Welcome

Matt Corby

Matt Corby

Phenomenal. Angelic. A Musical Maverick. Matt Corby commands your attention.

Routinely selling-out shows and running tracks up the Hottest 100 flagpole (including ARIA-winners "Resolution" and the galling "Brother") – Matt Corby retreated from the limelight after his mega hits to Figure It All Out.

Enter Telluric: the long-awaited debut album of the One and Only, and we’re aching and itching to get this under your skin, live and heard the way it should be.

The funk-inflected soul bounce of "Knife Edge"– with its expansive vocal part, natty drums, and richly-textured guitar tones – weds the Timeless and the Timely, and Corby can't be accused of recycling when it comes to lead single "Monday" – which is all but a capella. Second single  is exactly the kind of haute Sixties futurist style-piece we crave.

Hands up high, eyes to the stage. Matt Corby accepting our invitation to MMVAF16 is a Phenomenon that will create some serious Missing Out vibes should you, indeed, miss out. 

 

Peking Duk

Peking Duk

Spark up an electro fuse with a twist of house, blend with a galvanizing slowed down beat, and Peking Duk is served. Adam and Reuben are all set to bring their indie electronica to the Ampi with their electrifying live set including award-winning hits High, Take Me Over and their latest release Say My Name. 

Two singles in the Top 5 of the Hottest 100 (an amazing feat for their first entry into the countdown), a sold out national tour, a Rolling Stone Award for Best Video, and their SAFIA collab with ‘Take Me Over’ reaching double platinum sales, what’s left for these ARIA award winning megastars? Just enough time in their schedule to play the likes of Coachella, Lollapalooza and Squamish, while working on an album due to be released this year (in between playing a Vietnamese castle with Client Liaison). A festival highlight for many, all work, all play. Peking Duk are doing it the right way.

Too delectable to not lick your fingers, stay up late and get Sweaty. 

 

Allday

Allday

 

An art school drop out who left to devote himself full time to creating his melodic and pop-y hip hop jams, Allday’s stock is skyrocketing.

Breaking into the US hip hop scene with the backing of a prominent US label, those in the know Know, with no doubt, that he’s leading a new era in Aus Hip Hop.

Allday’s breakout multiple mixtapes, his entry in to the Hottest 100 with - we have to say it sounds like the soundtrack to an afternoon at MMVAF.

The release of his subsequent debut album Startup Cult saw two huge singles, ” and  again make the cut in the Hottest 100, paving the way for sold out National Tours, supports for Lily Allen and huge festival spots.

We’re pumped to have Allday’s brand of smooth production and thoughtful rhymes wash over us, and get our own taste of the internationally hyped mixtape Soft Grunge Love Rap. Our favourite procrastinator (see: “I Should Be Working On My Album But I’m Doing A Tour” Tour), just as sick with his , we can’t wait to have him all to ourselves September 10. 

Allday’s cult is spreading far. Catch him in the Sweet Spot.

George Maple

George Maple

Thought-provoking songwriting, hypnotic stage presence, George Maple is our kind of a girl. For one, the Aussie-born, London-based artist specialises in a fluid, finely tuned blend of between-the-sheets R&B and downtempo dance grooves. 

For another, when Noisey asked her to reflect on the recurring themes in her songs, she responded, “Sex, I guess,” before astutely adding: “It drives us to do the most absurd things. It's intertwined with so many parts of our life without us even realising it: power, money, relationships, love, lust, desire, sin, safety, vulnerability.” 

As a live performer, Maple has sold out shows across Australia, in L.A. and in London, appeared at Coachella, Lollapalooza, and The Warehouse Project, and performed alongside the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and our true-loves: Flight Facilities. George Maple’s captivating performances feature her breathtaking voice accompanied by live electronics, moving from ecstatic, energetic highs, soul shaking bass and moments of honest raw intimacy.Yeow.

With singles “ and  - her monster collaboration with What So Not - her writing and production credits also include artists like Hayden James, , , , and Tkay Maidza, racking up over 70 million Soundcloud plays across the board.

Rocking gold on her knuckles like a baller, George Maple sits comfortably well after dark, a sultry figure to greet you in the pink shade of the Ampi string lights. Get grimey. 

