emerge. Now is not the time to suffer from unpreparedness – there’s music to see, oh so much music. More than 500 artists and 220 performances, to be exact. I’ve gotta start somewhere, why not with Watermelon Slim and the Workers?
Continue reading Elize Strydom gets stuck in the mud at the 20th Annual East Coast Blues and Roots Festival →

Concert, event, Festival, Music, Review

“No Shoes, at Blues…” – By Tara Kai Hammond

Bluesfest – 20th Annual East Coast Blues and Roots Festival
Friday 12th April
Review: Tara Kai Hammond

After a short twenty minute stroll from the car park, a quick ‘frisking’ from security at the gate, and I’m officially allowed into the festival. The first thing I noticed after being ‘frisked’; apart from swampy mud and thousands of different patterned gumboots; was hundreds of joyful, beaming-sunny-smiles, and a happy and radiant vibe which was ‘infectious’.

*Musical highlights*:-
That One Guy played his part percussions-part bass-boom box-making-vacuum or “magic Pipe” as he refers to it) to a small but highly amused, pumped-up and appreciative crowd. With funky high energy tunes one minute, (that make ya want to shake ya bits); to laid back cruisy tunes the next, (the kind that make ya smile and give ya that fuzzy feelin’); That One Guy is without a doubt the most extraordinary and entertaining one man band that I’ve ever witnessed; (and I’ve seen quite a few, including a guy with bopping parrot on his shoulder…)
Continue reading “No Shoes, at Blues…” – By Tara Kai Hammond →

Concert, event, Festival, Music, Review

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2009 : Dates & Venue Confirmed


SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2009 Dates & Venue Confirmed for Splendour’s 9th Year
 
 
Hola music fans! It’s time for your yearly rock n’ roll reminder so open your diaries and circle these dates. 		   Splendour In The Grass

We’re delighted to announce that this year’s instalment of Australia’s much-loved SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS event will take place on SATURDAY JULY 25TH and SUNDAY JULY 26TH in
BYRON BAY.
Continue reading SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2009 : Dates & Venue Confirmed →

Concert, event, Festival, Music

The Byron Bay festival’s 20th Birthday Anniversary is hotting up!

bluesfest09sml The next round of artists to perform at the 20th Anniversary Bluesfest has today been announced. Read on to see why it’s going to be a joyous musical celebration to remember when Easter hits Belongil Fields in Byron Bay between April 9 and 13, 2009.

Continue reading The Byron Bay festival’s 20th Birthday Anniversary is hotting up! →

Concert, event, Festival, Music

Byron Bay Arts & Music Festival, Belongil Fields, 7-8 Jan 2009

Now “Sunset Sounds” in Brisbane on the 7th and 8th of January 2009… Click HERE for details.

***** The Byron Bay Arts and Music Festival Resurrection Delayed *****

It is with great disappointment that the Byron Bay Arts Crew announces The Byron Bay Arts and Music Festival will not happen this summer. 

The festival, which originally ran from ’94 to ’96 and was organised by a collective of local arts & music enthusiasts, was due to be resurrected next January but hit regulatory hurdles. Despite securing a fantastic line-up; overwhelming support amongst the Byron Bay

community; and positive early indications from the local council, the organiser’s self-imposed deadline for obtaining final approvals for the venue expired last week. Whilst it is common for major events in Byron Bay to proceed without final approvals until only weeks before the event, organisers were uncomfortable with the level of risk given the significance of the line-up and organisation going in to the event.

With tickets due to go on sale later this month, organiser’s felt that cancelling the event was intensely regrettable yet the most responsible decision. The Byron Arts Crew are hopeful of resurrecting the festival in the future as it provides an important showcase opportunity for local music and arts as well as much needed entertainment to a vastly expanded Byron Bay population over summer. Organiser’s also wish to extend a sincere thank you and apology to the many people who have been part of the event as well as those who eagerly anticipated its return.

Music lovers need not despair as it has been confirmed that the majority of the bands will be coming together at a new Brisbane show presented by The Falls Festival – Sunset Sounds – More details announced shortly!

———- Original Announcement Below ————-
In sweet anticipation of longer days and soulfully warm nights comes a mid-Summer feast for the senses as we announce a bounty of wondrous acts from the local, domestic and international stages alike, to share in all the glory of the return of the great Byron Bay Arts & Music Festival, 2009.

The Byron Bay Arts & Music Festival will be served on the 7 & 8 of January 09, at Belongil Fields.

FRANZ FERDINAND (UK) / THE HIVES (Sweden) / THE CAT EMPIRE / THE KOOKS (UK) / THE GRATES / GOMEZ (UK)
FAKER / TEGAN AND SARA (Canada) / DONAVON FRANKENREITER (USA) / SOKO (France) / JIMMY WILLING AND THE REAL GONE HICK-UPS / DUBSHACK / GHOST MOUNTAIN / TIJUANA CARTEL / SARA TINDLEY

Concert, event, Festival, Jazz, Music, Rock

Splendour In The Grass – Final Acts Announced

Clare Bowditch

It is with great pleasure we announce the second and final round of acts playing the sold out Splendour in the Grass taking place in Byron Bay on August 2nd and 3rd.

The Polyphonic Spree, New Young Pony Club, Yves Klein Blue, Lyrics Born, Tokyo Police Club, Albert Hammond Jr, Little Red, Clare Bowditch (pictured above), Bluejuice, Robert Forster, The Drones, Hadouken!, Bliss N Eso, Paul Dempsey, Katalyst, Even, British India, The Galvatrons, Delta Spirit, Slot Machine, The Black Stars, Van She Tech, Bag Raiders, Soft Tigers Food Fight, E.L.F Dj, Kato And Pob

join the already cracking line-up of:

Devo, The Music, Wolfmother, Sigur Ros, The Living End, The Presets
Tricky, Vampire Weekend, Ben Lee, Cold War Kids, The Fratellis
The Wombats, Pnau, Laura Marling, The Vines, The Grates, Operator Please,
Band of Horses, Van She, The Panics, Gyroscope, MSTRKRFT, Lightspeed Champion,
The Brown Birds from Windy Hill, Scribe, The Gin Club

See our original article – Click here.

Concert, Festival, Music

The East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival Byron Bay – BluesFest

John Butler

The East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival Byron Bay (or BluesFest) is held at the Belongil Fields, Ewingsdale Road in Byron Bay over the Easter long weekend (20th March – 24 March 2008).  A line up of international and national blues, folk, hip hop, reggae, roots, soul, rock, and world musicians have been put together to perform and includes the amazing Sinead O’Connor, KT Tunstall, Patty Griffin, Clare Bowditch, Xavier Rudd, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Keith Urban, John Butler Trio, Lior and many, many more!

Jeff Martin Keith Urban  Wilco  Sinead O'Connor  Xavier Rudd  Buddy Guy
More Photos Here…

The Byron Bay Blues festival is truly an event and shouldn’t be missed! The new venue is roomy and the event is massive!! Along with the fantastic musical lineup, roaming entertainment and food stalls that sell really good food, I have too tip my hat too the organisers… the complete setup is run with precision.  Transport, security, service, sanity, schedule, direction… everything was organised, ensuring that the average punter had an memorable experience! 

The opening night saw Jeff Martin, Xavier Rudd, Keith Urban and John Butler whipping the crowd into musical bliss.  Wilco rocked! and Buddy Guy delivered a mind-blowing gritty set of blues…

 Link: Official Bluesfest Website
Related: http://www.byron-bay.com/
Photos: lifemusicmedia flickr photoset

Concert, Festival, Music