With the Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival on hiatus this year, local live music fans won’t go without. Opening the community-led Sounds of Jazz & Blues weekend at Yves Social on Friday 6 March are the Swamp Critters, a four-piece Illawarra blues band with deep roots in the regional music scene.“It’s the first time for us, so we’re excited to have a spot there at the Jazz and Blues,” said band member Tim Kierse.Formed in 2018 but ever-changing in its membership, the band now also comprises Mark Wallis, Steve Whitworth and Kate Whitworth.The seasoned musicians have graced stages across the South Coast to Sydney – from pubs and clubs to private parties, and at regional events including the Goulburn Blues Festival.“The Swamp Critters have always been focused on a more southern flavour of blues than what we saw on offer at venues at the time,” Kierse said.The band draws on a wide range of influences – from Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley and Junior Wells, to contemporary acts such as Smokehouse, Owen Wilson, Southern Culture on the Skids, and Bonnie Raitt – a mix that allows them to tailor performances to Saturday night dance crowds and more relaxed Sunday afternoon audiences.The current line-up has been together since December, with drummer Steve Whitworth the only original member.Their sound, described as “grooving the blues,” blends traditional blues structures with a soulful edge.“Blues is kind of an all-encompassing term. It’s different things for different people,” Kierse said. “But sort of our style of it, and some of the songs that we play, there’s definitely a bit of a soul tinge to some of the songs, and some that actually get in a bit of a groove. Not too fast, not too slow, but something to get your head nodding and your feet tapping.”Primarily a pubs-and-clubs band, the Swamp Critters thrive in intimate environments. “It’s not unusual to have people dancing literally within arm’s reach of the band at different venues,” Kierse said.Like many regional musicians, the band faces the challenge of fewer venues supporting live music. “There’s a lot of bands out there and there’s not a lot of venues that actually support live music these days,” Kierse said.“So it’s a bit of a challenge to actually get regular gigs, especially for a band such as us that are focused more on lesser well-known songs.”For Friday night at Yves Social, the plan is to start slow and build into a lively two-hour set. “Pretty much we’ll start out slow and finish strong.Normally what we would do is we would have our set list of songs and more dancey-type numbers for the Friday night crowd, and we’ll see how it goes and how the crowd reacts,” Kierse said.In a year without the festival, Swamp Critters are showing that Kiama’s live music scene endures – fueled by musicians and venues determined to keep the blues alive.

More than a dozen local venues have already signed on for the Sounds of Jazz & Blues weekend which will be held early next month. The live music weekend from 6-8 March will feature local businesses hosting jazz, blues and a mix of other musical styles, with music-lovers encouraged to wander between venues and enjoy live music across Kiama and surrounding villages.To make it easier and safer for people to move between venues, a free Blues Bus shuttle loop service will operate across the weekend, thanks to sponsorship from the Kiama Business Network.KBN president Cathryn Lyall said the shuttle was a practical way to support local businesses.“This weekend is all about collaboration,” she said.“Local venues are hosting and funding their own live music, and the Blues Bus helps people enjoy more of what’s on offer while supporting our hospitality community.”All performances are free to attend, with individual venues managing entry conditions, capacity limits and any booking requirements.The weekend of music is filling the gap after the Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival opted to pause in 2026 ahead of its 40th anniversary return next year.Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said the weekend was about backing local effort and keeping live music at the heart of the community.“Sounds of Jazz & Blues is about local venues, local musicians and locals coming together to keep our town buzzing,” Cr McDonald said.“It’s a great example of what can happen when a community works together to create something special.”A full gig guide and performance schedule will be released shortly, allowing audiences to plan their own music trail for the weekend.Among the participating venues are Burnetts on Barney, Club Jamberoo, Cin Cin Wine Bar, Crooked River Wines, Diggies Kiama, The Grand Hotel, JJ’s Indian Kiama, KG Café, Kiama Beach Tag, Kiama Bowling Club, Kiama Golf Club, Kiama Leagues Club, Kiama Surf Club, Mercure Gerringong, Saltwater Cafe, Stoic Brewing, Yves Kiama as well as the Gerringong and Kiama libraries.

The sun was out and the vibes were high as Hindmarsh Park came alive with sound for the latest installment of Music in the Park (25 January). Despite another day of sweltering heat, the event proved to be a resounding success, drawing a crowd that organizer Charlie D’Amico described as having an awesome buzz.From the soulful melodies of 15-year-old local prodigy Florence Johnson to the high-octane energy of the Ramoans tribute showband, the afternoon bridged the gap between grassroots talent and seasoned professionals.While the event currently enjoys the support of a Kiama Council Cultural Grant, D’Amico is looking toward a more ambitious future.RamoansWith the live music scene currently struggling and artists swamped with the desire to find a stage, he has his sights set on expansion. D’Amico envisions holding the event four times a year on fixed dates, providing the community with a regular schedule and giving more performers the opportunity to be involved.To transition from an occasional highlight to a quarterly staple, D’Amico is looking beyond local borders for support. SeldomHe is beginning the process of seeking further funding from state and federal government sources and intends to contact representatives Katelin McInerney and Fiona Phillips to discuss the future of the initiative.He believes that increased frequency is essential to supporting musicians who are finding it harder and harder to secure gigs in the current climate.Despite the success of the day, D'Amico noted a missed opportunity for the town regarding the Hindmarsh Park stage itself.He said that the facility remains significantly underutilized and encouraged other community members and event organizers to reach out to the Council to make better use of the space for future events.As the echoes of the last performance fade, the focus now shifts to whether higher levels of government will step up to help turn this local favorite into a permanent fixture of the Kiama calendar.

