A brand-new Sydney Hotshots show is locked and loaded, and you are invited! Two hours of non-stop action-packed entertainment from some of the sexiest guys direct from Sydney! The ultimate lady’s night out, complete with high-powered dance routines, spectacular lighting, and fabulous costumes. This show will have you blushing, laughing, and screaming all night long! Leave your worries at the door and have some fun with the Sydney Hotshots!

The young virtuoso recently described as “the finest guitar player of this generation” has been selling out shows all over the globe and will be bringing his dynamite live show back home audiences this Spring! 

BIOGRAPHY

Growing up in the Bega Valley on the Far South Coast of New South Wales, Australia the story goes that the young singer-songwriter and one of a kind guitar virtuoso first picked up his instrument of choice as a 5-year-old following in the footsteps of a musical father. He began writing songs at 12, training classically throughout his teens and performing wherever he could, honing his craft and developing the dynamic live show that he is renowned for today. At 18 he finished school, turned professional and hit the road without looking back.

The following 15 years have seen him independently release 7 studio albums, tour relentlessly around the globe, play some of the biggest festivals under the sun and share stages with the likes of Tommy Emmanuel, INXS, John Butler, Lucinda Williams, Ani DiFranco, Judy Collins and Rodrigo y Gabriela.

He has been described as “the finest guitar player of this generation”, “a leading light in acoustic music” and “a performer that must be seen to be believed” and through October and November he will be touring back home in Australia where it all began! 

WHAT THE PRESS SAY..

“The word Prodigy seems to entirely fall short of this soft-spoken young man’s skills, he coaxes sounds and melodies out of his instrument that literally drop jaws.” The Calgary Herald, CANADA

“Today I saw the future of Folk – Festival goers flocking in the thousands towards the main stage to witness a young musical phenomenon from Australia dish out an absolute show-stopper.” The Firefly Column, USA

“Daniel Champagne is a crossroads. Fusing the strong traditions of Blues, Folk and other roots art with pop showmanship and admirable lyrical ability. I firmly believe that he will become an ambassador for roots music in a time where it desperately needs representation.” The Indie Blender, CANADA

“reinventing roots guitar” Rhythms Magazine, AUSTRALIA

“Watching Daniel Champagne perform is a once in a lifetime experience. He is a true prodigy that plays like no one else could possibly play unless they spent at least two lifetimes studying the art.” BW Review, NEW ZEALAND

“Daniel Champagne exudes a natural ease on stage, as he sings poignant lyrics and beautifully crafted melodies that invariably whisk the heart up with grand romanticism. Coupled with an exhilarating guitar talent that transcends mere acoustic playing to replicate a whole band, Champagne is just magical” Themusic.com.au, AUSTRALIA

"You feel as if he just invented the instrument yesterday and was discovering its possibilities afresh” Ted Gioia (American jazz critic and music historian)

Owen Campbell is one of Australia’s premier alternative blues/rock exports with 3 best-selling studio albums, 2 EPs, and over 12 years of national and international touring.

Owen has built a successful career as a touring musician, wowing audiences in all corners of the world from the USA, Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, India, and even performing at the highest blues festival in the world, The Himalayan Blues Festival in Kathmandu, Nepal.

With his smouldering guitar work, gritty caramel vocals, and sublime rhythm section, Owen’s sound is best described as alternative blues and soulful cosmic rock.

Owen’s debut album, “Sunshine Road,” was released in late 2013, reaching Number 1 on the overall charts (Australia), knocking Adele off the top spot in 2014.

Soon after Owen released “The Pilgrim” in 2014, “Breathing Bullets” in 2016, and “Rolling Thunder” in 2019, each showcasing his evolving song writing and musical style.

Owen’s international success came with his second album, “The Pilgrim,”. The album charted in several countries, including France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, and earned him critical acclaim in Europe.

Every one of Owen’s albums has hit the Top 10 on iTunes Blues Charts in over 10 countries.

Beyond his chart success, Owen is also known for his powerful live performances, where he showcases his virtuosic guitar playing, including his impressive slide guitar skills, and emotive vocals. He has toured extensively in Australia and overseas, including in the US, where he has built a dedicated following.

2024 sees Owen touring nationally as well as heading back to the studio to record his 7th studio album.

Archer is a folk musician. A country blues crooner poet. Singing by the Rivers, singing in the nursing homes, singing for the children. He is an author, has written hundreds of songs and spends most days Planting Trees and feeding delicacies to a giant Cow.  

