BELLINGEN
July 7 – 10, 2016 :
Returning for it’s 2nd year this festival is certainly a favorite with Saturday and Sunday sold out. I knew it wouldn’t disappoint when I realised the same amazing crew from Mullum Music Festival organised it. And WOW what a line up, well you could call it a musician’s reunion with so many musos inviting their friends up on stage.
Along with the festival favorites were many regular festival goers from far North NSW. From volunteers, security, punters and crew, it was like the people of the Northern Rivers of NSW had made the 3.5hr road trip south for a weekend of live music.
The festival kicks off on Thursday night at the Memorial Hall with limited tickets sold to the lucky ones. Friday see’s many venues like Cedar Bar, No 5, The Diggers, The Golf Club, St Andrews and Federal Hotel open it’s doors for a great weekend of live music.
Arriving in town late Friday afternoon I picked up my passes and had a quick scout around town. The vibe was great with live music being heard across town and street performers keeping the crowd entertained. I headed off to the Promised Land where I was calling home for the weekend. I was taken back by the peace and quiet of this piece of paradise and decided to have an early night to make way for a fun filled weekend.
Kicking off the Saturday with Miss Eileen and King Lear was a nice way to start the day. The brother and sister duo are also known as the Perch Creek Band from Melbourne. They had the Federal Hotel packed out with their rock, folk and strong harmonies.
As I squeezed my way out through the crowd, I headed down to catch Jaaleekaay at the Memorial Hall. A three-piece band from Australia and West Africa including local musician Steve Berry.
It was then onto Cedar Bar to check out Yirramal, a young man from North East Arnhem Land. It was a full house with the queue leading out to the street, with no hope of getting a sneak peak I kindly asked if I would be allowed in for one song. Thankfully this was allowed so I got to hear this beautiful man sing. As I closed my eyes it sounded like you were listening to Geoffery Gurrumul Yunupingu sing. It was later that I found out that Yirrmal is actually related to Gurrumul. This is an act not to miss but make sure you get there early.
Kooii were next on my list. I heard about this band through Xavier Rudd and The United Nations as Kooii’s front man Peter Hunt recently played with Xavier. Much to a surprise, good friend Uncle Tio was also playing bass. He looked as surprised as me when he spotted me in the crowd taking snaps. With their reggae tunes and chilled out beats they certainly had the crowd dancing and singing. With their song, ‘Down to the River’, it stuck in my head every time I drove over the bridge into Bello.
Tullara Connors also known for her sister duo Siskin River graced the stage at the Federal Hotel with her 3-piece band. This upcoming 22 year old certainly had the crowd intrigued as she packed out the venue.
Jo Jo Smith is another all time favorite, she was joined on stage by her good friend Grant Gerathy also know as John Butler’s drummer. With Grant’s cheeky smile and Jo Jo sense of humour, they had their crowd in stitches, whether it was about her airport toilet story or many of her other entertaining stories.
There was a bit of chatting going on at the back of the venue so it came to much delight when Jo Jo kindly asked them if they want to chat then please go outside. At first they paid no attention until the crowd cheered in her defense, you could then hear a pin drop. Jo Jo had the crowd singing along to her peace song before a young lady that she mentored in the morning joined her on stage. Joined by her brother on violin this young lady had a voice of an angel.
Also that night I got along to King Tide, Loren Kate and L- FRESH The Lion.
I finished the night off with some chilled out tunes from Bobby Alu who has been going leeps and bounds since I first heard of him four years ago. He has been touring the world with Xavier Rudd as his drummer and also recently moved to the Northern Rivers of NSW so we get to have the pleasure of his sweet island tunes at the local music venues in the area.
Sunday I strolled into town after lunch checking out street performers BlueSkillet Rovers and The Cassettes. There were even Lollie Pop ladies helping you cross the road if you didn’t mind dancing across or walking like a crab. If you didn’t feel like walking or just wanted to party in between performances then the Magic Bus was the way to go. The brightly coloured retro double decker bus was a favorite at the festival.
Mojo Juju had the men growling in the Memorial Hall, with her bad girl attitude that you just have to love and her voice so big it’s hard to believe it’s coming out of someone so small. Mojo Juju had been around the festival circuit for a few years now, mainly with a bigger band but now it’s just her and her brother on the drums.
I roamed around the streets for a few more hours checking out local shops and the great coffee before going to see Bobby Alu and Greg Sheehan. I thought I would only stay 20 minutes before making the four hour drive home. I stayed the whole set. The energy that they both created was electrifying, they had the crowd dancing and laughing. With Bobby on drums and Greg on…. whatever he had to bang on, I believe he had a few cake tins, pots and pans.
They finished their set 15 minutes early as they did not know “what else to make up”. The crowed cheered them on for more so they took to the stage making it up as they went. The performance left everyone energized and ready for my trip home.
I highly recommend BELLO Winter Music Festival and will certainly checkout the workshops and more music next time.
Photographer and Reviewer : Julie Lowe
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