Ten years ago the first Mullum Music Festival pioneered a very different type of music event. No gates. No VIP areas. Basically a ‘No Hassle’ festival. A festival where artists and performers mingled, where shows are held in halls, clubs and pubs rather than tents, and instead of driving hours to park in a field and trudge on site, patrons became enmeshed in the spirit of a vibrant village. It worked.
“It’s not just about one act, but rather all the performers“, says Festival Director Glenn Wright. Mullum Music Festival is about the experience. Everyone knows that. It’s all about the people. All of the people. Everyday People!
Ten years on and Mullum tips its hat in thanks and includes many of the artists who were on the first bill. It’s a Mullum Homecoming with Festival patron Suzannah Espie and previous patrons Mama Kin and Harry James Angus all returning to perform along with Tinpan Orange, Jojo Smith, Liz Stringer, Hussy Hicks, OKA and a swag of acts everyone has grown to love.
Over the decade since its inception Mullum has earned a reputation for booking new acts. Many of these acts have gone on to play bigger stages all over the world. Like NZ artist Marlon Williams who has been selling out shows throughout the US, UK & Europe and returns for this year’s program with his beloved Yarra Benders.
Then there are performers who are not new to international stages like Jon Cleary bringing his Absolute Gentlemen, a four-piece riot of gospel harmonies and foundation rocking grooves.
Perhaps nothing typifies the unconventional joy of the program more than All Our Exes Live in Texas. A festival favourite, these four songwriters with four unique voices return to deliver their four-part indie slice of folk heaven.
Canadian singer-songwriter Frazey Ford brings her smooth, opulent and electric voice to the 10th Mullum Music Festival, Mama Kin Spender feeds the soul when she delivers heart stopping ballads and percussive beats, this time around in collaboration with Melbourne musician Spender. From tender to brooding, they skip from dark to light, presenting a bewitching collision of alchemy, harmony and percussive wizardry.
Tinpan Orange is one of Australia’s most revered lo-fi folk trios. Led by the unmistakable voice of Emily Lubitz alongside her brother, guitarist Jesse Lubitz, and multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire Alex Burkoy.
Canada’s unique Lindi Ortega will beguile with her Nashville-esque sound and some serious guitar playing chops. For those who come to the Mullum Music Festival in search of the next breaking act, one could be well advised to check out The Teskey Brothers who knocked the wooly socks off everyone at the recent Bello Winter Festival.
So what’s so damn good about this modest little event in Mullumbimby? Well it’s fatigue free. It’s unpretentious, it’s affordable, it’s appealing to all ages and it’s about good music. Very, very good music.
Mullum Music Festival
16-19 November, 2017
Throughout the town of Mullumbimby (15 mins north of Byron Bay), NSW
General Release Tickets on Sale Now at mullummusicfestival.com
The 10th Annual Mullum Music Festival Line Up
Jon Cleary & The Monster Gentlemen (USA)
Marlon Williams (NZ), Frazey Ford (CAN), Lindi Ortega (CAN)
Harry James Angus, Too Many Zooz (US), Jazz Party
Z-Star Delta (UK), Tinpan Orange, Gabriel Garzon-Montano (USA)
OKA, The Teskey Brothers, Mama Kin Spender, Suzannah Espie
All Our Exes Live in Texas, Wallis Bird (IRE)
Small Halls feat. Vance Gilbert (US) and Liz Stringer
Ron Artis II (USA), Áine Tyrell (IRE), Sex On Toast
The East Pointers (CAN), Irish Mythen (IRE/CAN), King Tide
Ladyslug, Brian Nankervis, Mandy Nolan, Joel Salom, Dustyesky
Gabriel Otu Orchestra (GH), Moussa Diakite and Wassado (Mali/AU)
Ollie McGill Trio, Greg Sheehan, Loren Kate, The Coconut Kids
Jojo Smith, Hussy Hicks, Lucie Thorne & Hamish Stuart
Scott Cook (CAN) Sara Tindley, Sal Kimber & the Rollin Wheel
Charles Maimarosia (Sol Is) His Merry Men, The Twoks
Angie Hudson, Rebecca Ireland, Ethno Folk Orchestra,
Cecilia Brandolini, Domini Forster, Heartworn Highway
Jimmy Dowling, Levingstone, Low Down Riders, Mandy Hawkes
Megan And The Vegans, Palm Wine Ambassadors, Queen Porter Stomp
Raku One O’Gaia, Sal Wonder, Shanteya and Jo The Lion and the Leaves
Tin Can String Band, Titan Sky, Ukulele Death Squad
Vesica Pisces, Welcome To Country, The Biggest Little Town Choir
Roundabout Theatre, Amazing Drumming Monkeys, Spaghetti Circus
Bollywood Sisters, The Magic Bus, Workshops
and much more