Archer recently featured in the cult classic documentary "I'm Wanita" and is busy recording an album with producer Michael hohnen (Gurrumul) and composer Erkki Veltheim. A unique and captivating voice.  

Now he's back on the pub circuit singin the blues and finally returning to one of his favorite all time towns Yackandandah

Melbourne Blues artist Lloyd Spiegel has been touring the globe for 30 of his 40 years. The 14 time Australian Blues Award winner has one of the most interesting stories in music, having grown up on stage learning from, and touring with the founding fathers of modern Blues.

Spiegel is a driving force in modern Blues in this country and one of it’s most respected guitarists, recently being name in Australian Guitar Player Magazine’s list of the 50 greatest aussie guitarists of all time.

The current show features Lisa Baird on Trombone and long-time collaborator Tim Burnham on drums. Combined with Spiegel’s guitar wizardry, powerful and knack for storytelling, this trio with a twist delivers a truly unique entertainment experience that reinvents the blues and dispels the cliches associated with it.

“A revelation, the consummate performer, an Oz Blues & Roots icon.”

- Rolling Stone

“A guitarist almost without peer, Spiegel deconstructs how the blues guitar is supposed to operate, makes sweet love to it, then kicks it out the back door”

- Australian Guitar Player Magazine

“Spiegel is ALL presence, authority, rhythm and drive. He epitomizes control, soul and passion with white hot ferocity and blazing instrumental mastery dangerous enough to spark a destructive inferno.”

- The Age, Melbourne

Mitch Grainger

www.mitchgrainger.com

Mitch Grainger is a perfect paradox. A white guy from Australia, who infuses the blues & roots

genre’s traditional styling’s with a confidence, and depth of spirit, that has seen him

compared

to the likes of Robert Johnson* by American music critics.

His sound, built on a talented configuration of vocals, harmonica and guitar, has quietly been

maturing for over 25 years like a fine single malt whiskey while he’s been performing and

re

cording behind the scenes with some of Australia and the world’s greatest artists; such as

Malcolm Young (AC/DC) and Harry Vanda (The Easybeats) to name but two.

When stepping into the light with his 2015 breakout solo acoustic release ‘The Blues’, Mitch

Grainger and his high

-

energy stage show burst onto the blues & roots scene, like a field holler

echoing from the deep dark south through a dusty 50’s tube amplifier.

He packed houses in the US, Australia and Scandinavia, performed at prestigious festivals

, such

as the American Folk Alliance in Kansas City, and earned standing ovations while opening for

Tommy Emmanuel across the North East of the USA.

Then, like the Sasquatch, he disappeared, turned recluse, and spent the next two years focusing

on inventi

ng and patenting a revolutionary new harmonica microphone called Dyna

-

Mic, which

subsequently was used by Bob Dylan.

Now, with a growing global fan base that includes over 120,000 subscribers on various social

media Mitch Grainger is taking his raw emotional form of Blues & Roots music up the

metaphorical Mississippi river, out of the acoustic domain, and into the voltaic with a new

double album entitled ‘Plug It In’

.

--

*“Grainger plays pure acoustic blues with the hear

t and soul of Robert Johnson. His light

-

fingered guitar and mournful

harp perfectly play up Grainger’s modern lyrics and traditional

-

sounding melodies; close your eyes, and you can feel the

heat and smell the dust of Mississippi”

Suzanne Cadgène, Elmore M agazine.

“I’ve watched him search within himself for his true identity as an artist...have a listen to his music...Mitch has come of

age”

Harry Vanda.

--

Whiskey Dram is a hard folk band, with influences ranging from traditional folk, punk, blues and bluegrass, with a penchant for sea shanties and Australian folk songs. The full line-up includes guitar, banjo, double bass, mandolin, fiddle, trumpet, concertina, flute, tin whistle and percussion.

Harmony Byrne:

Australian singer/songwriter Harmony Byrne first stunned listeners with her wide-ranging debut, Heavy Doors, produced by Spoons Jim Eno, which saw her explore folk, alt-country, blues, and gospel with a confident yet introspective tone.

2019 saw her play SXSW and a massive national tour with The Teskey Brothers, precluding a period of isolation where Byrne recorded an acoustic E.P in her home studio, entitled The Songs I Sing When No One Is Listening.

Now she’s back in action, playing solo and with her band, with the likes of Amyl & The Sniffers, Alice Skye and C.W Stoneking.

