Byron Bay Blog

I had a blast again this year - got a big kick from seeing DEVO. The rest of my family enjoyed The Grates, The Panics, Band of Horses, Operator Please, etc. The weather was warm & dry, the food was great… all up an excellent festival. Read the official Splendour wrap up and we’ll do it all again next year.

Here’s what the organisers had to say…

What a weekend! In what has been described as the biggest, best Splendour in the Grass ever, over 17,500 music fans congregated over the weekend in Byron Bay to celebrate a musical and cultural extravaganza featuring the very cream of international and Australia music artists, art, theatre, markets, food and culture.

Byron locals The Black Stars kicked off musical proceedings on Saturday and the vibe and the energy never stopped. At the Big Top stage, a cranked up crowd saw Gold Coast teen superstars Operator Please give us a glimpse of our musical future. Leeds funksters The Music and Scottish melody makers The Fratellis, and the world’s hottest new band US-based The Cold War Kids showed exactly why we should believe the hype, while rock gods Gyroscope and The Galvatrons performed storming sets that kept the Aussie flag flying against the bright blue skies. The Living End capped a comeback year with a set of epic proportions before Devo came, saw and conquered with a set featuring their old hits - complete with yellow jumpsuits and flowerpot heads, as if the eighties were reborn.

Over at the Grant McLennan Stage, indie favourites The Drones, powerhouse chanteuse Claire Bowditch and US bearded wonders The Band of Horses sang songs of breath taking beauty and depth. The Polyphonic Spree with their choir of 18, completed the evening with a hands in the air, hands on your heart spiritual experience.

Over at the Mix Up Tent, our socks were rockin’, our buns were shakin’ and our feet never stopped movin’. NZ’s Scribe and Bliss N Eso played music with a message, while Australia’s Pnau, complete with dancing fruit showed us why Elton John had recently become enamoured with their music. The enigma that is Tricky took the crowd on a dark and light musical journey to finish off the night.

On Sunday, the great vibe and brilliant weather continued. At the Big Top, Melbourne’s British India showed why they are Australia’s band to watch, US band Vampire Weekend had the crowd jumping with their afro beat while Liverpool UK’s The Wombats stormed home with a set which made them the most talked about band this weekend. Iceland’s Sigur Ros, whose epic tunes and soaring melodies lifted the audience to a higher place while Wolfmother, held their status as Australia’s top rock band.

At The Mix Up Tent, Katalyst lived up to his reputation of rocking the house right, while other highlights were the UK’s New Young Pony Club, and The Presets, who complete with pink tuxes and bowties showed why they are one of the biggest bands in Australia, with a cranking set.

The GW McLennan Tent continued to showcase the world’s best songwriters. The crowd gave it up for former Go-Between Robert Forster and home grown favourites The Panics, while Mr Ben Lee, with his quirky charm rounded off the night with a beautiful soulful set of soaring beauty.

This year Splendour upgraded their medical response team by using Queensland’s largest provider of first aid services, Emergency First Aid Services, to provide a comprehensive care package for patrons.

Stephen Barnes (Emergency First Aid Services Representative) said, “Most treatments were for minor complaints, such as blisters, cuts and abrasions. A doctor was on hand to care for a few pre-existing medical conditions that presented throughout the weekend, and thanks to this, transports to hospital were well down on last year’s event.”

So as the sun sets on Splendour’s final year at Belongil Fields before we move on to our new home at Yelgun for 2009, we say goodbye to another year of amazing music, incredible vibes and the most fun you can cram into a weekend.

See you next year & thanks for the memories!

Splendour in the Grass Team

rick :: Aug.05.2008 :: Byron Bay, Byron Bay News, Entertainment :: No Comments »

A selection of the best entries from this year’s Visions of the Valley photographic competition will be on display in the foyer of the Byron Shire Council offices at Mullumbimby for two weeks from Tuesday July 1. The popular competition, which attracted more than 160 entries this year, is held as part of the Brunswick Valley Nature Festival.