 

Client Liaison

Client Liaison

Masters of infectious turn-of-the-90s synth pop, informed by the production values of late 80s music television, Harvey Miller and Monte Morgan will be bringing in the good vibes for an absolute party starter.

Client Liaison’s sound plays out like a long lunch followed by a round of cocktails. Describing their sonic palate as ‘dance electric’, ‘new jack swing’ and ‘pop ballad’, this multisensory experience will feed any listeners’ appetite.

Current single “World of our Love” has an unescapable groove, you will know it when you hear it.  Shoulder rolls...

International in flavour, cosmopolitan in style – put it on the company card. Too much is never enough. Think nothing. Feel everything. Pleasure is good. Fantasy is truth.

Experience Client Liaison.

 

City Calm Down

City Calm Down

A Slow Burn Success Story that delivers and delivers with each glorious slice of City Calm Down.

It seems an age since hearing “Pleasure and Consequence” for the first spin.  The early releases to follow forshadowed big things from the Melbourne four-piece and the release of In a Restless House has certainly packed a punch.  

After "Movements”, “Pavement” and “Speak to No End” the band found progress in good old fashioned band-led jam production.  What they've come up with is one of the most complete album’s of 2015. 

With a string of single’s that continue to come it’s a record that’s rich in textural, full sound.  With strong elements of post-punk and new-wave tethered to one of the most recogniseable drama-inducing baritones around, City Calm Down will not disappoint.

Japanese Wallpaper

Japanese Wallpaper

When Gab Strum started Japanese Wallpaper at 13, he never expected to have played the main stage at Falls Festival, delighted crowds at Splendour in the Grass, attracted the admiration of luminaries like Lorde and Gotye, and appeared in cinema soundtracks before he'd even finished high school.

Strum began picking up national and then international attention with his first single 'Breathe In', recorded with good friend Wafia. With Strum providing the arrangements and Wafia on lyrics and vocals, what resulted was breathtaking.

The sparkling production combining bright, spacious melodies with a sparse but rumbling beat, and Wafia's ethereal singing, made 'Breathe In' impossible to resist.

”Between Friends” - a rejection fantasy - followed with upcoming crooner Jesse Davidson. It takes the immortal hook from the Spice Girls' 'Wannabe' and flips it into a kiss off: "If you wanna be my friend / Stop tryin' to be my lover".  You’ve heard it.

Japanese Wallpaper has followed up his stellar self-titled EP with new single “Cocoon” and although being a self-professed collaborator, he has delivered on the new track and vocal.

Big Future for this guy, we think he fits the Ampi just right for an MMVAF afternoon.

Ngaiire

Ngaiire

Rhymes with Diary. 

Boho-R’n’B- weirdo-dilettante, holding the universe in the palm of her hands.

Without doubt Ngaiire is one of Australia’s most unique, eclectic and fearless artists, as evidenced by her electric shows,  and outrageous costumes.

The PNG-born songstress is another fantastic rep from the neo/future soul talent bank of Melbourne. Releasing Lamentations in 2013 lead to her first ever slot at Glastonbury, and shows with the likes of Alicia Keys and John Legend. 

She has tried her hand at writing music for dance companies, creating crazy sound installations for David Walsh’s MONA FOMA, collaborating with fashion designers and fostering friendships with Blue King Brown and the electro- music don Paul Mac (‘scuse the name dropping), however the new record Blastoma will be her biggest statement to date.

The first single  released in July received a rapturous response and catapulted her onto the festival circuit. “Diggin” hit our souls early this year, a heady groove that’s got us all eagerly awaiting what comes next.

This talented young woman certainly has a lot to say through multiple disciplines, mediums and muses.

Great afternoon vibes, I predict Euphoric Moments will be had.

 

Bad//Dreems

Bad//Dreems

The Adelaide 4 piece BAD//DREEMS are cut from some serious Australian Rock Cloth. 

It’s heart on your sleeve, honest, driving rock and roll and it will be the wakeup call of the afternoon.

The debut LP “Dogs at Bay” was recorded with iconic producers Mark Opitz (AC/DC, The Angels, INXS, Cold Chisel) and Colin Wynne and it features the breakthrough slew of singles “Dumb Ideas”, “Cuffed and Collared” and “Hiding to Nothing”. 