If you’re after a powerful voice that can both devastate with muscular ferocity and affirm with skilled restraint you may want to watch this cracker of a fire Byrne.

Milou Moon:Milou Moon is a Naarm-based psych rock project fronted by French-American artist Emily McGill. It is made up of Em, Sam O’Neil (Sunnyside), George DeSilva, and Jevaan Waldron. Inspired by the classic psych movement of the 60s and 70s, wistful vocal melodies and hypnotic guitar soundscapes form the essence of Milou Moon’s dreamlike approach.

Milou Moon has released several singles on dolphin love records (Matahara, Sean Heathcliff), selling out their debut single launch show, in anticipation of their debut debut EP ‘Trails to Centre’ on March 22.

Spotify

Australias record breaking new talent ‘Aaron Pollock’ has wowed the modern blues and folk world as one of the cleanest and most entertaining singers and guitarists internationally. At only 26 years old, Aaron has ticked all of the ‘folk-poet-troubadour’ boxes, travelling the world as a singer songwriter, becoming a finalist at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2020, as well as receiving both 2021 ‘MV Best Blues Artist’ and 2020 ‘MV Best Blues Album’ nominations. Touring extensively across both the United States and Australia, Aaron has built healthy and dedicated followings of die hard folk and blues fans, who rave about Aaron’s ability to transport them back in time with authenticity and conviction. He plays a fierce guitar, writes a great song, and stands up as one of the finest young entertainers you will have the pleasure to watch in the modern era.

#3 Australian Blues and Roots Album Charts w/Live! At the MBAS House Of Blues (Current Charting)

#9 Australian Blues And Roots Album Charts w/ Troubadour Blues

2021 Music Victoria: Best Blues Act Nominee

2020 Music Victoria: Blues Album Of The Year Nominee

2020 International Blues Challenge Finalist

2019 MBAS Melbourne Blues Challenge Winner

#2 Australian Regional Charts w/ Sweet Home Chicago

#3 Australian Regional Charts w/ Love In Vain

#4 Australian Blues Album Charts w/ The Blues Tapes

#8 Australian Blues Album Charts w /Anxieux

Australia’s foremost bluesman Ash Grunwald has announced a new National Tour to coincide with the release of his new single - Life Without You, a chilled groove about going the distance in a relationship and having gratitude for your loved ones.

A collaboration with Garett Kato, most well-known for producing Tones & I’s ‘Dance Monkey” and many of Ziggy Alberts most recent releases - this is a track that hits you in the feels.

Ash Grunwald has inspired a generation to hit the road in an old beat-up old van to ‘surf by day jam by night’. Throughout his career, he has supported legends James Brown, The Black Keys, Jack Johnson, Xavier Rudd, and Keith Urban, among numerous others, and played sold out festivals across Europe, Japan, and North America. With six Australian Top-50 albums to his credit, alongside five ARIA and four AIR Award Nominations, two APRA Awards, and gong for Best International Act at the LA Music Critic Awards.

Witness Australia’s most exciting blues act in action at Star Hotel Yackandandah

HIS LATEST SINGLE Life Without You Is Out Feb 2

Event recommended for 18+

Adelaide Comedian Marc Ryan, better known as The Beautiful Bogan, has been performing stand up comedy for the past 10 years.

With 4 and 1/2 star reviews from The Adelaide fringe shows he has written, Marc has performed alongside Wil Anderson, Adam Hills, Dave Hughes, Fiona O’Laughlin, and toured New Zealand with American comedian Kevin Tate.

However, over the past 4 years Marc has been a mission to use his lived experience of mental illness (PTSD, Depression and Anxiety). He created his own epic tour The Beautiful Bogan vs The Black Dog which entailed 30 gigs in 30 days, from mining camps to a local church, a boxing gym, a skate ramp and many more crazy locations.

HIs aim is to normalise the conversation around mental health and especially let men know they are not alone in their struggle. In recent times Marc has delivered his message of hope to drought communities on Eyre Peninsula and fire ravaged towns on Kangaroo Island.

Marc is not afraid of get vulnerable and open up about his personal demons if it can help another person feel less alone.

His mission is to change one life at a time.

Beginning his career with an invite to perform as part of the West Coast Blues and Roots Festival troubadour singer/songwriter Simon Marks has gone on to perform thousands of shows both domestically and overseas, releasing 5 independent albums and selling over 15,000 copies along the way.