Local band The Water Runners enjoyed huge success at the Tamworth Country Music Festival over the weekend, bringing home not one, not two, but three major awards.The first was the Tamworth Songwriters Association Country Blues Award for their song Viking and the second was the CCMA (Capital Country Music Association) National Songwriter of the Year Award for their song Last Train from Central.“⁠We love to tell stories in our songs,” said The Water Runners’ lead guitarist and vocalist John Littrich. “Often they are sad stories relating to historical events, but Viking and Last Train from Central are actually a little tongue in cheek.“Viking tells the story of a musician walking into a pub to play, only to find the crowd looks like a wild mob of Vikings. Luckily, an Elvis song saves the day! Last Train from Central tells a story that many can relate to - particularly those in the Illawarra - staying out in Sydney for one drink too many and having to run like crazy to make that late train home.”The band’s third award came from The Australian Bush Balladeers Association Inc, which presented The Water Runners with the Music Excellence Award for their video Shelter, filmed at the Jamberoo Pub and surrounding areas.“The themes in the lyrics for Shelter are quite universal - seeking comfort and safety in a troubled world - but the song is also upbeat, so we decided to create a story in the clip about the band being stuck on the side of the road in the rain with a broken-down car on the way to a gig,” said Littrich.“They are ‘rescued’ by a passing motorist who takes them - instruments and all - to the gig, where they play music while their rescuer dances along to the song. The clip was filmed in beautiful Jamberoo and at the Jamberoo Pub. The outdoor scenes look very rural, and the rustic old pub comes across as the perfect warm and cosy venue for a band to play.”The clip also features Littrich’s son Dom, who is part of The Inspired Unemployed comedy group, as well as fellow band Pacific Avenue.Littrich said he was ecstatic with the band’s three award wins.“When you look at the calibre of some of the other songwriters this year and in past years, it’s so encouraging to walk away with these awards,” he said.“This should help open more doors for us in terms of future festivals - not just Tamworth, but around the country - and lead to more people listening to our music. It’s so nice to be recognised by your peers.”On top of the awards, the band also performed throughout the Tamworth festival weekend and had an absolute blast.“The Longyard shows really stood out for the way people wanted to talk with us about our songs during the breaks and after the show. Many had a story to tell about a place or event we had sung about,” said Littrich.“Playing at the Tamworth Songwriters Association awards night was very memorable - and a little bit scary - with so many experienced songwriters and musicians sitting there watching us.”Next up for the award-winning band is a mini tour through the Riverina, with shows in Wagga Wagga and Tumbarumba, a cruise ship performance in Sydney, and a folk festival appearance in Yackandandah, Victoria.“Hopefully our Tamworth success will generate more interest in these shows and in what we have lined up later in the year. It also helps get our music out to regional radio stations, taking our stories to places near and far. We’re excited to see what the year brings.”The Water Runners’ most recent album, Shelter, is out now. It includes the three award-winning songs and was recorded by Syd Green of Jervis Bay Studios, a well-known local musical identity and current drummer for Kasey Chambers.

By Sharon TrejbalHeld every year in the second week in January, coinciding with Elvis Presley’s birthday, the Parkes Elvis Festival celebrated its 33rd year in 2026 — and it was as impressive as ever.This marked my sixth year attending the festival, which consists of more than 200 events across five fun-filled days.My daughter and I have made the festival an annual tradition, and this year we were joined by our two-year-old grandson — proof that the event truly offers something for all ages. For the first time, I took part in Saturday’s street parade rather than watching from the sidelines with a camera — a colourful procession of Elvises, Priscillas, dancers and entertainers who fill the streets with magic.Cooke Park, in the centre of town, is the heart of the festival, hosting an outstanding line-up of free live performances alongside street food vendors and boutique-style stalls.Entertainment continues well into the evening, with free outdoor shows and ticketed performances at the local clubs.With this year’s theme, Love Me Tender, the town embraced the spirit in full force.From the vintage cars and retro fashions to the street dancing, music and unmistakable atmosphere, the entire town embraces a rock-and-roll revival. With most visitors dressing up, the mood is infectious and celebratory.Recognised as one of the top three festivals and events in Australia, the festival attracts over 24,000 fans, both nationally and internationally, having a global reach of more than 422 million.In March 2025, the Parkes Elvis Festival was awarded Foundational Event status by the NSW Government, recognising its heritage and ongoing impact on the regional economy, and cementing its place on the national events calendar.The presale waiting list for 2027 tickets is already open — a wonderful excuse to escape into country NSW and witness a small regional town come alive.

‘Music in the Park’ on Sunday, 25 January is coming back for another year, with a mix of young local talent, classic rock, folk, blues and high-energy punk set to take centre stage at Hindmarsh Park. Running from 2 till 6pm, the free outdoor concert will feature five acts from across the region with a mix of sounds to suit music lovers of all ages.Among the performers is Florence Johnson, a 15-year-old singer-songwriter on piano and vocals.Florence, a student of long-time Kiama singing teacher Marianne Patton, is known for her love of soul, jazz and pop, and is looking forward to the opportunity to perform at the event.Also appearing is Char Wall, an 18-year-old singer-songwriter who recently graduated from TIGS. Char has been selected to perform at ENCORE at the Sydney Opera House (a prestigious showcase of outstanding HSC music performances from 2025) and is also a student of Marianne Patton.Bringing vintage sounds to the afternoon will be The Freewheelers, a duo featuring vocals, guitar, harmonica and cajon (google it if you must). Their set blends folk, blues and country.Fans of louder fare will enjoy Ramoans, a high-energy tribute to legendary punk band ‘The Ramones’, recreating the raw live sound of the original group with classics such as “Blitzkrieg Bop” and “I Wanna Be Sedated.”Rounding out the line-up is Seldom, a local four-piece band performing popular covers rooted in classic and alternative rock.‘Music in the Park’ is supported by a cultural grant from Kiama Council, which has helped make the event possible. ‘Music in the Park’ remains a popular fixture on Kiama’s summer calendar, bringing families and friends to gather with picnic blankets for an afternoon of live entertainment. The event’s family-friendly atmosphere and free entry continue to make it a highlight in summer, particularly at a time when festival cancellations are filling our Headlines.

