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Mullumbimby - Fri Nov 27 – Sun Nov 29
Friday Nov 27
“Welcome to Mullumbimby – the biggest little town in Australia. Expect respect.” Thus reads the entrance signs as we make our way to the annual celebration of musical diversity hosted by a northern New South Wales tucked-away gem.
The first act we see is one-man band Juzzie Smith, who works his guitar, harmonica and didgeridoo magic upon the whooping Bowlo patrons. At the nearby Drill Hall, New York-born folkie Susanna Carmen offers more laidback listening with her Joni Mitchell and Gillian Welch-influenced storysongs. We can’t stick around for ages, though, and catch some of The Little Stevies’ happy-clappy live show at the Ex-Services Club before driving down to Byron Bay for The Church.
Saturday Nov 28
… begins in a very ‘80s fashion as Byron’s new wave revivalists Polaroid Fame take us 25 years back, covering David Bowie’s Let’s Dance along the way. Vulgargrad’s Russian folk-ska is an even more danceable proposition, while Fyah Walk’s blazing roots reggae threatens to set off the fire alarm at the Mullum High gym and calls for a quick swim. We’re back in time for today’s biggest draw Tex ‘The Sex’ Perkins, a throng of ladies dancing to The Cruel Sea man’s solo tunes. Closing the night, West Australian soul diva Mama Kin has The Civic Hall in the palm of her hand with emotion-drenched soul ballads and prime New Orleans piano-‘fonk’. Respect!
Sunday Nov 29
Beach-storm-back to town. At The Courthouse, Georgia Potter and her crack band cover the scope from ‘70s soul belters to More For Yourself’s attitude-laden folk and Take It Down’s righteous reggae. Worldbeat maestros Afro Dizzi Act and Jali Buba Kuyateh soon kickstart the dancing party at the Mullum High before the impossible-to-classify Djan Djan – Jeff Lang, tabla master Bobby Singh and kora genius Mamadou Diabate – meld their otherworldly skills in a hypnotising display. Closing the Mullum Fest, walking Latin music encyclopedia Nano Stern holds court at The Civic Hall while Sunshine Coast electro-tribalists Oka turn the Ex-Services Club into a multi-limbed bush doof. Sweaty and danced-out, we head back to Brisbalon; Mullum, we love you.
DENIS SEMCHENKO
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