From performing festivals stages to bars, barns, house concerts, art galleries and everything in-between, including even one time aboard a sinking ship, Simon Marks is nothing if not adaptable. He shares with his loyal listeners a show full of honesty and conviction that is a true joy be a part of, and to be experienced at least once in your lifetime.

RICK HART - SHORT BIO

For The Country Record said “Hart is a refreshing counterpart to the plethora of male singers who have gone awry of country tradition. Hart is a perfect antidote to whatever bro-hangover still looms over.”

With a voice that floats with soulful warmth and honesty, Rick Hart’s words and melodies weave through all the dynamics and extremes of human emotions and relationships. A tapestry of melody soaked simplicity and thoughtful imagery.

This multi award winning songwriter (2014 Songwriter of the Year, Australian Songwriters Association awards), seamlessly weaves For The Country Record said “Hart is a refreshing counterpart to the plethora of male singers who have gone awry of country tradition. Hart is a perfect antidote to whatever bro-hangover still looms over.”

With a voice that floats with soulful warmth and honesty, Rick Hart’s words and melodies weave through all the dynamics and extremes of human emotions and relationships. A tapestry of melody soaked simplicity and thoughtful imagery.

This multi award winning songwriter (2014 Songwriter of the Year, Australian Songwriters Association awards), seamlessly weaves country, soul, blues, rock’n’roll and folk to create a soundscape all his own. With influences of the likes of the Rolling Stones, The Band, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, Gram Parsons, Tom Petty and Springsteen, shining through.

Australian Country music icon Bill Chambers said, "I've worked with Rick Hart, he's a superb songwriter! Rick's music is a unique combination of roots and country."

After a lengthy hiatus, this Melbourne alt country troubadour will be releasing his long awaited third album ‘In The Midnight Sky Alone’ in early 2024, his most heartfelt and introspective offering to date.

Blues, rock guitar legend Phil Para has become known as one of Australia's most dynamic guitarists, vocalists and songwriters. Notably holding down a residency at the iconic Espy Hotel in St Kilda playing every Saturday to packed houses for over 25 years. Phil's name became the stuff of legends with touring artists such as Metallica, Eric Burden, Adrian Belew and many more dropping in to see him play. Carlos Santana cited Phil in an interview saying "Phil may even play my songs better than me"

One of Melbourne’s hardest working and best-known musicians playing sold out shows every week, Phil and his powerhouse trio, perform a range of his original rock/ blues/ latin fusion songs alongside classic guitar-oriented covers such as Hendrix, Santana, Clapton, Rolling Stones, Stevie Ray Vaughan etc. Phil’s multi-instrumentalist son Denzil Para joins him on drums, guitar, and some vocals and Jason Nehill drives the bottom end on bass. Phil’s powerful presence, passionate renditions and guitar showmanship make for a thrilling performance that mesmerises his audiences and keep them and coming back time and again.

“Phil actually becomes Hendrix when he plays one of Jimi’s songs” …..Eric Burdon

Much loved Irish troubadour Luka Bloom is a master of the concert stage.

His incredibly gifted electro-acoustic guitar playing guarantees an impassioned live performance of his original, poetic and melodic songs.

Luka’s concert arsenal includes both tender and dynamic original material and a surprisingly eclectic selection of other people’s work.

Over the years Bloom has brought his inspiring lyrics and sumptuous melodies to clubs, theatres, festivals, bars and arenas all over the world, but he has a special place in his heart for Australian audiences and has earned a devoted following in this country.

Armed with a 3-string cigar box guitar, bottleneck slide, Strat knockoff and shed-built foot drums, Jungle Jim Smith is a one-man-electric-boogie-band based in the rolling hills of South Gippsland’s Prom Country. Delivering high energy performances since 2021,

Jungle Jim’s blend of up-tempo garage grooves and stompin’ blues sits somewhere between RL Burnside, early ZZ Top and The Black Keys. Delivered with a grin, Jim’s songs are charged with infectious hooks and a riffage finesse, with vocals that conjure up shades of Elvis and Morrison crooning over primal percussive riffs and rhythms. He seamlessly creates a full band sound that’s been described as a ‘swampy mix of rockabilly grit and hill country blues’, charming a diverse range of music fans wherever he plays.