It was late 1965 when Mike McClellan first took to the stage at the Troubadour. It was Sydney’s premier folk venue. Few among the audience that night would have been aware that they were witnessing the beginning of a career that would see the young man with the engaging tenor voice and remarkable guitar technique go on to become one of the most acclaimed singer, songwriter, guitarists of his generation.And it is even less likely that they would have conceived of him still enchanting audiences in 2025. The depth and artistry of his writing, singing and playing has never waned across his long career. Not long before he recently retired from radio, ABC broadcaster Richard Glover remarked, “Mike McClellan just gets better and better.”Though seemingly ageless, and with no desire to stop performing, Mike has suggested this tour will be the last long one he will undertake. The concerts will feature songs from his entire career: his classic 1974 hit Song and Dance Man, his second hit, The One I Love, produced by Vanda and Young, his I Wonder Who You’re Waiting For, a new song from a wonderful series of late career albums, to his powerful Letter To America from his 12th album for which Bob Dylan gave him permission to use one of his lines.Steve Britt recently wrote: “McClellan is still the consummate performer – a wonderful singer, guitar player and songwriter who keeps the audience in the palm of his hand."The Last Song & Dance? Saturday, 29 November from 7.30pm-10pm at Kiama Leagues Club.

When legendary Australian folk band The Waifs rolled into town for the recent Red Hot Summer Tour they had planned a pre-show lunch stop at Berry Bakery.The band - Western Australian sisters Donna Simpson and Vicki Thorne and Tuross Heads local Josh Cunningham - have been popping into the bakery for more than three decades on their way to Josh’s home town during east coast tours in their trusty van.“We would fang the Toyota Hiace early in the morning in time to hit the Berry Bakery after a show at the Wollongong Uni,” the Waifs recalled on their Facebook page after the beloved band’s recent gig at Berry Showground for the Red Hot Summer Tour.“It’s now 2025 and the Berry Bakery had a line that was too long for us before the show. Good for them! Keep baking away you mob cos we’ve loved your produce for years.”Lines were “out the door” across the town for the recent Red Hot Summer Tour concert, with Berry's population swelling by thousands and bringing an economic boon to businesses.Publicans at The Berry Hotel and Great Southern Hotel said bar staff were “run off their feet” and bistro bookings were at capacity.Crowded House. Photo: Henry KatzWith Crowded House headlining the festival and support acts including Vika and Linda Bull with Mark Seymour, Angus and Julia Stone and The Church along with The Waifs, the tour sold out within days of tickets being released.The Red Hot Summer tour will return to Berry in February with master storyteller Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, The Cruel Sea, The Cat Empire, Kasey Chambers, and Jess Hitchcock.And with the most recent event proving a hit with punters and local businesses alike, it is expected to again reach maximum capacity.A 2024 Live Music Census found long toilet, food and bar lines and delays entering and exiting concerts and festivals were the biggest turn-offs for fans.But Berry nailed it with the number of ladies loos almost double that of the men. Bars were plentiful and lines non-existent and while there were queues for food, the ability for people to bring their own snacks, from boxes of Cheezels to a cheese platter, meant no one left hungry.One festival-goer labelled it “the most civilised gig ever”. Another noted it was “unprecedented” for the men’s loo queue to be longer than the ladies at a festival.Neil Finn lights up Berry. Photo: Silvie MacdonaldWhile there were lines to exit the festival, concert-goers were patient for the most part and traffic management strategies were in place to ensure exiting the town and hitting the freeway was relatively smooth-sailing.The Red Hot Summer tours appear to be bucking industry trends, with a report by Creative Australia in April finding a downturn in the number of Aussies tuning in to homegrown music.The report noted although there was “a slight increase in live music attendance, industry revenue was mostly driven by international tours presented at major venues”.“In recent years music festival organisers have been faced with unprecedented challenges due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather events, regulatory changes and rising operational costs,” says Creative Australia.Challenges Kiama knows all too well. Two major festivals - Changing Tides and Folk By The Sea - recently pulled the pin on planned shows in a massive blow to the town’s event calendar.Both cited poor ticket sales with Folk By The Sea - a Kiama institution for more than a decade - saying the decision was necessary “due to the key challenge of attracting patrons from outside the area”.Aus rock icon Mark Seymour. Photo: Henry Katz Kiama Tourism and Economic Advisory Committee chair Matt Brown labelled the Changing Tides cancellation “a shame for the operators and the locals who love to see big headline acts in their own backyard”.He said major events were part of Kiama’s “destination marketing” and the cancellations of Changing Tides and Folk By The Sea would have a “significant impact on the Kiama economy”.It is estimated patrons spend around $300 during their stay, resulting in a more than $5 million dollar hit to the town’s economy after both festival cancellations.This figure is backed up by a cost-benefit analysis carried out by Australia's Live Music Office, which found that for every dollar spent on live music in Australia $3 worth of benefits are returned to the wider community.The Creative Australia report found Australian music festivals are experiencing “a period of significant adaptation, facing changing patterns of audience behaviour and later purchasing of tickets”.Berry Showground was packed when The Waifs opened the concert. Photo: Henry Katz

