David Lowe Musicians are the backbone of our most memorable cultural and life events, so it’s particularly unfair that they’ve borne the brunt of the COVID-19 shutdown. Along with other freelance cultural workers, there are no rescue packages for most musos, even though they’ve always been first in line to help others after disasters.
The irony is that music has become a completely essential service for lots of us trying to hold on to our sanity at this time…READ MORE
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David LoweThis story first appeared in Byron Venue in March 2020  Oh - remember the good ol' days when performers and audiences were all in the same place at the same time. Iggy Pop at Bluesfest 2019. Photo David Lowe. Bluesfest isn’t happening, Splendour has been postponed and even James Bond is on ice while we all learn about social distancing, but that doesn’t mean humans aren’t still getting together. Technology, so often blamed for isolating people, is also making new connections possible. READ MORE David LoweThis article first appeared in The Echo in August 2019 Lovers of fine music had a wonderful treat on the weekend with some of the best players in the world in town for the 18th Bangalow Music Festival, presented by Southern Cross Soloists.
The program included favourites and less well-known pieces by the masters, including Bach, Mozart, Rimsky-Korsakov and Rachmaninoff, as well as exciting new works from Australian and international composers, including Joe Chindamo and John Psathas. After opening with young piano prodigy Alex Raineri alone at the Steinway playing Chopin, the festival presented a kaleidoscope of different musical configurations including duos, trios, quartets and even a guitar quintet. Players filled the Bangalow A&I Hall stage to overflowing for the most ambitious works…READ MORE |