The debut 7-track EP ‘Electric Boogieland’ has just been released to an enthusiastic response. Jungle Jim has barely paused though, already laying down demos for a follow up album planned for release later this year

Asha has always sung. From age 11 Asha was singing Jazz at a music Academy in wangaratta, touring throughout Australia performing songs with other young Jazz artists.

By 14 she had formed her first band ‘The Inner Vision’, recording an EP and touring in the UK. This included ‘The Fleece’ in Bristol as part of the Dreamfields creative youth program, gracing the stage where legendary artists like Radiohead and Jeff Buckley performed.

Over the next few years The Inner Vision would play many shows around the North East region of Victoria supporting the likes of Ruby Fields and Baker Boy.

By 2020 Asha decided to focus on her solo project and released her Debut single ‘Burnt Toast and Marmalade’ winning several awards with a 4 star review from Dave Ruby Howe on Triple J Unearthed.

“This one lurches forward like it’s full of white knuckled tension and torment, Asha let’s it all out on this track”. - Dave Ruby Howe

Asha continued to play shows throughout 2020 where she could, whilst balancing music with her schooling and a global pandemic.

In early 2021 Asha was given an incredible opportunity to chat to Coldplay’s Chris Martin for a Webex promo seminar. After inquiring about her music Chris looked up and listened to her latest single ‘Not 4 U’ (released the same day as the seminar) whilst on Webex and was extremely impressed by the young artists talent and what he heard.

“Wow, that’s wonderful” - Chris Martin Coldplay

Since the Webex promo seminar was released publicly things have moved rapidly with Asha interviewed on national breakfast TV programs including, Channel 7’s Sunrise and ABC Mornings and playing live on channel 9’s the ‘Today Show’, where Asha received further accolades.

“Great voice, incredible lyrics...you are such a phenomenal talent” - David Campbell The Today Show

Articles have been written about the interview with Chris Martin globally, spreading Asha’s music around the world.

Her clip on Youtube received 9.3K views in just under a week.

Her most recent achievement was being chosen by Triple J unearthed to support some very well known Australian artists such as Allday and the Chats in the push inc, All ages tour this February and March.

🎇 NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY 🎇 at the Star! 🌟

SAT 31

6 PM - LATE

FREE ENTRY

⭐️ SURREAL MCCOYS ⭐️

Pete Denahy, Dave Patterson + Jeff Mercer bringing their honky tonkin’, old timey country music to get the good times up + galloping!

⭐️ Julian James ⭐️

Laying down his groove-driven, high energy Americana Hill Country Blues to keep the party freight train chugging along!

⭐️ DJ GARY B. *as seen on YACKWIZ TRIVIA ⭐️

Sending the night spinning with style into the New Year with his collection of retro records to keep you dancing from 9PM - LATE!

⭐️ $17 TUESDAY PIZZA + YACKWIZ TRIVIA! ⭐️

BOTH are on tonight!

🧠 YACKWIZ TRIVIA ~ 7 - 9PM

🍕 TUESDAY PIZZA ~ ALL $17 EA ~ TAKEAWAY OR DINE IN ~ 4:30 - 8PM

This is a SUPER POPULAR event - don’t miss out on your chance to join in the fun and win some great prizes! 🏆

Bookings required for registration 👇

Online Bookings: https://bit.ly/star_hotel_book_now

Call: (02) 60 271 493

⭐️ $17 TUESDAY PIZZA + YACKWIZ TRIVIA! ⭐️

BOTH are on tonight!

🧠 YACKWIZ TRIVIA ~ 7 - 9PM

🍕 TUESDAY PIZZA ~ ALL $17 EA ~ TAKEAWAY OR DINE IN ~ 4:30 - 8PM

This is a SUPER POPULAR event - don’t miss out on your chance to join in the fun and win some great prizes! 🏆

Bookings required for registration 👇

Online Bookings: https://bit.ly/star_hotel_book_now

Call: (02) 60 271 493

⭐️ $15 TUESDAY PIZZA + YACKWIZ TRIVIA! ⭐️

BOTH are on tonight!

🧠 YACKWIZ TRIVIA ~ 7 - 9PM

🍕 TUESDAY PIZZA ~ ALL $15 EA ~ TAKEAWAY OR DINE IN ~ 4:30 - 8PM

This is a SUPER POPULAR event - don’t miss out on your chance to join in the fun and win some great prizes! 🏆

Bookings required for registration 👇

Online Bookings: https://bit.ly/star_hotel_book_now

Call: (02) 60 271 493