After its sell-out debut last year, organisers are thrilled to announce the return of BELLO WINTER MUSIC festival from July 7 – 10. The beautiful town of Bellingen will come alive with musical magic for four days during the coldest month of the year. Clubs, cafes, churches and halls throughout the town will host over 100 performances, allowing punters to amble from gig to gig (or ride the free psychedelic Magic Bus) through the streets of Bellingen and enjoy the music in intimate, comfortable spaces. Taking place in the middle of the school holidays, Bello Winter Music is a family-friendly, affordable festival for all ages.
The Bello Winter Music 2016 program celebrates diversity with a lineup that boasts something for everyone. New York born Willie Watson is co-founder of highly regarded Americana outfit Old Crow Medicine Show, as well as band member of Dave Rawlings Machine. Willie is heading to Bello Winter along with Joshua Hedley, one of Nashville’s emerging stars, and sideman for Justin Townes Earle, Jonny Fritz and many more.
Also appearing are Jaaleekaay, the extraordinary musical collaboration of two of Gambia’s leading musicians – highly celebrated singer Yusupha Ngum and kora prodigy Amadou Suso – with respected Australian guitarist Steve Berry. Neo-soul diva Kylie Auldist, blues legend Jeff Lang, the incredible Mojo Juju, Tora, Sahara Beck, King Tide, Tijuana Cartel, All Our Exes Live in Texas, TEK TEK Ensemble, Desmond Cheese and Sweet Jean will join many more local and national guests.
Bello Winter Music is all about fun, discovery and transforming spaces into new and interesting venues. Jazz Party is inspired by a loose collective of jazz musicians known for their sporadic take-over of unlikely venues across Melbourne. Each night of the 2016 festival, the Bellingen Diggers Tavern will be transformed into a dark, cool, speakeasy vibe as a suite of Melbourne’s finest underground jazz musicians pump out a slippery mix of jump blues, boogie and rhythm – shouting, drinking and slow dancing with strangers will be strongly encouraged!
As well as the music, Bellingen will come alive with street theatre, markets, free events and walking tours. The festival will feature the Bellingen LeaF program, a sustainability focused program of workshops available at no extra cost to festival goers, and the hugely successful Youth Mentorship Program which gives young aspiring musicians the invaluable opportunity to receive mentorship from an established artists on the lineup and to perform at the festival.
ARTISTS ANNOUNCED
Willie Watson (USA), Jeff Lang, Kylie Auldist, Tijuana Cartel, Mojo Juju, L-FRESH The LION, Jaaleekaay (W Afr/Aus), Joshua Hedley (USA), Jazz Party, Bullhorn, Allensworth (US), Tora, Bobby Alu (solo), Sahara Beck, Yirrmal, TEK TEK Ensemble, King Tide, Majiwa (KEN), The Twoks, Miss Eileen & King Lear, All Our Exes Live in Texas, William Crighton, Inga Liljestrom, The Seven Ups, Desmond Cheese, New Venusians, Merryn Jeann, Loren Kate, Gyan, Jo Jo Smith, Raised By Eagles, Sweet Jean, Greg Sheehan, Brian Nankervis, Liam Power, Joel Salom, Mandy Nolan, Mae Wilde, Green Mohair Suits, Aine Terrell, The Grand Magoozi, The Mid North, Ilona Harker, Bunya, Brian Campeau, Claire Anne Taylor, Tullara Connors, Madeline Leman and The Desert Swells, Diamond Duck, Baby Blue, Levingstone, Noam Blat, Drama King, Then Joelene, STAV, The Brothers, The Spangled Drongos, Kaya Boom’s Love Songs, Fish on Fire, Tim Porter, Siobhan Corcoran, Honey & Knives, Horns on Helium, Bellingen Afrobeat Ensemble, The Cassettes, How Deep is Your Love?, Bollywood Sisters, The Amazing Drumming Monkeys, Roundabout Theatre, The BlueSkillet Rover Van, Tales & Songs
Bellingen LeaF (Learning Festival) : meditation, primitive fire making, renewable workshops, nature walks, yoga, eco footprint, sharing circle, eco art for kids, permaculture, beekeeping, bug search.
Music workshops, The Magic Bus & much more!