The Bugle headed up to the Southern Highlands over the long weekend to see what was happening across the region - and there is plenty happening.The Horizontal Festival, held at Centennial Vineyards was pumping on Saturday and continues today (Sunday), offering a showcase of the best food, wine, and produce New South Wales has to offer.Across four curated sessions over two days - midday and evening - festivalgoers can taste, sip, savour, and explore their way through themed zones celebrating the state’s culinary and creative talent.Guests wandered between the Sparkling Bar, where oysters and classical music set a refined tone, and The Vineyard, which channelled Italian flair with antipasto and crisp whites. In the Rosé Room, wine education and masterclasses proved popular, while the Red Wine Barrel Room offered a more decadent pairing experience. Outside, the Hops Garden & Orchard buzzed with craft beer, distillers, food trucks, and a lively concert stage that kept energy high all afternoon.Highlights included live performances and a DJ garden set, with wine, cheese, and distillery tastings all included in the general admission price. Platinum guests enjoyed an exclusive Brokenwood Wine Tasting, while The Masterclass Series drew crowds eager to learn from some of Australia’s best - including chefs Mark Best, Mindy Woods, Simon Evans, and Sarah McDougall.Producers from across the state showcased their wares, including Dharawal Distillery, Dawning Day Wines, Lerida Estate, Bowral Honey Farm, Red Mill Rum, Apple Thief Cider, Lord Howe Island Distillery, Centennial Wines, SoHi (to die for cocktails), and many more. Local Highlands business Alka Power also kept patrons refreshed at their on-site hydration station.In all, more than 75 producers, chefs, artisans, brewers, winemakers, and artists took part, celebrating the region’s growing reputation as a food and wine destination.Meanwhile, in Robertson, the BABE celebrations of 30 years are in full swing adding to the fun of the long weekend.From fine wine to farmyard fun, there’s still time for a Sunday drive over the mountain!Photo Credits Bellinda Dunn Social photos from the weekend will be put up on Scintillating Socials on the Bugle App

The Gerringong Music Club is hosting The Men’s Shed Chorale for the first time on Sunday (21 September), bringing their unique blend of friendship and music to the local stage at Gerringong Town Hall.The Men’s Shed Chorale is no ordinary choir, with the youngest members in their 60s and the eldest being an energetic 92-year-old. Formed in 2012, from a few singing sessions in front of a home piano, they have grown into a choir that has performed more than 150 concerts across the Sydney region.Gerringong Music Club’s musical director Imogen Stewart has nothing but praise for the group.“I booked them last year after seeing them on television … I thought it would be a really lovely Sunday afternoon concert,” she said.“They have a great sound, they sing in beautiful harmony, and they perform many well-known songs.”The group will present a diverse repertoire including well loved classics like Danny Boy, as well as solo performances and instrumental pieces.For these men, the music represents far more than just entertainment, it offers a sense of wellbeing, purpose, and camaraderie.“The support we’ve given each other through sickness and loss has been invaluable…And of course, there’s the fun - the absolute joy of singing together,” said choir member John Boland.This upcoming show reflects Gerringong Music Club’s commitment to showcasing diverse performances to the local community. Established in 2003 by Gem Buck, the club has been branching out and trying to include world music, like previous performances by Estampa and Sonido.“We are wanting to bring music to everyone, to all different age groups and demographics in our area,” Stewart said.“As a non-profit organisation, we are all volunteers, we are endeavouring to maintain a low price point. We pay our artists as well, but we also make it accessible for the public.”“We're just trying to keep live music happening.”Stewart notes that The Men’s Shed Chorale are not affiliated with The Men’s Shed movement but takes its name and ethos of the movement: friendship, companionship, and working together for a bigger purpose.The Men’s Shed Chorale is being held at Gerringong Town Hall on Sunday from 2-3:30pm (doors open 1:30pm). Tickets available online at gerringongmusicclub.com.au or at the door. Members, children and students free; visitors $30

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend of music as the 12th annual Folk by the Sea Festival comes to Kiama from 12-14 September.The festival has an impressive lineup of over 35 bands and artists from across Australia, performing in nine venues at the Kiama Showground Pavillion and surrounds.Festival director Neil McCann says he’s excited for what the festival has in store, with around 200 performers having applied, organisers had the luxury of selecting 30 to 40 acts based on quality.“This is a small festival compared to many folk festivals, but it attracts really good quality musicians," he said.This year’s program includes award-winning acts like Darren Coggan, recipient of multiple Golden Guitars and Independent Country Music Awards, The Weeping Willows, and Charley Castle and the Boys in the Well, a young band that recently won the Tamworth Busking Competition. There will also be local favourites performing at the festival including Kiama Sea Shanty and Kiama Pipe Band."The Weeping Willows have just come back from a European tour, and you've got to have a fair bit of quality to pull off a sold-out European tour," McMann said.The festival offers diverse venue experiences, from The Pavilion accommodating over 200 people, to more intimate venues that host around 20 to 30 people.“People come to the folk festival to take in the music, and they watch, they listen, and they enjoy the music,” McMann said.“The audience love it because they're up close and personal with the musicians, and they can hear everything.”The festival is kicking off on Thursday night with a free charity concert at the Kiama Leagues Club, with entry by donation to Lifeline South Coast.Tickets are available online at folkbythesea.com.au/tickets or can be purchased at the gate on the day.

