THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 24 #25 Tuesday, November 24, 2009 Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au www.echo.net.au 21,000 copies every week
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A local feel to Mullum music fest
A number of the performers, a couple of revellers, the Magic Bus which will ply Dalley Street, Wacko and Blotto’s home away from home and a crocodile who may be too stuffed to make it, all getting excited about this week’s Mullum Music Festival. Photo Jeff ‘One Of Us’ Dawson.
After a successful inaugural event, the Mullum Music Festival is set to kick off this weekend for the second time. It is the festival that not only brings visitors and business into Mullumbimby, but gives locals the perfect escape from Schoolie madness in Byron Bay. With over 50 acts in eight venues over four days, it is a relaxed community event with diverse headline acts. A third of the acts are local, performing among national and international acts like Tex Perkins from Rosebank, Jali Buba Kuyateh from Senegal, Russian Ska Punk of Vulgagrad from Melbourne to WA’s Mama Kinthere. Festival director Glenn Wright has demonstrated that a festival doesn’t
need big tents and trucks, with his team making the most of existing local facilities and venues, even putting free entertainment, footpath dining and buskers on the sidewalks, and acts at the local pool. Wright told The Echo, ‘When I moved to Mullum I realised there was all the infrastructure and audience for an event to happen, but nothing was. Many of the venues were under-utilised. I think since last year’s festival, smaller promoters and local groups have been far more active. ‘I think it’s rare that there are seven great venues within walking distance on the one street. Also the fact that Mullum is just back from the main drag, not a beachside tourist destina-
tion, means that the festival attracts locals and music lovers. ‘It’s a celebration of music, enabling locals to have a taste of what major cities have on offer every weekend. The music is diverse and that is the real point of difference with this festival. ‘It’s rare that Vince Jones, Tex Perkins, JoJo Smith, Washington, Fyah Walk, CODA and Clelia Adams would appear on the same bill. It’s about good music. The great Jackie Orszaczky often said, “There are two types of music, good and bad”. I totally agree with that and book the festival accordingly.’ This year the festival is an even more family friendly one. Childcare is
available at the festival for $10 an hour and kids are welcome at venues with special kids’ entertainment. More restaurants in town will be open for longer periods, The Poinciana Café has free gigs each night at around 6pm, The Magic Bus runs Saturday and Sunday afternoons and there will be a bus shuttle running Saturday and Sunday evenings. The festival opens at the Civic Hall on Thursday November 26, hosted by MC Joel Salom, and a bit of everything is on offer. Sunday sold out last year so get your tickets early. Tickets are available from www. mullummusicfestival.com or RAW Store, Stuart Street, Mullumbimby, or call the festival hotline on 6684 6195.
Mayor asks Schoolies to respect Bay Byron Shire Mayor Jan Barham has asked visiting Schoolies to respect Byron Bay. ‘For some young school leavers this may be their first time in Byron Bay and we want them to take home memories of a positive experience,’ said Cr Barham in a press release. ‘I congratulate them all on finishing their secondary education and wish them the best of luck for their results. ‘This is a time for the school leavers to enjoy themselves and take advantage of the area’s unique holiday offerings. I encourage them to make time to explore our magnificent environment, relax in one of the many excellent cafés, see firsthand the region’s creative vibe and catch a wave or two at our iconic beaches. ‘A few simple mindful steps can make all the difference to their Byron Bay holiday.’ The steps Cr Barham had in mind include being responsible at accommodation venues, adhering to the maximum accommodation limits, drinking responsibly, being careful in the water and being respectful with noise levels, especially at night. Council has contributed an additional $35,000 in funding this year to help manage the impact of the young holiday makers on public infrastructure. Cr Barham said additional surf lifesaving services, lighting, garbage collection and cleaning of parks, beaches, reserves, toilets and town footpaths have been put in place. Council is also funding the Main Beach HUB marquee that will be used by volunteers and community groups over the three week period. In related news the state government is cracking down on fire safety at accommodation and entertainment venues around Bryon Bay. NSWFB Commissioner Greg Mullins said the crackdown on fire safety was part of the NSWFB’s ongoing commitment to carry out fire safety inspections for all major events in NSW. ■ Comment, page 10
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