Line Up
Set Times
Mental As Anything
In 1978 the Mental As Anything Play At Your Party EP was released. It was the band’s first recording and it was a sound of pure fun: catchy, quirky, and joyful. It captured the essence of a band that since its formation has never swayed from the path and continues to entertain crowds all over Australia and the world.
From The Nips Are Getting Bigger, Come Around, If You Leave Me, Can I Come Too and Too Many Times, through to Live It Up, You’re So Strong and Let’s Cook, these are the songs that are a soundtrack to Australia. Brilliantly crafted pop hits that evoke wonderful memories. Their 25 Top 40 charting songs were for a long time a record for an Australian band and are a wonderful illustration of the depth of their catalogue and their song-writing ability.
Now, the 40th anniversary of that EP is being celebrated by the rerelease of the original vinyl and a live multitrack multi-camera recording of Mental As Anything’s 2018 full live show.
Formed at art school in 1976, by the time the Mental As Anything Play At Your Party EP was realised in 1978, the classic line-up had formed: Martin Plaza (vocals/guitar), Greedy Smith (vocals/keyboard/ harmonica), Reg Mombassa (vocals/guitar), Peter O’Doherty (bass/vocals/guitar), David Twohill (drums).
The present line-up of the band is led by Greedy together with ex-Atlantics guitarist Martin Cilia, drummer Jacob Cook, guitarist/vocalist Craig Gordon and bassist/vocalist Peter Gray. Greedy is keen to show off this latest version of the Mentals to display their reverence for the original recordings and turning out fine new original material.
YATES
Singer/songwriter Benjamin Jacob Yates, better known as YATES, continues to offer his own distinct pop music, one that is both evocative and deliberate. YATES explores what it means to come from being a bedroom musician from Griffith, New South Wales, Australia, to a full-time solo artist in Berlin, Germany.
“As a kid I dreamt of representing my country at the Olympics; I got as far as representing Australia in Japan at the 2005 Junior Triathlon World Championships where I raced professionally in China and throughout Europe. I extended my stay back in 2008 during my second season in Germany and that’s how I got wrapped up into doing music all of these years. I made the move to Berlin at the end of 2014 to start focusing on this solo project.”
YATES began turning heads in 2014 with a number of self-released tracks which showcased a diversity of genres, live instrumentation, electronic elements and most importantly, his radiantly soothing vocals. This introduction gained radio support from leading tastemakers KCRW(USA)and Triple J(Australia)and lead to collaborations with Booka Shade, Monkey Safari, Nina Jirachi, Kilter, Love Thy Brother, Running Touch, and Plastic Plates. YATES has since signed with the reputable Australian Indie label Sweat it Out.
YATES has recently released his new record ‘Holiday Apartment’ and will be returning to his hometown of Griffith to play and support A day in the Orchard.
Zac Robertson Band
Melbourne based guitarist/songwriter Zac Robertson explores neo soul, giving the audience no chance to resist the groove. After 4 years of living in Melbourne Zac has found his sound inspired by the London soul scene. Currently working on his debut album, Zac has featured the likes of JAYDEAN, KODA, Ash Kennedy, Will Clift and many more.
Born and raised in Griffith, NSW. Zac Robertson moved to Melbourne to study music at the Australian Institute of Music. The guitarist / songwriter explores neo soul, giving the audience no chance to resist the groove.
After four years living in Melbourne, Zac has found his sound inspired by artists Jordan Rakei and Tom Misch. With the help of Melbourne vocalist JAYDEAN and KÖDA, the smooth melodies will be sure to keep you entertained.
Zac is making a name for himself in the Melbourne music scene and plays in various bands. He has been featured on Triple J’s national radio program Unearthed.
The Echoes
A local reunion band from the 60’s, The Echoes hadn’t played together in 50 years. A star line up of well know local personalities and musicians, The Echoes will once again get together to please the crowd and take them back to the 60’s, a time when The Echoes were kings.
AKIB
AKIB (A King is Born) is a multi-genre musical project featuring Aduny Takele, 19. Originally from Ethiopia, AKIB moved to Griffith when he was 7. AKIB is an aspiring hip hop artists who at a young age has already featured among some of the leading hip hop artists in Australia. AKIB has supported REMI (Melbourne) and Joeslistics (Melbourne) in live shows, wowing crowds with his smooth bars.
AKIB blends hip-hop, funk and rock with Aduny’s youthful spirit and powerful voice giving a performance of strong verse coupled with a catchy and moving chorus.