The Jamberoo Country Women’s Association (CWA) are delighted to announce that ‘Opera in the Valley’ is returning to the Jamberoo School of Arts on Saturday 1 November.This year they have “something new for Jamberoo”, for the first time maestro, Glenn Amer, is putting together a complete comic opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.The first half of Opera in the Valley will be ‘Lo Sposo Deluso’ or ‘The Deluded Bridegroom’ and will be performed in English. Mozart wrote this opera in 1783 when he was just 27 years old.Jamberoo CWA’s first Opera in the Valley was held in 1997, and as usual, they have a wonderful group of singers lined up for 2025.Cathy Delhaas, member of the Jamberoo CWA, says this year's production promises to be quite different from previous years. Rather than the traditional lineup of a mezzo-soprano, soprano, baritone and tenor, Glenn has assembled a cast featuring a bass, countertenor, tenor and soprano for this Mozart production.The second half of the production will maintain the popular style format that audiences have come to love, featuring well-known songs from musicals and operas that brings the evening to a thrilling finale with the cast performing together.The evening includes a full CWA supper after the performance, and an interval complete with wine, cheese, and fruit, and the Jamberoo School of Arts is the perfect venue, offering excellent acoustics.“The acoustics in that hall are fantastic,” said Cathy.“You can sit up the back and you can hear just as well as those sitting up the front or in the middle.”More information about ticket sales and the full lineup for Opera in the Valley will be announced in October.

Charley Castle loves Bluegrass music, but she prefers to call her version of the classic Americana genre “Newgrass”.Kiama is the next stop for her band, Charley Castle and The Boys In The Well, when they are one of the headline acts at Folk By The Sea from September 11-14.The festival features 115 concerts over the four days, with performers ranging from Charley Castle and other national acts including multi Tamworth Golden Guitar winner Darren Coggan, dynamic Victorian duo The Weeping Willows and acclaimed Indigenous story-teller Jessie Lloyd, to some of Kiama’s finest, including The Water Runners, Kiama Sea Shanty Club and the Kiama Pipe Band.Charley and her band will be playing at the Thursday night charity concert at Kiama Leagues Club, as part of the festival’s opening night program at Kiama Pavilion at 10.20pm on Friday (September 12) and again on Saturday at 5pm. Charley will also join other female artists as part of the two-hour Sirens of the Sea all-female show at 2.45pm on Saturday at the Anglican Church Hall.Playing with The Boys In The Well - Reuben Ryan (acoustic guitar), Henry Junor (double bass) and George Teasdell (mandolin) – is relatively new for Charley. The band formed last year after Charley had previously been part of a harmony trio called the Fallen Robins, with her younger sisters Jess and Sarah.The Fallen Robins performed for eight years at festivals around the country, including Folk By The Sea in 2023, but eventually Jess and Sarah decided to concentrate on non-musical careers while Charley teamed up with The Boys In The Well. They had early validation, winning the busking award at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January, which came with a $2000 prize and two paid festival gigs.“It is obviously a totally different dynamic than being on the road with your siblings,” said Charley, who hails from Sydney’s Northern Beaches. “We’re excited to be coming to Kiama for Folk By The Sea, having played there two years ago with the Fallen Robins. “I have very nice memories of the festival, and it is going to be fun coming back with the band.“Our music is a blend of Bluegrass, Country and Folk, and we do lots of jumping around.”Harmonies are also a prominent feature with her new band, whose music can veer from up-tempo party sets to soft and beautiful ballads.The band has released a seven-track EP of original songs, while also adapting classic country rock and pop songs into Bluegrass for their festival shows.“It’s fun to experiment and put our style to popular songs - like 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton and even Baby One More Time by Britney Spears and Beyonce’s Texas Hold ’Em.“I’m not sure you’d call our music Bluegrass though – it’s more Newgrass.”Charley said she’d been strongly influenced by other Australian Bluegrass-oriented bands like The Button Collective (who have played at Folk By The Sea on multiple occasions), The Morrisons and Kiama’s own The Water Runners.“Watching those bands, seeing them play Bluegrass with an Australian flavour, got us into it,” she said.Her band has shared several stages with The Water Runners over the past year, and she is looking forward to doing that again.Festival director Neil McCann, a member of The Water Runners, says he expects Charley Castle and The Boys In The Well to be one of the most popular acts at Folk By The Sea.“They’re a great live band,” Neil said. “I think audiences are going to love them.”Entry for the Thursday night Charity Concert, from 7pm-10.15 at Kiama Leagues Club, is by donation with all proceeds going to Lifeline South Coast. The Friday-Sunday afternoon festival program based at Kiama Showground Pavilion is ticketed, with details at www.folkbythesea.com.au and there are special prices for youth with children under 12 admitted free.The festival will wrap up with a free concert at Kiama Bowling Club on Sunday from 5.30pm.

