SOUL INJECTION Byron Bay’s Bluesfest strengthened their line-up again on Thursday by adding ‘90s R’n’B icon Lauryn Hill to the Easter festival. The US artist is famous for her time with The Fugees, that spawned hits like Killing Me Softy and her neo-soul classic solo record The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Hill performs on Good Friday and joins a line-up of Robert Plant, Lionel Richie, Kesha, John Butler Trio and Sheryl Crowe.
GUITAR MAESTRO Phil Emmanuel will introduce his new band to Newcastle audiences when he performs at the Wickham Park Hotel on February 9. The guitar legend’s latest band features Chontia (vocals), Parris Macleod (keyboards), Garry Ward (bass) and Tom De Voss (drums) and will perform songs from Emmanuel’s latest album, The Best So Far. Sydney blue-rockers Bounty Hunters will provide support.
LEARNING TOUR Canberra indie-folk band The Gypsy Scholars released new single Cold Hands on Friday from their forthcoming debut EP and to celebrate they will play the Lass O’Gowrie Hotel on February 2.
ROCK EXPERIMENT Blues-rocker The Amanda Emblem Experiment plays the Stag and Hunter Hotel on Saturday to support her debut EP Bitten By Love. All the tracks are linked by a similar lyrical theme.
CELTIC CABARET Spiegeltent Newcastle will feature a Celtic-folk make-over after Scotland’s Breabach were announced for the three-week cultural showcase. Traditionally Speigeltent has featured mostly cabaret acts, such as this year’s headliner Blanc de Blanc, who was the creative mind behind Madonna’s Rebel Heart tour. Breabach play at Spiegeltent on April 3.
Josh Leeson
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