Is fantastic unpretentious song-writing centred on the band’s complicated relationship with their hometown of Adelaide.

“At its best it is an idyllic town, with a temperate climate and beautiful surrounds.  At its worst it is stiflingly conservative, inward looking and somewhat bereft of culture.  The record is about growing upand living in Adelaide, as well as leaving and returning there.  There’s nothing parochial about this though.  It’s just what we know.  I think the experiences are probably common to everyone who has a hometown”.

Great live act, straight-up raw energy, one of the most exciting guitar acts in the country.

 

Vera Blue

Vera Blue

It takes a bit to tingle our spines, and we make sure that every act on our stages does just that. No room for error here, given our no-clash, you-have-my-full-attention mantra.

Enter Vera Blue. Crystallic, an ethereal presence, her ballads tap-dance up our spines like jumping into a pool with all your clothes on - exhilarating. 

Cutting her teeth as a folk artist in the small town of Forbes before adopting Sydney, Vera Blue found her feet as an electronic siren and guitarist. 

Vera Blue combines a lush and sultry electronica style through her commanding vocals that are both gentle and at times ferocious; combined she a force not to be reckoned with.

In addition to her own sold out national headline tour, this young rising artist has also supported Matt Corby on his Telluric tour and will support BROODS on their forthcoming Australian tour. 

“I’ve always wanted to create something special that’s a blend of folk and cool, heavy thick sounds,” she says. “This is the music I have wanted to make and I feel like I’m unleashing.” 

The live vocal performance of Hold floored Triple J enthusiasts, a performance that amazingly surpassed the recorded version (is that ever possible?). Bring on the chills.

Holding her own with her latest single , go ahead and put the name, the sound and the hype to the face of one of the most promising and heavily touted new talents in Australia. Get in early for this one. 

Pop Cult

Pop Cult

Queensland rockers Pop Cult have earned a reputation for crafting stomping sing-alongs in the same vein as Primal Scream and The Dandy Warhols. 

The local DIY heroes are brothers Timothy and Elliot Heinrich, Callum Voller and Jordan Adkins.

Elliot is producer to not only their sunny, psyche-pop jams but has also produced for Ayla, Battleships and Tempest.

Tim and Jordan have the band’s visuals under wrap with the and Artwork produced respectively, and Voller’s stage name is John Cutesack, which I guess is self-explanatory.

In less than six months they’ve been on rotation at Triple J, toured the east-coast of Australia, nabbed a slot at Bigsound, supported Loon Lake, The Cairos and even won the approval of Mac Demarco’s mum Agnes. 

The self-produced feel-good gospel jam “Feels Right” with accompanying self-made video is seriously good. Immediate sonic comparisons to Primal Scream and The Dandy Warhols are inevitable; this stuff is way up our alley.

What a great way to begin the Proceedings.

 

Amanda Parer

Amanda Parer

FANTASTIC PLANET

Last year we had the pleasure of welcoming five giant illuminated bunnies much to your delight, the first-timers of Maroochy. I am so excited that Amanda has accepted our invitation to join us again at MMVAF16 with a specially co-commissioned light installation: Fantastic Planet.

For the first time ever internationally, in its entirety, this larger-than-life artwork will be exhibited in our Vis Art Park this September 10 before orbiting around the world to land with our friends somewhere between fantasy and reality at Signal Festival. Fantastic Planet indeed.

A total of five humanoids in various formations of inquisitivity will be peering down at all your crazy wonder and frivolous antics (what a sight we must be!). Don't be afraid; let your curiosity prevail. Like all manner of creatures who witness our time here on this Wonderous Rock hurtling through the universe, these peaceful humanoids are here to observe you in your natural state: carefree and in tune in The Ampi. 

 

Mic Black

Mic Black

THE WONDER GAMES

Mic Black is an experimental creative technologist exploring mass participation through art and technology using creative lighting and Absurd Interactivity. We’re hooked. 

The Wonder Games brings you, human, into the retro arcade games we all know and love. Double whammy. 

Compete in the Vis Art Park. 

 

Bertie Blackman

Bertie Blackman

MICANAUT

We're delighted Bertie is back showcasing her work on none other then the Ampi stage, front and centre. Get up close to MICANAUT. 