Kiama’s favourite folk band, The Water Runners, plan to showcase their upcoming fourth album when they return to the town’s annual folk festival, Folk By The Sea, at Kiama Showground on September 12-14.The Water Runners recorded the songs for their new album, Shelter, at Syd Green’s Jervis Bay recording studio earlier this year and the album should be released in late September.Lead singer John Littrich says Shelter is a mix of fast-paced Bluegrass “toe-tappers” and slower songs.The Water Runners recorded the songs “live” at Green’s studio, before the producer, who is also the drummer in Kasey Chambers’ band, left on a US tour with the iconic Australian singer.Green is home now and finalising the “mix”, but the physical CD is still a few weeks away.While the CD is unlikely to be ready to launch at Folk By The Sea, Littrich says he’s looking forward to introducing the songs to the band’s home-town audience at their three sets over the festival weekend. He hopes audiences will find the new songs “relatable”.“For example, The Last Train from Central, as the name implies is about trying to make it on to the last South Coast train of the night from Central after a big night out in Sydney,” he said. “I am sure plenty of South Coast people will be able to relate to that.”As always, the band has tapped into historical stories for some of their songs.Littrich’s Mickey Brennan’s Lament tells the story of a 19-year-old miner who died in the 1902 Mt Kembla coal mine disaster, an underground explosion that left 96 workers dead and more than 120 years later remains one of Australia’s biggest industrial tragedies.“Mickey Brennan had only started working at Mt Kembla mine four days before the explosion, and his was the only victim’s body that was never recovered after the explosion,” Littrich said. “His father, who also worked in the mine, searched the mine shafts for two years looking for his son. It is such a sad story.”The band’s mandolin and banjo player Neil McCann – who is also the Festival Director for Folk By The Sea – contributed an award-winning song called Emily Smith, about a man who was the only survivor of a colonial-era shipwreck off Kangaroo Island in South Australia.McCann wrote the song for a competition when the band was playing at the Fleurieu Folk Festival at Willunga in South Australia in 2023. “The festival organisers ran a competition for original songs about South Australia, and we were lucky enough to win it with Emily Smith,” McCann said. “I had recently been on Kangaroo Island with my wife Wendy, and we were really taken by the number of shipwrecks that had occurred in that part of Australia. “We heard this story about the one person who had survived a particular shipwreck, so I wrote the song from his perspective.”The Water Runners have deep ties to the Kiama community. Littrich and McCann live in Kiama, while double bass player James Turk hails from Gerringong. Danita Harris (violin and vocals) grew up in Bowral and now lives in Campbelltown.They have been perennial favourites at Folk By The Sea but missed last year’s festival as the band took a six-month break while Littrich and his wife Jane travelled around Australia.McCann took that opportunity to put his hand up for the Festival Director’s job and enjoyed it so much that he is back this year with the dual roles of Festival Director and performer.“I’m really looking forward to combining the roles,” McCann said. “I really learnt a lot about running the festival last year and really enjoyed the experience of doing it in my own town. “I was keen to continue the role, and I can’t see any problems with also performing this year – there just won’t be any chance to relax and have a few drinks after our shows!”The Water Runners have three shows during Folk By The Sea. They are part of the line-up at the Thursday night (September 11) Charity Preview show at Group Seven Leagues Club and have shows on Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon at the Showground Pavilion.Folk By The Sea is presented by the Illawarra Folk Club. It kicks off with a charity preview concert at Kiama Leagues Club on Thursday, September 11, with all proceeds going to Lifeline South Coast.The ticketed festival starts on Friday evening at Kiama Showground and continues until Sunday afternoon. It will wrap up with a free concert at Kiama Bowling Club on Sunday evening.The full program and ticket information is available on the festival website folkbythesea.com.au.FOLK BY THE SEA ARTISTS LIST: Alex Randles (ACT), Ally Row (VIC), Balkan Boogie, Charles Maimarosia (VIC), Charley Castles and the Boys In The Well, Chloe and Jason Roweth, Darren Coggan, Fly Little Sparrow (QLD/NSW), Grace Barr, Graeme ‘The Scotsman’ McColgan, Hand Over Hammer (VIC), Good Tunes, Humbuckin’ Pickups, Jessie Lloyd’s Sing on Country, Kane Calcite, Karen Law (QLD), Kiama Blowhole Buskers, Kiama Pipe Band, Kiama Sea Shanty, Louzco Fouzco, Marco and Rusty, Noel Gardner and Alex Bridge (QLD), Oceanique (VIC), Oliver Roweth, Robyn Sykes, Rhys Crimmin (VIC), Russell Hannah, Scupriri, Slippery John Sausage and his Bayou Boys, Southern Cross Bush Band, Square Pegs, Stonybroke, The Butter Trackers, The Con Artists, The Lofty Mountain Band (SA), The Water Runners, The Weeping Willows (VIC), Whistle, Wood n’ Hide.

Folk By The Sea organisers have added a charity preview concert at Kiama Leagues Club auditorium on September 11 to launch this year’s festival.Folk By The Sea officially kicks off on Friday, September 12 at Kiama Showground Pavilion with a line-up including some of Australia’s leading Folk, Country, Celtic and Bluegrass artists.But music fans will be able to get a taste of what’s to come over the weekend at the Thursday night charity preview show featuring Bluegrass bands Charley Castles and The Boys in the Well, Kiama’s own The Water Runners, local folk duo Square Pegs and South Coast Indie-Folk artist Kane Calcite, as well as a performance from Kiama High School students to start the night at 7pm.Entry is by donation, with all proceeds going to Lifeline South Coast.Festival director Neil McCann said the preview show was a chance for people who hadn’t attended Folk By The Sea in previous years to come along to a free night of music and get an idea of what Folk By The Sea is all about.“We’re hoping this show will really ‘sell’ the festival to people who may not have been to a folk festival before,” he said. “They’ll see three of the festival’s main acts, as well as a performance from Kiama High School students, and hopefully they will want to come along to the main festival over the weekend.”The Folk By The Sea program has been finalised, with 40 acts and 100 concerts over the weekend. The main festival program gets underway at 5pm on Friday with the Kiama Sea Shanty Club performing on the Pavilion verandah, then at 6pm The Humbuckin’ Pickups take to the main stage in The Pavilion.Things really start to warm up after the official opening and Welcome to Country, with Victorian multi-Golden Guitar-winning Americana duo The Weeping Willows taking to the stage at 7.30pm.They will be followed by celebrated Indigenous performer Jessie Lloyd at 8.25pm and Solomon Islands singer Charles Maimarosia at 9.20pm. Charley Castles and her Boys In The Well will round out the night with some foot-stomping Bluegrass from 10.20pm.There will be two other venues operating with multiple performances at the Showground Pavilion throughout Friday night, while the nearby Kiama Uniting Church Hall will feature a Bush Dance at 8pm with the Southern Cross Bush Band.Kane Calcite.Saturday’s packed program kicks off at 9am, with headliner Darren Coggan sure to attract a big crowd at his only show at 9pm, which will wind up the day on the main stage.A multiple Golden Guitar winner from Tamworth’s Country Music Festival with a large catalogue of original songs, Coggan has also famously toured shows in which he performs the songs of some of the late 20th century’s most popular singer-songwriters, including John Lennon & Paul McCartney, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Glen Campbell and John Denver.A popular Folk By The Sea tradition, Sirens of the Sea which features acoustic performances by many of the festival’s main female acts, will be held on Saturday afternoon at 2.45pm at the Anglican Hall. This year’s Sirens concert will feature Ally Row, Charley Castles, Chloe Roweth, Fly Little Sparrow, Jessie Lloyd, Karen Law, Oceanique and The Weeping Willows.Sunday’s program again gets underway early, featuring acts like The Weeping Willows (9.30am), The Water Runners (12.05pm) and Jessie Lloyd (1pm).The festival will wrap with another free concert on Sunday night at Kiama Bowling Club from 5.30pm featuring the Kiama Blowhole Buskers, Graeme “The Scotsman” McColgan, Marco and Rusty, Rhys Crimmin and Slippery John Sausage and The Swamper Domper Bayou Boys.The full program and ticket information is available on the festival website folkbythesea.com.au.FOLK BY THE SEA ARTISTS LIST: Alex Randles (ACT), Ally Row (VIC), Balkan Boogie, Charles Maimarosia (VIC), Charley Castles and the Boys In The Well, Chloe and Jason Roweth, Darren Coggan, Fly Little Sparrow (QLD/NSW), Grace Barr, Graeme ‘The Scotsman’ McColgan, Hand Over Hammer (VIC), Good Tunes, Humbuckin' Pickups, Jessie Lloyd’s Sing on Country, Kane Calcite, Karen Law (QLD), Kiama Blowhole Buskers, Kiama Pipe Band, Kiama Sea Shanty, Louzco Fouzco, Marco and Rusty, Noel Gardner and Alex Bridge (QLD), Oceanique (VIC), Oliver Roweth, Robyn Sykes, Rhys Crimmin (VIC), Russell Hannah, Sam Fletcher Trio, Scupriri, Slippery John Sausage and his Bayou Boys, Southern Cross Bush Band, Square Pegs, Stonybroke, The Butter Trackers, The Con Artists, The Lofty Mountain Band (SA), The Water Runners, The Weeping Willows (VIC), Whistle, Wood n' Hide.

