A live music event that embodies the spirit of the Northern Rivers, the all-ages community friendly Byron Music Festival (BMF) returns in 2023.
To be staged Saturday 17 June, the local line-up features more than 30 bands and artists including Blondie Lee, Bunny Racket, Caravan Sun, Drop Legs, Dusty Boots, Groove Terminator & Sound Of The Shire Choir, Hussy Hicks, JK-47, Luke Morris & The Heavy Hitters, Mini Skirt, Nathan Kaye, Resin Dogs and Yazmindi."Get the crew together, BMF is back to celebrate iconic and emerging music of Bundjalung Country and beyond," shares event organisers.
There's also a stack of emerging local talent on the bill: Ally Palmer, Body Dey, Concrete Gold, Da Manager, Donny Shades & The Majestic Knights, Gimmy & The Spring Rollers, Pasiflorez, Poppy Galactic, The Colliflowers, The Sea Benz and Tony Velvet.
"Oh yes, it is happening again," shares Bunny Racket. "If you have been to the Byron Music Festival before, then you know how good it is. Best crew, best music and in the best spot of all time. We are so stoked to be returning this year. Get tickets, because they will sell out again for sure."
Festival Director Nick Sergi gives us the inside scoop about this year's event.
Celebrating all things local in the Northern Rivers and surrounding areas is the mantra of the festival; why the specific focus on an all-local line-up?
This festival is an extension of my store Byron Music, which has been at the centre of this creative community for over 35 years.
I have always been amazed by the diversity and calibre of music this region has been able and continues to produce, many of whom have been customers and part of the store's legacy – so I wanted to showcase and celebrate this.
This is now the second instalment of Byron Music Festival; what have you learned from the previous festival to implement this year, and are there any other initiatives or activations you have planned to debut in 2023 or beyond?
We are really building on the great parts that bought community together in 2021 – during the middle of a pandemic!
In 2022, our region was devastated by floods and many events were cancelled again, so 2023 is an opportunity for us to reconnect and establish ourselves again to celebrate something very simple – local music.
The area has a bountiful supply of creatives and musicians living locally; is that a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy as one generation evolves into the next inspired by those who came before?
Inspiration comes from those around you, and if you're constantly amongst it then the desire to be a part of it is very strong.
I see this in many forms from artists, to workers, to punters. The Northern Rivers area has the largest concentration of artist and arts industry workers in the nation; it is definitely something we are proud of and committed to celebrating.
By hosting events like this it also provides an opportunity for paid employment for workers that typically spend time on the road to make their income; it's really special to be able to work within your community.
We also have connected with SAE Byron Bay, Byron Youth Services and the local schools to provide experience opportunities for aspiring arts professionals in hope to inspire the next generation.
The festival site is simply stunning with one of the best backdrops of any music event nationwide; how much does hosting the festival in the heart of Byron Bay equate to the overall success that can be achieved?
We were talking about this in the office a few days ago, one of the team said 'I think we might have the best festival backdrop in the country', and we all agreed.
Maybe we're biased because we all live here and love our home, but it really is something special being at a festival on the foreshore and seeing the sun drop over the ocean and hinterland.
The idea of Byron Music Festival was to celebrate musicians from Bundjalung Country and beyond, right in our home town of Byron Bay. To be able to host it in town is amazing for the whole community.
The festival is in June which is our low tourist season, so bringing a festival back to the town was a way to host an event in an amazing location, but also bring people into the local businesses and venues. Also the whales will be out to play adding to the absolute beauty of our home.
Who are some of the bigger name acts you're keen to see play live in 2023?
There is so much great music to see over the festival weekend, around 60 acts will perform from Friday till Sunday across the main event and side events held in our partnering venues: The Northern, Byron Services Club and Treehouse.
Personally, I'm really keen to see JK-47, Resin Dogs and Groove Terminator. GT is playing his History Of House show with a 30-piece local choir. However, the diversity of genres will be appealling to everyone. We even have rockers Bunny Racket for the kids. It's going to be amazing.
There's also a stack of lesser known acts that are equally talented; who are some of the artists people are likely to discover at BMF who are destined for bigger stages?
A few I've got my eyes on are Gimmy & The Spring Rollers, Drop Legs and Mini Skirt. The list is SO BIG!
One of our targets has been to provide more opportunities for emerging artists. In 2021 we ran a mentor programme with four young artists – Bodhi Dey, Concrete Gold, Ratmongers and Kaliya – so I'm super excited to see how our support has helped them progress from bedroom to stage.
While local is the focus, the festival is aimed at bringing in music lovers from outside the area; BMF truly is placed for the ultimate winter weekend get away especially given the weather is spectacular at this time of year, right?
Winter in Byron is amazing. The weather is spectacular and in fact one of our sunnier months.
BMF is such a great event for people keen to get away for a weekend outside of our busy tourist season or for our locals to enjoy the downtime before we move into the busier end of the year. There is so much to love and see around the place, and live music will bring you here.
While the area is home to several national festivals that attract international line-ups, how important is it locally to stage a festival that provides emerging artists and bands a platform they can legitimately work towards performing one day?
Giving opportunities and platforms for these emerging artists to perform is so important.
As mentioned, the level of musicianship of our region is exceptional. We are continuing to find ways to support and nurture this, and there is no better way than to than giving them the right platform to start from.
Music isn't the only attraction at BMF; what other attractions are on offer?
BMF is a family-friendly event with loads to do for everyone. Kids areas, amazing local food, artisan stalls, cultural activations and bars overlooking the ocean.
There'll also be a number of pop-up events staged around BMF; what can you share about these?
Yep, we have a bunch of events happening over the BMF weekend including Friday 16 pre-party at the Northern (free entry) featuring Flying Machine, Off Judy, Soy Division, Stoned Waves, Ratmongers, Fauve, Ben Walsh, Billy Bailey, Kira Sunday, Balasko.
Saturday 17 is BMF plus After Party at Byron Bay Services Club (free entry) featuring Velvet Trip, Colbey, The New Language, Versace Boys, Tahlia Matheson, DJ Sun Jazz, plus After After Party at Salty's.
Sunday 18 is the beach cleanup BBQ plus the recovery party at Treehouse (free entry) featuring Felicity Lawless, Animal Ventura, Burning Hands, and Summer Woods.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks for supporting local live music.
Byron Music Festival takes place at Dening Park (Byron Bay) 17 June.
Byron Music Festival 2023 Line-up
Ally PalmerAzo Bell Trio
Blondie Lee
Bodhi Dey
Bunny Racket
Caravan Sun
Concrete Gold
Da Manager
Donny Shades & The Majestic Knights
Drop Legs
Dusty Boots
Emily Lubitz
Gimme & The Spring Rollers
Groove Terminator & Sound Of The Shire Choir
Holiday
Hussy Hicks
JK-47
Kaliya Lee
Luke Morris & The Heavy Hitters
Marshall & The Fro
Mini Skirt
Nathan Kaye
Pasiflorez
Poppy Galactic
Resin Dogs
Stereo
Summer Woods
Hayley Grace & The Bay Collective
The Colliflowers
The Sea Benz
Tony Velvet
Yazmindi