Gus

Gus

From small compositions to massive contemporary murals, Australian-based artist Gus goes beyond creative boundaries to bring you a special live street art installation for MMVAF16. 

Over the years Gus has exhibited nationwide and abroad, receiving accolades in the form of art awards and steadily producing commissioned works for private clients including Brisbane City Council and Queensland Rail.

Gus is particularly interested in the diversity and intrigue of people, for which I am sure MMVAF provides the perfect setting to explore you fantastical beings. By focussing on developing relatable concepts, Gus continually challenges audiences’ perceptions of themselves.

That’s all we can say, so for now we’ll let Gus do what he does best. Stay Tuned. 

 

Zoe Porter

Zoe Porter

Creating images of otherworldly beings and environments that exist somewhere between reality and the dream world, how could we pass up the opportunity to exhibit Zoe's street art installation at MMVAF 2016?

Zoe is an interdisciplinary artist exploring primarily a drawing practice, which also extends into painting, street art, installation, performance, sculpture, site-specific works and video. With recent solo exhibitions in Melbourne (Strange Neighbour) and Brisbane (the Brisbane Powerhouse) as well as exhibiting regularly across Australia and overseas, Zoe brings to life creatures in their displaced, mutant forms that are often a combination of part-animal, part-plant and part-human features. We can't wait!

 

Gimiks Born

Gimiks Born

Beautiful, sinister, bold, call it what you will, Gimiks Born pieces are a narrative carved out of a storybook and brought to life with tangible art.

His pieces leave a sense of anticipation, "what's going to happen next?”  It’s literally like looking at the page of a graphic novel, scaled to the size of a building.  His work often features animals, escaped from an enchanted, mystical forest.  Animals that are somehow spiritually connected to humans and the earth (where ever that might be). 

Inspired by comics, graphic novels, anime and video games, this father of two was born a humble artistic Jedi.  He has painted murals in Australia (where he is currently based), internationally and he has collaborated with some of world's best street artists.

 

Thom Stuart

Thom Stuart

Thom Stuart is a Sunshine Coast-based painter and printmaker, whose work draws heavily on the artist’s experience surrounded by both natural and urban environments.

With an established practice in both the studio and street, his work is entrenched in the visuals of his youth, including graffiti culture, surfing iconography and musical sub cultures such punk and hip-hop.

Whether large or small, Thom’s work always aims to bring a joyful mash-up of colour and form of visual delight. Perfect for the festival green. 

Ochid

Ochid

Ochid is an Australian-based designer, originally from Swatow in China. Inspired by graffiti culture of over a decade, his work spans from large scale street art to smaller installation projects and exhibitions in Asia. With his background as an exhibition designer and landscape architect, he uses colour and shape as a cross-cultural language to play with our relationship with space and what defines it.

In his own words: "Street art is a powerful and direct way to visualise my thinking, just like Bruce Lee’s ‘Jeet Kune Do’."

Wintercroft

Wintercroft

There's something poetic in the marrying of creator and creation. And these Beautiful Masks, Made By You, are the perfect opportunity for you to become part of the MMVAF open-air exhibition. 

This year, we’re giving away a coveted Golden Ticket to the luckiest and craftiest mask wearer at the festival, judged by the Almighty himself – Mr Wintercroft of the Isle of Great Britain. 

On September 10, tag us in your Wintercroft mask with @mmvafestival and #MaroochyGoldenTicket, and let the Best Mask stand out! Remember: dress to impress, this is the Maker himself we’re talking about here, judging you from up above (the Equator). 

Wayne McFetridge

Wayne McFetridge

DISK WORLD

When rock and roll dreams faded in the early 2000’s Wayne focused on his day job as a web programmer, which morphed into being the director of a successful creative agency based on the Sunshine Coast. He tells us agency life is exciting but the desire to create for the pure joy of expression still runs deep. Peaking his interest, we’ve asked him to use his skills and experience as a programmer to turn the unreal into the real through generative art. Inspired by the likes of Sergio Albiac and Eno Henze, Disk World, a digital installation, will premiere at MMVAF16 in the Vis Art Park. 

Alex Lahey

Alex Lahey

Alex Lahey is on a roll. 
 