The Gerringong Music Club is welcoming back acclaimed violinist Anna da Silva Chen as they host a performance on Sunday 20 July with the Alma Moodie Quartet at Gerringong Town Hall.Anna first graced the Gerringong Music Club stage at just 11 years old and has maintained a relationship with the South Coast community ever since. Born in Sydney and raised in Wollongong, Anna has regularly performed for the Gerringong Music Club, even as recently as 2023, and was appointed as a permanent member of the Australian Chamber Orchestra earlier this year.Gerringong Music Club musical director Imogen Stewart, has expressed how this concert is significant for Anna and the Gerringong Music Club."We are thrilled to welcome Anna back to Gerringong,” said Imogen.“Having supported each other over the years, it’s wonderful to see her continuing to shine. This performance promises to be a highlight of our season”.The Alma Moodie Quartet, named after the pioneering Queensland violinist Alma Moodie, features violinists Anna da Silva Chen and Kristian Winther, violist James Wannan, and cellist Miles Mullin-Chivers. Together, they will perform works by Reger, Bartók, and Tchaikovsky, bringing an enthusiastic and contemporary approach to the classical string quartet repertoire.The performance represents a full circle moment for Anna, returning to the community that recognised her talent from the beginning. The concert offers audiences the opportunity to witness established musicians bringing fresh energy to classical work in an intimate venue setting.The concert runs from 2pm to 3:30pm at Gerringong Town Hall, with doors opening at 1:30pm. Tickets are available online at gerringongmusicclub.com.au or at the door.Entry is free for members, children and students, while visitors pay $30.

Sing Australia is throwing a party to celebrate 15 years of bringing music and enjoyment to the local community, with a special birthday night set for 25 June.The occasion marks years of performances across some of Kiama’s biggest events, from the Kiama Folk Festival, and Jazz & Blues Festival, to Anzac dawn services and Christmas carols.Leader and Conductor of the group, Maree Shepherd, welcomes the celebrations for the group which currently has over 40 members, with the purpose of the party being to honour those who have helped build and grow Sing Australia Kiama."We're doing this to honour people that have made such a big contribution to the success of Sing Australia Kiama, that may no longer be with us, but really were instrumental in helping establish it in the area,” Maree said.The celebration is particularly meaningful as the group missed celebrating their 10th birthday“We missed our 10th because it was in the middle of COVID, and whilst I did Zoom sessions with everybody throughout COVID, we couldn't actually get together,” Maree said.“So, we thought, look, we're going to set this up to have a little more fun for the 15th."Past and present members have been invited to join in on the night of celebrations.“We've invited back past leaders of SingAustralia who are going to be coming along to attend, plus some of the older members that are no longer with us, but for various reasons, going to come along to help us celebrate,” said Maree.Since forming in 2010, Sing Australia Kiama has performed at major local events including Citizenship Ceremonies, the Lion’s Convention, Festival of Choirs, Jamberoo Jam Festival, South Coast Sings, and Shellharbour Senior’s Expo.They’ve also brought music to aged care homes and performed at notable venues like Floriade, Old Parliament House, and St Mary’s Cathedral as part of the national Sing Australia network.The birthday celebration will be a night to remember with special performances as well as karaoke-style singalongs, and party food.“Some of the members will be doing various acts. We'll do some sing-alongs. We've got a bit of karaoke that I know people will sing along to and dance,” Maree said.While the birthday party is focused on honouring past and present members, Maree is always keen to welcome newcomers to their weekly Wednesday meetings.However, Maree finds the biggest problem with finding new members is that people are worried to join because they think they can’t sing.“Sing Australia isn't about judging people's singing voices. It's about connecting people through singing,” Maree said.“I think what attracts most people is not so much the singing, it's the friendships and it's the fun time you just have being together on the night having a go”.The group is a part of a network of over 70 singing groups across Australia, with a song list of about 500 songs, meaning members can join any group across the country without rehearsal.“I often invite members from the Wollongong, Vincentia and other groups from other Sing Australias to join us without rehearsal, because we sing from the same song books and as such, we can join together,” Maree said.For those wanting to try Sing Australia Kiama, the regular Wednesday night meetings from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Uniting Church are the perfect opportunity.“I'm always welcoming people to come and give it a go, they can come for three weeks without any commitment or payment or anything just to see the group,” Maree said.Maree is particularly keen to attract younger people to keep the group thriving for another 15 years of using music as a form of self-expression, free of expectations and judgement.For more information visit Sing Australia's website or contact Maree Shepherd at [email protected]

