That Fest is on this weekend!
The one day, multi-stage music extravaganza celebrating the hottest Australian talent is on this weekend at Cabarita Beach. With carnie rides, market stalls, side show alleys and a deluge of culinary delights, That Festival is more than just a festival; it is a prodigious and symphonious spectacle set to electrify the most boisterous festival crowd. Line up includes Midnight Juggernauts, The Beautiful Girls, Blue Juice, Pez, Ft 360, Matik & Hailey Cramer, The Fumes, Koolism, Cut off Your Hands (NZ), Philadelphia Grand Jury, The Galvatrons, Kid Kenobi/Mc Shureshock, the Aston Shuffle, Yacht Club DJs, Sampology, Nick Findlay (of the Purple Sneakers), Jono Fernandez, Stereogamous Ft Paul Mac, Sure Cut Kids, Muzi Beats, Max Judo and Concrete Street.
Tickets are $65+b/f  and are available at these stores: Blue Rose Cafe, Cabarita Beach, Surf Xcess, Kingscliff, Great Northern Hotel, Byron, Coolangatta Hotel, City Beach at Tweed City/ Tweed Centro/ Lismore Square, Sunflower Music at Pacific Fair, Broadbeach. On the gate they are $100 unless sold out. Limited under 18 tickets available, so get in quickly! Also available online at www.thatfest.com/ That Fest will be held on the corner of Tweed Coast and Round Mountain Roads, Cabarita Beach on Saturday November 28.

Karnivool
After a storming circuit of the country a few months back, WA heavyweights Karnivool are heading out again before the year is out. The band’s long-awaited opus Sound Awake was released in early June, earning rave reviews and a recent J Award nomination. As bassist Jono Stockman quipped at the time: ‘Themata was an album of hooks, while Sound Awake is an album of lures.’ The five-piece is sure to be in fighting form when they roll up to their last shows for 2009. Coolangatta Hotel Friday November 27.

Budgie
Welsh rock/metal band Budgie are returning to Australia for their second tour. With Burke Shelley on bass and vocals, Steve Williams on drums and long time friend DIO’s talented axeman Craig Goldy on guitars, this is a must see show for lovers of power rock. The raw energy of this band was a catalyst for the UK classic rock/metal scene in the early 70s. Coolangatta Hotel Saturday November 28.

Rod Ladgrove and The Eastwoods
Rod Ladgrove started out busking Beatles tunes in Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall. He wanted to concentrate on his own music however, so in 2005 Rod set off for London, spending a year playing around the city, and taking in sets at the acclaimed Virtual Acoustic Club and Notting Hill Gate. The resulting first album,
Snapshots, was released to critical praise the following year. For new album High Ideals Rod has enlisted Adelaide band The Eastwoods (Josh Marks, Tristan Marks and Peri Strathearn). The new material showcases a harder, bluesier edge. Somewhere in the mix, however, remains Rod’s familiar voice, singing the trademark insightful lyrics found in Snapshots. The subject matter has matured; where Snapshots was inspired by youthful travels, High Ideals is in context of the global credit crisis and consumerism. Rod Ladgrove and The Eastwoods perform Friday at the Ivory Tavern Tweed Heads.

The Ninth Chapter
The Ninth Chapter combines elements of folk, blues and jazz with solid funk undertones to create a unique and dynamic experience. After forming in 2007, The Ninth Chapter has established a style that is gaining much attention throughout the North Coast of NSW and Brisbane. Winning the inaugural Open Arms Festival Battle of the Bands late ‘08 and featuring on Perishers ‘09 winter compilation as well as supporting the likes of True Live and Dallas Frasca has enhanced their reputation as an up and coming band with a bright future. You can see The Ninth Chapter Saturday at The Ivory.

Zeus Baby and Mescalito Blues
Zeus Baby is an electro-dance-rock experience born from the remains of seminal Gold Coast beats collective U3-GO. Chief member Mark Hartung has reinvented his electro sound with a fatter, band approach and a live, jam band dynamic. They are on the bill with Mescalito Blues, who combine the gritty vocals, swampy blues guitar and rhythmic stomp box of Gavin Doniger with the boot stomping guitar, and hypnotic harmonica of Mattie Barker. Mescalito Blues are fast building a reputation for blazing live shows that resonate with audiences from all walks of life. Ivory Tavern, Tweed Heads Sunday November 29 from 1pm.

Preston Train
Preston Train return to the Salt Bar Saturday. The Train interpret songs by the likes of the Bondi Cigars, Robben Ford and The Rolling Stones, through to Ben Harper, Donovan Frankenreiter, Foo Fighters and some classics from the Hoodoo Gurus/Sunnyboys and Hunters & Collectors. Salt Bar, Saturday November 28.

Salmonella Dub
As pioneers of New Zealand’s unmistakable sonic mix of dub, reggae, drum ‘n bass, hip hop, and rock, Salmonella Dub have paved the way for countless acts to carve a career here in Australia and garnered a loyal and committed, long time fan base. They return to Australia in November with a new studio album (the first run will be sold with a limited edition premium disc), and a national tour. Freak Controller is the band’s seventh full length studio LP, and will be in store from November. Freak Controller features guests including the Tuhoe diva Whirimako Black, The Mighty Asterix, MC Mana (Ex Rhombus) and Ants from Budspells. Coolangatta Hotel Thursday December 3.