An impressive, mature and full-sounding EP follows a raving-review performance as a Triple J Unearthed artist opening the 2016 Splendour in the Grass main stage. 
 
First single out of the boot was last year’s "Air Mail", introducing the airwaves to the Melbourne-based singer-songwriter’s knack for melodic, guitar-driven hooks and honest lyricism so often sought but so hardly acquired. 
 
Most recently Alex set the music industry abuzz with the insanely catchy "You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me". From the attention-grabbing opening bars (those drums sound like an angry landlord thumping your front door on a Sunday morning), it flips the classic break-up line “it’s not you, it’s me” on its head.  It was immediately added to rotation on Triple J, Triple J Unearthed, Syn FM and FBi FM, and started popping up on music blogs everywhere.
 
“Lets Go Out” is personality packed, infectious jam, embracing a simple, home-spun story-telling style that’s often underlined by her second love, the fuzz pedal.
 
Along with her new three-piece band and producer Oscar Dawson (Holy Holy, Ali Barter), Alex's recently released debut EP B-Grade University is currently on everyone's lips. 
 
Closing the Champagne and Oyster Garden.

Alice Ivy

Alice Ivy

Raised on the Victorian surf coast, the daughter of German migrants, Annika Schmarsel aka Alice Ivy, recalls a childhood coloured by extensive travel in a vibrant and multilingual household. Her first foray into music, an ill-fated tryst with the clarinet, was swapped for guitar before Annika began beat-making inspired by the likes of The Avalanches, J Dilla and Bonobo. 

As member of all-female soul outfit Sweethearts, in her late teens Annika twice toured Europe performing at the Poretta Soul Festival, Italy and Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland alongside luminaries of the genre ranging Al Green through Mark Ronson.

In the mere twelve months since founding electro-soul project Alice Ivy, she’s released a slew of singles, earned support slots for Banoffee and Remi and completed a UK and European tour.

‘Touch’, the first single from her forthcoming debut album is a sophisticated arrangement that conjures a “Through The Looking-Glass”-esque dreamscape, layering original field recordings from the streets of Melbourne with warm guitar lines, sampled strings, brass and a manipulated feature vocal from London-based blues singer Georgia Van Etten. Getting some serious air-time with her latest single 'Almost Here' (ft. RaRa) - we predict big things for Alice Ivy. 

Let the champagne flow, and welcome Alice Ivy into the Dream.

BATZ

BATZ

Deep within Melbourne’s inner Northern suburbs, BATZ was born consisting of vocalist Christina Aubry, bassist Dali Platt, guitars Jakob Kagan & Jim Stirton and drums Joshua Aubry. The five piece found themselves gathered around a table drinking whisky and wine and decided the time was right to create music for those who love the after hours, and we certainly do. 

BATZ songs are a unique mix of driving drums and bass, thrashy guitars and ethereal, melodic vocals. Their sound ranges from sweet love ballads such as ‘Follow Me’ to surfy, post-punk head-bangers ‘Take It’ & ‘Sid & Nancy’. Drawing sounds reminiscent of Blondie, Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, and The Divinyls one can expect a live show with a lot of sassy grit behind it. 

The Francis Wolves

The Francis Wolves

The Francis Wolves are an 8-piece instrumental funk juggernaut from Brisbane, Australia. It’s true, The FW's aren't your typical suit wearing funk band: their style is a melting pot of genres, delivered via an ‘all in’ fuzzed out wall-of-sound. Ferocious horns and a brooding rhythm section, matched by ominous organ and infectious congas, will transport you to a Sergio Leone film set by way of the dance floors of Africa.

The Francis Wolves’ debut album graciously tips its hat to The Budos Band, Fela Kuti, The Stooges, Dick Dale and even The B-52’s. Producer Donovan Miller (FOREVR/No Anchor) captured the raw sounds of The FW’s in the studio, producing 33 tight minutes of grimey, sweat-inducing grooves that will leave you loose and wanting more.

After selling out of their first release, a double A-side 7inch single and playing a smattering of shows in QLD’s South-East, The Francis Wolves’ debut album is destined to leave in it’s wake a spate of melted faces and new fans. Our palms are sweaty...

Inigo

Inigo

Meet MMVAF15 Alumni Erin Fitzsimon aka Inigo: our neo-soul meets alternative-poppin' songstress. So good in the C&O Garden, we just had to invite her back. 