Kiama’s annual folk festival, Folk By The Sea, has secured an impressive headliner for this year’s event, with multiple Golden Guitar winner Darren Coggan set to perform at the festival in September. Coggan will take centrestage in a blockbuster Saturday show at the festival at Kiama Showground Pavilion on September 12-14. Festival Director Neil McCann expressed his enthusiasm about securing such a prominent singer. “We’re so excited to have Darren Coggan perform at Folk By The Sea,” he said.“He really is a consummate entertainer and he has such a vast volume of work to showcase.”Coggan has earned multiple Golden Guitar awards at Tamworth’s Country Music Festival with a large catalogue of original songs. He has also famously toured shows in which he performs the songs of some of the most iconic singer-songwriters, including John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Glen Campbell and John Denver.Coggan has performed his critically acclaimed Peace Train, a portrait of Cat Stevens, on some of the world’s grandest stages, from the Sydney Opera House to Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall in Scotland and Liverpool Philharmonic in England. He hosts the lifestyle TV program Sydney Weekender for Network Seven.Coggan joins a line-up of 40 acts from around Australia at Folk By The Sea, including Americana/bluegrass duo The Weeping Willows, Indi-folk band Hand Over Hammer, Triple j Unearthed-winning folk rock/alt country duo Ally Row from Victoria, Queensland Indigenous singer and storyteller Jessie Lloyd with her Sing On Country show, and folk-country act the Sam Fletcher Trio from NSW.Kiama will be well represented with Neil McCann’s own band The Water Runners, Kiama Blowhole Buskers, Kiama Pipe Band and the Kiama Sea Shanty crew.“We feel as though we have a really broad mix of good quality performers and a great mix and styles and genres,” Neil said. “There are some familiar names and acts, but also some outstanding interstate acts like The Weeping Willows, who are just great live. And I saw Sam Fletcher play at the Cobargo Folk Festival earlier this year, and he was fabulous.”Folk By The Sea is run by the Illawarra Folk Club and relies on a workforce of volunteers.Neil said organisers were looking for people to volunteer their time and skills for a variety of roles at the festival, as well as offering to home-host some of the visiting performers.Early Bird ticket and volunteering information is available on the festival website folkbythesea.com.auFull artist line-up: Alex Randles (ACT), Ally Row (VIC), Balkan Boogie, Charles Maimarosia (VIC), Chloe and Jason Roweth, Darren Coggan, Fly Little Sparrow (QLD/NSW), Grace Barr, Graeme The Scotman McColgan, Hand Over Hammer (VIC), Good Tunes, Humbuckin’ Pickups, Jessie Lloyds Sing on Country, Kane Calcite, Karen Law (QLD), Kiama Blowhole Buskers, Kiama Pipe Band, Kiama Sea Shanty, Louzco Fouzco, Marco and Rusty, Noel Gardner and Alex Bridge (QLD), Oceanique (VIC), Oliver Roweth, Robyn Sykes, Rhys Crimmin (VIC), Russell Hannah, Sam Fletcher Trio, Scupriri, Slippery John Sausage and his Bayou Boys, Southern Cross Band, Square Pegs, Stonybroke, The Butter Trackers, The Con Artists, The Lofty Mountain Band (SA), The Water Runners, The Weeping Willows (VIC), Whistle, Wood n’ Hide.

Carol GoddardIt’s hard to deny the undeniable pleasure of music and the power that it brings.From classical to rock to jazz to blues and every other musical genre, the sound, rhythm and pulse make us feel so alive.To quote the late, great Jimi Hendrix: “music is a safe kind of high”. The symptoms are obvious and intoxicating. If you find yourself hip-wiggling, foot-stomping, hand-clapping, swaying or just chilling to music, you've been taken captive.The music has got you in its potent grasp. It has enriched you. There were many examples of this phenomenon at last weekend’s Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival. For three glorious days, I was indeed a willing participant. The town was moving to the beat with so many people - young, old, locals and visitors - dancing like no one was watching, whether in our streets, in the cafés,Hindmarsh or Coronation Park, or at our beloved Fillmore’s and the Kiama Surf Club. It was a joyous snapshot of community togetherness at its most beautiful, all because of live music. Each musician gave us a gift by sharing their passion and creativity, and putting uncompromising heart and soul into their performances.They shared their thoughts and dreams, and in some cases, their fears. Julz Parker, a breathtakingly talented guitarist of the Lismore band Hussy Hicks, brought the house down at the surf club by proclaiming that the greatest antidote to fear was groove. Pearl Noire had the crowd spellbound and laughing at the cheeky, sometimes naughty, stage antics she pulled off so brilliantly. There were so many exciting, talented, amazing musicians, both homegrown and international imports in one spot, gorgeous Kiama. Perhaps this says it all: an elderly gentleman, on his own at the festival, told me what the weekend meant to him when I asked him if he got out to live gigs at all: “No, but I will from now on.”