Adrian :: Jun.28.2008 :: Byron Bay News :: No Comments »

The Brunswick Valley Nature Festival on Sunday (June 1) will be a fun day out for the family with activities for everyone. It will also be an opportunity to learn about the biodiversity of the Brunswick Valley - the rich tapestry of life that makes the environment of our region one of the most unique in the country - and why it is under threat. Speakers will explain why we must protect the biodiversity of the Valley and what we can all do to help. There will be sessions on native gardening and what to plant to attract native birds, keeping native bees, getting rid of cane toads, and making use of the diversity of life that exists beneath the soil. There will be an early morning bird walk along the banks of Mullumbimby Creek and other creek walks with experienced leaders talking about butterflies and fish habitat. There’s even a slippery session on what to do if you encounter a snake while you’re gardening. If you need help with weed identification, bring the weeds along. Experts will be on hand to give advice. The Festival is at the Shearwater Steiner School, Left Bank Road, Mullumbimby from 9am to 4pm (Birds for Brekkie bird walk at 7.30am). The Nature Festival is a World Environment Day event. Entry is by gold coin donation which will go towards the purchase of trees for Landcare. More information on the Brunswick Valley Landcare web site http://www.brunswickvalleylandcare.org.au

Adrian :: May.29.2008 :: Byron Bay News :: No Comments »

The 2nd Byron Underwater Festival was a massive success. Sell out events and activities, glorious weather and calm seas made this an event to remember for everyone. Almost 60 people from all over Australia came to participate in the annual underwater photo and video shootout competition, making it the biggest event of this kind in the whole Australasia region. Over 20,000 dollars worth of prizes including cameras, underwater housings, dive gear and a dive trip for two to Papua New Guinea were handed over to winning participants in 7 categories. Biggest winner was Ballina resident Mark Gray who scored both first prize in the SLR camera category as well as the Underwater Portfolio. Two local school groups went out with sponsor cameras to take underwater photos for the first time and the winning students walked away with an underwater photography course, diving vouchers and books.

The Marine Visions open medium art competition held as part of the Underwater Festival in conjunction with Retrospect Galleries saw over 100 entries including sculptures, photographs and some amazing fine art. Over 300 people attended the launch event on Friday and it was pushing room only to get close to the works. Winner of the fine art prize was Paul Colby with his work titled “Marine Playground”. Some works can still be seen at Retrospect Galleries this week and will remain on display on the Underwater Festival website - underwaterfestival.com.au

Part of this year’s Byron Underwater Festival was also the Australian premiere screening of the anti-JAWS documentary “Sharkwater” by Canadian filmmaker Rob Stewart. The screening was held as a fund raiser for “Australian Seabird Rescue” in Ballina and organised in collaboration with the BayFM “Generator” program at Byron Cinemas biggest screen on Saturday night. The night was a sell-out and the personal introduction to the film by world renowned underwater cinematographer David Hannan made the screening a huge success. Certainly a film everybody should go and watch when it get released Australia wide on May 15.

Other highlights of the festival were the underwater photography clinics by Mathieu Meur, who flew in for this festival all the way from Singapore. His clinics were sold out quickly and participants were putting their new learned skills to test immediately. Mathieu who authored 3 books on digital underwater photography promised to be back next year for more workshops.

Last years guest of honour, Australia’s own underwater pioneer Neville Coleman was back this year to launch his new book the “Nudibranchs Encyclopedia of Asia and Indo-Pacific”. Neville is the author of over 60 books and well known for his passion for the underwater world and the small and unusual critters it contains. Listening to him talk about his many decades of exploration is an inspiration and for those who managed to meet him during the festival or hear his radio interview on BayFM on Friday will realise what an amazing person he is.

The Byron Underwater Festival is an annual event and not just for divers. Aimed at everyone wanting to experience our marine environment for themselves it encourages all to participate - whether you want to learn more about it, dive it, snorkel it, kayak it … or even paint it. Only one year to go to the next one …

To see all the winning photographic entries of the shoot-out and the artworks of the Marine Visions contest visit the Byron Underwater Festival website

Planula :: May.08.2008 :: Byron Bay News :: No Comments »

May through August each year sees Byron Bay host a wide variety of events & festivals - something for everybody.

30 April - 4 May : Byron Underwater Festival, visit www.underwaterfestival.com.au.

4 May : Winter Whales Ocean Classic, 2.2km Ocean Swim, visit www.byronswimclassic.com.

10 May : Byron Bay Triathlon, Olympic Distance Triathlon, visit www.byronbaytri.com.

May 24 - June 1 : FEHVA, The festival for art lovers and artists, visit www.fehva.com.

25-27 July : Byron Bay Writers Festival, visit www.byronbaywritersfestival.com.au.

2 & 3 August : Splendour in the Grass, tickets on sale in May, visit www.splendourinthegrass.com.

So if you’re interested in the ocean, fitness, art &/or music - and looking for an excusse to visit Byron this winter, I suggest you start planning now.

rick :: Apr.09.2008 :: Activity, Australia, Byron Bay, Byron Bay News, Community, Culture, Entertainment :: Comments Off

The dates and venue for the 2008 Splendour Festival have just been announced: 2 & 3 August at Belongil Fields, Byron Bay.