She mixes killer rhythms with catchy pop hooks and soulful vocals to create a unique sound that draws upon a variety of genres. Since launching the debut EP Souls to a sold out crowd in 2015, Inigo has been bringing danceable sets to Soulfest, Valley Fiesta and Brisbane Festival in addition to a joining a tonne of local and national bills. 

Inigo has hit the ground running in 2016, having already played at bunch of shows including a set at Bleach* Festival, a month-long residency at the Woolly Mammoth and featuring on the Brisbabes #3 line up. Fitzsimon was also a People’s Choice finalist for ‘Most Promising Female Songwriter' at the 2016 QMAs, as well as receiving a nomination for “Constant Beat” in the Urban category. Shake your tailfeathers. 

Mark Lowndes

Mark Lowndes

If Jack Johnson and Stevie Wonder had a lovechild his name would be Mark Lowndes. With his fusion of pop, reggae and soul, this singer songwriter packs an undeniable punch in his live shows. With his honest performances, well thought out lyrics and catchy melodies, he'll leave you wanting more.

From supporting the likes of Boys to Men and Brian McKnight to a finalist on 2012’s Australia’s Got Talent, Mark has had a huge amount of experience and success in his career to date. While being long considered a phenomenal live performer, Mark has also released 3 EP’s, performed at various local and international festivals while steadily continuing to reach into different pockets of the world with his indelible style of sound. For those lucky enough to have seen Mr Lowndes live will know that the mixture of his slam poetry, songs, a dash of rap and his humility amongst his unique rhythmic guitar playing, leaves his eclectic approach to music in a world of his own. 

FOREVR

FOREVR

Brisbane favourites FOREVR combine their love of real shoegaze with electronics to produce lush, loud, beautiful noise larger than the sum of its parts. 

April 2015 saw the release of their debut EP ‘DEMONSTRATION’, a live four-track soundscape which was featured in NME magazine, followed by their love letter to dance music, the two-track ‘Shoegazer’ 7”. 

Their music builds on the foundations of 80s-era Creation Records artists with towers of glistening electronica. Donovan Miller’s underwater guitar and Sam George-Allen’s smoke-wisp voice thread ribbons through a scaffold of arpeggiator, pulsing bass and rapid-fire digidrums – it’s been described as sounding like “rose gold sunsets over neon skylines”. With the addition of Kate Mackenzie and Thomas Roche on bass and drums, the new four-piece have just completed tracking for their self-produced debut album, due out later this year. 

Drooool-worthy music surrounded by pink lights, glistening lake and champagne, FOREVR and the Garden were made for each other.

Christian Patey

Christian Patey

The euphoric sights and sounds associated with the Australian Sunshine Coast could easily be likened to the dreamily soulful music produced by one of its most captivating young artists, Christian Patey.

Christian Patey, straying from his folk roots, has joined forces with electronic producers from across the world to create a new, effortlessly cool sound for himself. His use of electric guitar, synths and big drums takes the listener on an uplifting and chilled-out ride. So far, big collaborations include UK beat-maker Alabaster, well known Brisbane lads Yes You and most recently the renowned Jimmy2Sox (of Flight Facilities). With more collabs in the pipeline, 2016 is shaping up to be a big year for Patey, and we're stoked to join him for some champagne in the Garden on the 10th. 

Juju Bom

Juju Bom

A black cockatoo flying into a glitter storm...

Juju Bom blends intricate lyrics about natural phenomena and metaphysical mysteries into grounded realities.  Front woman Jeunae Rogers phrases and crafts melody with sophisticated sincerity in a timeless kind of feeling and nostalgia. She writes with an honesty and vulnerability that is both tender, harrowing and fierce. In collaboration with some fine musicians from other genre bending bands in Brisbane,  Juju Bom blends electronic drums, bass, keys/synth, veil piercing harmonies, feather-fingered guitar and a unique vocal honesty.  Juju Bom is a Vanguard of Soul.

*Winner of the 2016 MMVAF x Solbar Open Mic Night*

Chris Flaskas

Chris Flaskas

Sunshine Coast multi-instrumentalist sensation Chris Flaskas is an act not to be missed.

