Blues and brews: live music lives on at Easter with packed pubs and surprise sets

THE Byron Bay region came alive with live music over the Easter long weekend, delivering a few surprises along the way – from Jimmy Barnes joining The Living End on stage to a spontaneous street party outside The Wailers’ Brunswick Heads gig.

Although the long-running Bluesfest – which typically draws tens of thousands of music lovers to the region each year – was cancelled just weeks before the event, many of its scheduled artists were rebooked at venues across the Byron Shire, performing alongside a strong lineup of local acts.

Bob Marley’s former band The Wailers brought classic reggae anthems such as One Love and Is This Love to a sold-out crowd in the beer garden at Hotel Brunswick. Outside, hundreds more gathered in the street, with people dancing atop cars and buildings in the park opposite the pub.

The Northern hosted a full weekend of blues, featuring performers including Minnie Marks and multi-instrumentalist Roshani, who also appeared at The Beach Hotel in Byron Bay and at the Blues by the Ocean event at Ocean Shores Country Club.

British powerhouse Z-Star wowed audiences at Mullumbimby Top Pub on Good Friday, while ARIA Award-winning, Lismore-based band Hussy Hicks took to the stage at the Eltham Hotel, where guitarist Julz Parker’s father, Greg, joined the band on harmonica.

“Let’s make sure that for the rest of eternity the Northern Rivers is always about live music at Easter,” she told the audience.

Taj Farrant also drew a crowd for a free show at the Byron Bay Bowlo, while The Backsliders delivered a moving tribute to the late Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst at Byron Theatre and Billinudgel Hotel hosted a two-day Billi Busk Fest, showcasing performers such as Jerome Williams, Dan Hannaford and the Versace Boys.

Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce vice-president J’aimee Skippon-Volke said that while the Byron Bay CBD had typically been quieter over Easter since Bluesfest relocated to the Byron Events Farm at Tyagarah in 2010, local businesses reported a noticeable return of foot traffic this year.

“It wasn’t quite as busy as summer, but it was still very busy,” she said. “I also really feel that what we’re seeing is something that’s equally for locals and tourists.”

Skippon-Volke said the boost was supported in part by free buses provided by Byron Shire Council with backing from the NSW Government.

“With the cost of petrol rising it’s going to be important to establish public transport as being a viable option for people in this area,” Skippon-Volke said.

Destination Byron president Jeanie Wylie said despite cost-of-living pressures and rising fuel prices, early indications suggest a solid Easter trading period with a mix of locals and visitors supporting the Byron region.

“It was wonderful to have such an energetic buzz in the atmosphere,” she said.

Byron Shire mayor Sarah Ndiaye said she was proud of how the community had come together and worked hard to make sure the Easter long weekend was as exciting and vibrant as ever.

“We had incredible acts playing right across the Shire,” she said. “All the venues were heaving with people and people seemed to like the diversity of things on offer. There were a lot of free events and the paid ones were sold out. It’s wonderful to have heard about different wow moments, like Jimmy Barnes coming out during Living End and the incredible gig at The Wailers. There was a really great vibe around town.”

Cr Ndiaye said she was keen to work with the Chamber of Commerce and tourism organisation Destination Byron on future planning.

“We know what an important economic driver Bluesfest has been for this region for decades and been a stepping stone for musicians and other entertainment professionals and we want to keep that culture alive and well,” she said.

“I’m optimistic that we can keep Byron Bay, amazing live music and Easter synonymous with one another. I think it will continue but we just have to work out in what way and keep it community-based and sustainable.”