Tuareg guitarist and singer Omara “Bombino” Moctar made his Nonesuch Records debut with the release of Nomad on April 2, 2013. The album was recorded with 2013 Grammy Award-winning Producer of the Year Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys at his Nashville studio, Easy Eye Sound.

Nomad debuted at #1 on the Billboard World Music album chart and iTunes World chart and has earned rave reviews from top media outlets around the world...

"Utterly, utterly fantastic..." BBC.

"A perfect match of sound and soul [that] introduces a new guitar hero." Rolling Stone.

Bombino is a member of the Tuareg Ifoghas tribe, a nomadic people descended from the Berbers of North Africa; for centuries they have fought against colonialism and the imposition of strict Islamic rule. During his lifetime, the Tuareg people have fought the Niger government to secure their rights on numerous occasions, causing Bombino and his family to flee several times.

While living in Algeria and Libya in his teen years, Bombino's friends played him videos of Jimi Hendrix and Mark Knopfler, among others, which they watched over and over in an effort to master their licks. Bombino worked regularly as a musician and also as a herder in the desert near Tripoli, spending many hours alone watching the animals and practicing his guitar.

He recalls the time he's spent in the desert and those he has left behind during the upheavals that repeatedly sent him and his family into exile. It's through the sound of his work, at least initially, that Bombino communicates with listeners outside his homeland. His simple but evocative lyrics are sung in the Tamasheck language of the Tuareg people of Niger.

"A heavy-duty recalibration of desert blues." 'UNCUT

In 2009, Bombino met filmmaker Ron Wyman, who had heard a cassette of Bombino's music while traveling near Agadez. Wyman was enchanted by Bombino's music and spent a year seeking him out, eventually tracking him down to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, where he was in exile after two band members were killed in a rebellion (The Tuaregs have since put down their arms and returned to Niger). At the end of the war, Bombino returned to Agadez with Wyman and staged a concert to celebrate the newfound peace that established Bombino as a hero of the Tuareg people.

"Bombino is...a star. The lyrics aim to celebrate and protect Tuareg culture and identity." New York Times...

When those guys get in front of you and Bombino is playing electric guitar, you don't have to be in the desert. They will transform wherever they are. That's what's amazing about Bombino." Dan Auerbach

Since the release of "Nomad" Bombino has been in hot demand on stages and festivals around the world. We now welcome him to his return tour of Australia: For further info: jordan@topshelf.com.au - 0408 962 319

Check out the videos and further background info here: http://www.bombinomusic.com/

Eddie Boyd & The Phatapillars

Rootsy indie 3-piece Eddie Boyd and The Phatapillars - who come across something like Bruno Mars meets Audioslave with a Ukelele - have just withstood 12 months of recording, touring, sleeping on the beach, breaking down in the van, and generally living out the lyrics of ACDC's 'Long Way To The Top'. Through all of this they've still managed to put together a new EP, due for release at Bluesfest this Easter.

Eddie writes and plays from the heart, absolutely shreds on the acoustic guitar, and delivers it all with a huge vocal range with just the right amount of gravel. The rhythm section kicks it hard, and with each new performance The Phatapillars are gaining a family of loyal devotees along their way.

"...the resulting sound is riff-driven, quite removed from the musings of the current apprentices of Australian roots music. They maintain a folky edge and deliver it all with wild abandon, passion and plenty of decibels and, of course, no shoes." - The Blue Mountains Gazette

They've landed themselves some pretty cool festival appearances so far, including showcasing for Universal Music at Bigsound, The Sydney Blues and Roots Festival, GrottoFest, The Bridgetown Festival and The Dirty Roots Festival, as well as the aforementioned show at Bluesfest in Byron. The band has headlined successful shows in Sydney and surrounds and has made inroads into National touring with headlining run from Queensland to Western Australia.

They have also just inked a management deal with Rhythm Section, the team behind blues and roots stalwarts Chase The Sun and Claude Hay amongst others, and are putting the finishing touches on a debut EP - due for release March 2015.

Eddie Boyd started playing ukulele at age two and met fellow Phatapillar Andy Nielsen when they landed in a punk band together in year 9. Skip forward to 2012 and Eddie heads to Byron Bay to take part in the hotly contested Bluesfest Busking Competition. He wins himself a spot at the festival and calls his old band mate to come play with him. They needed a name quickly, made a few spelling mistakes in their haste, Sandy Clarke joined in, and Eddie Boyd & The Phatapillars was born, and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASg6wivSYBw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7_RciPme7Q

www.eddieboydandthephatapillars.com

www.facebook.com/eddieboydandthephatapillars

DOORS OPEN AT 8.00PM
SET TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE FROM SHOW TO SHOW

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
When General Admission Ticket sales have closed on the day of the show they may still be available at the door on the night. 

All patrons must be over the age of 18

Once purchased tickets are non-refundable & non-transferable
(applies to both Standing and Dinner sales)

Please ensure you bring photo ID as proof of age

A booking fee applies to all advance tickets. (All quoted prices include tax).

Dress is Smart/Casual at Manager's discretion. No thongs.

RESTAURANT (GREEN ROOM BAR) OPENING TIMES
DINNER: Tues - Sat (6pm - Late)

NOTE: Restaurant Hours are subject to venue/function bookings.