His uplifting original style of music, which he calls ‘Earth Rock’, has projected his name and alternate act abroad for his unique talents and captivating live performance. Chris Flaskas employs an array of traditional native instruments to create his unique sound, including the native Australian didgeridoo and the Hawaiian-style lap steel slide.

Chris’s live performances show his diversity as a unique original Australian artist and has been classed as powerful, motivating, energetic with a touch of tribal spirit.

Inspired by the likes of John Butler Trio and Xavier Rudd, Chris Flaskas recently released his latest EP ‘When The Gold Is Gone’, which has received positive reviews from fans and media including airplay on Triple J’s Roots ‘N All. The track also took home the award for ‘Best Alternative Rock/ Folk Song’ at the 2015 Akademia Music Awards.

 

Sommer Rd

Sommer Rd

Maroochydore’s own, Sommer Rd is fronted by powerhouse vocalist/percussionist Hollie Morris, with groover Sheldon Morris on guitar/vocals and bassist Jay Kovacs. Sommer Rd kicked off in 2015, born from a musical family where siblings Hollie and Sheldon were brought up with deep-seeded jazz, blues and folk influences. Playing unique covers and original music they were searching to evolve their sound when Jay Kovacs was introduced into Sommer Rd. With the new bass slapping and funk loving grooves, the group were able to unleash their sound. through our favourites "Be Free", "Tunnel Vision" and "Procrastinate" just to name a few. 

With influences such as Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Jamiroquai, Aretha Franklin and Marcus Miller, the band have a sound of smooth jazz, inspired soul with a pleasant kick of funk. With an EP due for release later this year, start your day with Sommer Rd and see what all the fuss is about.

*Winner of the 2016 MMVAF x Solbar Open Mic Night*

DJ Total Eclipse

DJ Total Eclipse

X-Ecutioners / Ill Insanity / ITF World Champ

DJ Total Eclipse of the world famous X-Ecutioners DJ collective from New York is a man of many talents, as comfortable throwing down a mind blowing routine in his guise as one of the world’s best turntablists as he is rocking a crowd of thousands in party mode…

Coming out of a close-knit Brooklyn community, his skills on the turntables earned him the reputation that led to manning the turntables for such groups as underground Hip-Hop legends Organized Konfusion (Prince Poetry and Pharoahe Monch) and working with fellow Brooklyn native Jay-Z during the birth of ROCAFELLA RECORDS, before both their careers reached commercial success.

Dominating the DJ battle scene in the US, he entered and won one of the most prestigious titles in the DJ world, the International Turntablist Federation (ITF) world championship battle. After joining the X-Ecutioners and honing his skills as a Beat Juggler, releasing a majorly successful album "Built From Scratch", and touring with the likes of Linkin Park and Eminem, Total Eclipse continues to rock Hip-Hop heads with amazing showcase routines. The Ghetto Blaster welcomes him with open arms. 

Tom Tilley (Triple J)

Tom Tilley (Triple J)

Known first and foremost as journalist and presenter of triple j’s Hack program and also as bass player for 80s Australiana influenced synth-pop act, Client Liaison, Tom Tilley is further putting his musical talents to use in the form of disco and house banger-filled DJ Sets.

Tom was plucked from the depths of the ABC’s newsroom and immediately sent on a mission: To be triple j’s man on the ground… everywhere. From feral pig infested wetlands to tree houses in Tassie forests to the halls of power in Canberra – he’s been there. Tom’s latest expedition could be his most testing of all – behind the DJ decks! Is the Blaster ready for him? 

Danny Cool

Danny Cool

Danny Cool started DJing in Melbourne during the late 90s and grew up in the city’s bar, club and music scene. He comes from a hip-hop / turntablist background and loves to please crowds with soulful gems from genres, old and new. In 2008 Brisbane became his hometown and he has since resided at many of the city’s finest venues. 
 
Danny Cool has also performed at major music events such as Stereosonic, The Harvest Festival, Falls Festival and Future Music festivals. He has the experience of supporting world famous acts like Salt and Peppa, Carl Cox and De La Soul in club environments. He's a treat on the green and we're lucky to have him!

Gavin Boyd

Gavin Boyd

Starting out on 4ZZZ Brisbane, he began his career at a time where vinyl was still the primary format for DJ's and finding new music meant weekly, sometimes daily visits to the local record store.