Here’s the press release;

OK music lovers. It’s time to dust off your dancing shoes and put these key dates in your calendar for the much-anticipated SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS event for 2008.

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS will return this winter, Saturday August 2nd and Sunday August 3rd, to be staged in the beautiful sub tropics of Northern NSW’s Byron Bay.

And despite efforts to stage the forthcoming event at the proposed new site of North Byron Shire Parklands, organisers can confirm that SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS will for this year be held at Belongil Fields in Byron Bay, where it has been staged successfully for the past 7 years.

Now in its 8th year, SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS will continue to deliver performances by some of the finest music acts in Australia and around the world.

Tickets for the 2008 SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS will be on sale in May with first artists on the line-up to be announced late April. Watch this space for all this and more.

To keep up to date with festival information visit www.splendourinthegrass.com

For a wide choice of available accommodation visit our Splendour Accommodation Guide

I can’t wait!

rick :: Mar.19.2008 :: Activity, Australia, Byron Bay, Byron Bay News, Entertainment :: No Comments »

This year is the 20th year for the Winter Whales Ocean Classic and the event will include the 2.2km Wategoes to Main Beach swim as well as ‘the dash for cash’ (500 m sprint) and the new ‘Mini Classic’ (800 m).

Date: First Sunday in May - 4 May 2008

Time: 10:00 am start

Location: Byron Bay Surf Club, Main Beach race starts from Wategoes

Contact: Chris Lowry aquadoctor@gmail.com

I am expecting more details soon, and will publish them here.

rick :: Feb.27.2008 :: Activity, Australia, Byron Bay, Byron Bay News :: No Comments »

“Rosella Jam” is a community a’cappella choir dedicated to creating an
opportunity for all people to experience the power of singing together.

It has only recently become common knowledge that the health benefits of
singing are outstanding, both physically and psychologically.

Rosella Jam hosts “SING OUT” Weekend Getaways which are open to the public
and are held at varying popular holiday locations throughout Northern N.S.W.
and S.E. Queensland.

“SING OUT” weekends provide a unique and valuable outlet for artistic
expression. They encompass singing, good food, excellent accommodation and
the opportunity to get away from it all for a couple of days.

The weekends are for people who wish to treat themselves, connect, have fun
and sing their hearts out while at the same time giving their immune system
a healthy boost.

ALL are welcome!

The next singing weekend will be held at the luxurious 4-star Peppers
Casuarina Lodge in the Byron Hinterland. The fun commences Friday night on
30th May at 7.00pm and finishes at 3pm on Sunday afternoon the 1st June.
This is an unbeatable value for money weekend.

Contact: Marsha Gusti 07 55982880 Email: mgusti@bigpond.net.au FOR MORE
INFO www.rosellajam.com

rick :: Feb.14.2008 :: Activity, Australia, Byron Bay, Byron Bay News, Culture :: No Comments »

The 2008 Brunswick Valley Nature Festival will be all about conserving biodiversity in our unique natural environment. The theme “Birds, bugs and butterflies” will highlight the threat of climate change to the region’s biodiversity as increasing numbers of species face extinction, and just what that means for our future.

The Festival will be at the Shearwater Steiner School at Mullumbimby on Sunday 1st June, 2008. You can read more about the Festival at http://www.brunswickvalleylandcare.org.au

The day will include workshops and presentations, bird walks, and lots of hands-on and fun activities for everyone. Put the date in your calendar now.

Volunteers are needed to assist with the organisation and to help out on the day - please offer your services if there is anything you would like to do to make the Festival a success.

Volunteers are invited to call Adrian on 6685 1287 or email to brunsvalley@optusnet.com.au
Posted by Adrian Begg, Brunswick Valley Landcare.

Adrian :: Jan.26.2008 :: Byron Bay News :: No Comments »

We are getting some crazy coverage on national TV telling Australians that the whole Northern Rivers is inaccessible etc.

This is just a short post for all those looking for answers of whether to come to Byron or to stay home.

After some heavy rain on the 3rd of January, Byron has been free of major rain events and we have been having sunny and happy days.

So common up and soak up the sun, the surf and the spirit of Byron

Cheers and happy 2008

Tim Hochgrebe
Planula B&B Retreat
http://www.planula.com.au

Planula :: Jan.07.2008 :: Byron Bay News :: No Comments »