Garage grooves on Soul Street

GARAGE rock duo Wild Rocket is getting ready to rock Byron Bay as part of its Soul Street New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Fifteen-year-olds Zephyr Breeze and Kai Akiba will perform a mix of blues, rock and funk tunes on the beachfront at Dening Park from 7.30pm.

The Byron Bay High School students, who can often be seen busking outside The Northern Hotel, formed the group seven years ago, with Breeze on guitar and vocals and Akiba on drums.

They won this year’s state band competition Youthrock, which launched Silverchair’s career in 1994, and national contest Boom, Clash, Rockstar! soon after.

The pair also play in the Byron Taiko Japanese drumming band, which is also performing on New Year’s Eve, but this is their first time performing at Soul Street.

“We’re really pumped,” Breeze said.

“We’ve been to Soul Street the past couple of years and it’s been a great experience and we have always wanted to play it so we’re very grateful to have the opportunity.

“It’s a great atmosphere with a real community feel.”

Other performers on the night will include X-Factor series six finalist Caitlyn Shadbolt, multi-instrumentalist singer and songwriter Hayley Grace, roots and reggae troubadours Jesse Morris and the Shakdown, electronic act Loonaloop, solo artist Andy Jans-Brown, Sunshine Coast rock group Owls of Neptune and indie rock band Lucid Safari.

The event, which is supported by Byron Shire Council, Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce and Byron Visitor Centre, will include a silent disco, interactive lighting and audio activations by VC Builds, roving performers such as Vulcana Circus and children’s activities including face painting with Create Art Studio.

Celebrations start at 4pm, with entertainment starting on the main stage at Dening Park near Byron Bay Surf Club at 6pm.