While constantly digging in the crates, Gavin relentlessly developed his turntablist skills, becoming the 2003 Queensland ITF Champion. Gavin has opened shows for some of the most influential and respected names in the music industry (including DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Mos Def, Dwele, Jill Scott, Questlove, Robert Glasper, Dâm Funk, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, Julio Bashmore), and will bring his renowned passion for soulful music to MMVAF's Ghetto Blaster. 

Lachness

Lachness

An emergent artist, Lachness laid his foundations firmly in the DJ scene from Big Day Out, Elsewhere and regularly filling dance floors with a residency at club TBC.  He'll warm you up and keep the ball rolling with an analytical approach to mixing you'll feel in your bones. Lachness is certainly rising from the deep. 

 

We Out Here DJs

We Out Here DJs

Over the last 12 months ‘We Out Here’ has been a household name on the northern tip of the Sunshine Coast. Not only do they host events with some of Australia’s biggest dance acts, the team are also known to get you moving when they're behind the decks. With a DJ set showcasing groovy bass lines, timeless percussion and the finer elements of tech house, be sure to catch We Out Here DJs front, centre and well after dark. 

Alex Millington

Alex Millington

In his own words:

Absolute maddog
Loves a bloody good time 
Lays out proper hoe downs when behind the wheels 
Well prepped for a good time at MMVAF
Currently touring Europe 
Big name

We couldn't say it better ourselves!

Jawgoh

Jawgoh

DJ come producer from the Sunshine Coast, Jawgoh is a Brisbane-bound boomerang come weekends, holding numerous residencies in both locations. Instead of pigeon-holing himself to one particular sound, he's made it his objective to have a diverse and timeless musical scope. Equipped for any time and any place, it was not long before he found himself on the support role for some of the world’s best artists both at home and abroad. The magic must be seen to be believed; you won't want to miss it. 

 

DJ Bacon

DJ Bacon

DJ Bacon is a bit of an enigma. We know this: His most recent release "Run-BST Megamix" has been loved and supported by the likes of Run-DMC, Q-Bert, Beat Junkies, Terminator X, Beastie Boys, Ego Trip, Okayplayer & more. The mystery is enough - don't miss this set, or you'll miss being blown away...

DJ Shift-T

DJ Shift-T

DJ Shift-T hails from the Sunshine Coast, and has been cutting and scratching on two turntables for over 20 years. He's renowned for blowing up dance floors with his old school hip hop DJ sets, but also lays down anything from Dub to Disco, Jazz to Funk, and all that dope breakbeat in between.

Mr Walker

Mr Walker

A never-ending quest for lost and found sounds has seen Mr Walker throwing down wax for dancefloors since flares were in fashion (when they ‘came back’ again, in the late 1990s).

Whether it’s a sweaty club, a stage in the forest, on community radio, your mate’s loose house party or your aunt’s wedding, he always brings a bag of bum-wobbling oddities to span the spectrum. Sounds kinky but it really isn’t.

Expect a genre-hopping kaleidoscope of sounds to get you wonky and weird.

 

Jing Kohn

Jing Kohn

Jing Kohn started out with a bang, winning back-to-back state DJ hip hop battle titles in the late 90s. After performing with Gravity Warriors breaking troupe, Jing Kohn supported such acts as the Hilltop Hoods, Resin Dogs and Grandmaster Flash in the early 00s. Moving into bar and club work he's played all over SEQ, from underground hip hop to killer party sets to high profile corporate events and more recently the highly successful sold out Old School Hip Hop parties at Sol Bar. Currently one of the elite residents at Rumpus Room in West End, he's taking a weekend off to party on the Sunny Coast this year with a bunch of his DJ mates at MMVAF. What a blast! 

Beverly Thrills

Beverly Thrills

Beverly Thrills has been a musican all her life. For decades she would dispatch mixed tapes and CDs that captured an eclectic marrying of genres and titles and, years later, that practice morphed into a full-fledged producer role. She mashes songs with programs, loop pedals with beautiful melodies, and draws on her two strongest attributes: power vocals and the ability to get anyone on the dance floor. Her sets cultivate funk, soul, disco and hip hop.