Summer may be over but the party hasn’t stopped.
And just when you thought all your public holiday days had been cashed in, the Queen blesses us with her day of birth and provides another excuse to have one more party. A Royally Goodtime will fall on the Sunday of June Long Weekend (you guessed it, the Queen’s birthday). The weekend will play host to a plethora of in-demand artists including What so Not, Panama (pictured above), Branchez and The Habits.
What So Not. Need I say more? The Sydney duo includes Harley Streten (of Flume fame) and Chris Emerson (Emoh Instead) and together they have already gained massive credibility through their original and creative collaboration. As part of The Quack EP release (set for mid June) tour which includes countless cities and towns in Australia, What So Not will be making a much anticipated appearance on the shores of Byron Bay this June long weekend. Their bass heavy sounds are sure to be a crowd favourite.
Five-piece talents Panama also join the lineup, gracing fans with their clean percussion and summery sound, brought together by the soothing vocals of lead singer Jarrah McCleary. Commonly known for their hit single ‘We Have Love’, Panama is the result of a former group’s (The Dirty Secrets) restlessness for more. McCleary is joined by his old band mate, Cam Edwards (The Dirty Secrets) and a collective of hand-selected local artists, who ultimately create the perfect combination of 80s pop sensibility and modern sounds. An appropriate addition to the long weekend’s lineup indeed.
Branchez joins us all the way from New York and has been making waves in both the electronic music & hip-hop communities with his soulful brand of “big room hip-hop”. After breaking onto the scene with his self-released track ‘Treat You Right’, he solidified his place among this year’s top new acts with his massive single ‘Shake’, a track which blends elements most common to house and jazz with unique bass-heavy percussion. More recently, Branchez has received international acclaim for his bootleg of Rihanna’s track ‘Stay’ ft. Mykki Ekko. Branchez has done official remixes of Rockie Fresh, Stalley ft. Rick Ross, Kastle, and Tokimonsta and has been supported by artists including A-Trak, Diplo, Sway, Flosstradamus, Craze and more.
Finally, Byron Bay locals The Habits are a new musical project you won’t want to kick. The quartet benefit from their members’ years of experience playing with some of the country’s most dynamic acts – Tim Freedman of The Whitlams, Darren Seltmann of The Avalanches, festival stalwarts Marshall and The Fro and former Sony signees Kurtis and The Element among others. This sound foundation, (bassist Nick Fitzpatrick, drummer Ben Cox, and lead guitarist Sam Shine) lays the framework for vocalist Dan Clark – an emerging talent in his own right – to create soundscapes and push boundaries with an indie-rock slant. The band is in the throes of putting together their first release for 2013. Given their well-established versatility, Byron Bay will be in for a treat with these newcomers.
A Royally Good Time is not a night to be missed, do yourself a favour and pre-purchase tickets now as this show is sure to sell out.
General admission tickets are $20 + BF and are on sale now from www.moshtix.com.au or the Beach Hotel Bottleshop.