So You Think You Have Talent
It’s Grand Final time this Friday for Seagulls – the winner of the entire competition wins $1500 cash!  All audience members receive a remote control to take charge of the voting process and scores are instantly calculated and shown on the big screen for all to see. Friday at Seagulls from 8pm.

The Ten Sopranos Cancel
The Ten Sopranos concert, scheduled for this Sunday at 2pm at Seagulls, has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. It will be rescheduled to a later date. Seagulls are sorry for any inconvenience caused and refunds will be issued for any tickets purchased.

A Day In the Life of Mullum Music Festival
Here’s a recipe for a perfect Sunday, brought to you by the Mullum Music Festival. Roll out of bed, pack your swimmers, grab your dancing shoes and prepare yourself for one of the best days of your life. Don’t attempt anything without a coffee… oh and don’t forget the kids. This is an event that they can enjoy as well. Check in for breakfast at the Poinciana, home of the Festival Club. If you’re lucky you might catch an early morning busker sunning themselves in the courtyard and the odd musician finding solace in a smoothie. Expand your vocal repertoire with Mr Percival, Lord of the Loop.  This 10am workshop at the Civic Hall is a chance to spend time with the fabulous Mr P who is renowned for his improvisational techniques and his ability to link people with songs from the soul. The kids can stay at the Civic Hall for the 11.30am session of Curly Cousins. You might even get to catch the end of James Kenyon’s Workshop and most of Sussana Carman before a Spaghetti Lunch in the festival grounds when the children of Spaghetti Circus present a busking performance.
Forget what your Mum said about waiting an hour and tog up for the pool. You don’t even have to walk. You can catch The Magic Bus and cruise on down for a dip and maybe catch the Blue Hulas in their ukulele heaven. While the kids are swimming you might want to develop a program strategy… a way to negotiate catching one of the 37 plus performances at your fingertips. Drop the kids at KidzKlub, specialists in kid’s entertainment and child minding at the Scout Hall from 1-5pm. (Just behind the Post Office). The Arthouse Creche is for those children who love to unleash their creative side with clay modelling, painting, beading, drawing, stamping, wire sculpture, stenciling (kids 3-13 and $10/kid/hour). So you don’t need to feel guilty enjoying yourself without them for a few hours… the kids are expanding their minds! Head back to  the Bowling Club and catch Ange Takats, winner of the 2008 Lis Johnston Award for vocal excellence at the National Folk Festival. If you leave a little before the end you’ll catch the 18 strong ensemble, The Big Band at the End of The Universe and maybe Juzzie Smith down the other end of town. If you’ve got teenagers, then head them up to the High School for Half Nelson.
Grab a beer at the Ex-Services and enjoy a bit of a trip down David Lane, pop across the road for idiosyncratic pop pin ups, CODA and then high-tail it back to the High School for everybody’s sweetheart, Jo Jo Smith. It’s back to back at the civic with Australia’s finest Jazz singer, Vince Jones followed by vodka swilling Russian toy boys, Vulgargrad. You’re gonna have to pick up the kids so go grab them, get some Pizza courtesy of Milk & Honey into them, walk the streets, enjoy the buskers and then nip up to the bowlo for Perch Creek Family Jug Band, the perfect act to bring the family together. Nip back to the Civic Hall and catch Tin Pan Orange, and Laneous and The Family Yah over  at the Ex Services.… and then to finish the night maybe Fyah Walk at The High School or something to wind down, like Loren Kate at the acoustic venue, the Drill Hall. Tired and musically sated it’s time to get yourself home. This is only one suggestion for one person’s day at the Mullum Music Fest… I suggest you get yourself a ticket (Sunday sold out last year) and make your own magic happen.
For program and ticketing enquiries go to www.mullummusicfestival.com.au or pop into Raw Store, Stuart Street Mullumbimby. Ticket hotline is 6684 6195.

At Club Elsewhere this week:
Friday November 27 – Electronic Boogie Show with Poodfy and Audun
For those of you that have a Friday fetish, come and check out the Electronic Boogie Show. Long time resident, Audun is joined by Poodfy, fast becoming a Friday night favourite. This duo is capable of turning a dancefloor into sweating mush in a matter of records with their special blend of disco edits and futuristic house. Saturday November 28 – motion:theory presents Katharine’s Birthday Special with Strawberry Syme (Byron Bay), Nirav and Ben Abrahams. 
For Katharine’s birthday, Ben Abrahams has gathered a few of the All-Stars to play the soundtrack to the festivities – ensuring she has plenty of tunes to inspire her on the dancefloor this Saturday. Blending dubby, house music with fragile, ever-funky techno, Strawberry Syme, Nirav and musical director, Ben Abrahams will continually explore new and emerging genres throughout the seven hour celebration.
Sunday November 29 – Royale Sunday with Stretch and Giv
say goodbye to spring and welcome to summer with two of our favourite Royale Sunday DJs, Giv (soundtraffik) and Stretch.


The Golden Mean
The Golden Mean exhibition sees five internationally recognised local male artists together for the first time. It includes 32 major works by David Calrow and sensational 3-dimensional wall art. Also featured will be Graeme Stevenson, working onsite with his 5 metre by 2 metre canvas scheduled for completion by the end of January. This is a very rare opportunity to watch the development of a work in progress by one of Australia’s foremost artists. Brilliant works by Robert Todonai and Robert Pope will hang alongside over 40 bronze statues by renowned personality Frank Miles. Opens from November 29 at the Escape Fine Art Gallery, Brisbane St, Murwillumbah. Phone 02 6672 2433 or visit www.escapeart.com.au