Thanks to stand up comedian and The Big Joke Comedy Festival Director (12 -15 Feb, 2009) Mandy Nolan, comedy in the Byron Shire has its very own unique tone. Bringing local satire to the table with the wit of national and international profile comics. Featuring local comics, including RAW National finalist Ellen Briggs and Brendan Lovechild from Australia Stand's Up, alongside Triple J's Graveyard guru Dave Callan and the maestro of mayhem, Mr Greg Fleet.

Emerging from the genesis of the great Val Dusty Experiment and Andrew Kidman's revered surf films Litmus and Glass Love, the Brown Birds From Windy Hill are a full-blown rock outfit, capable of delicate grace and roaring power - as those who witnessed their recent set at Splendour In The Grass will attest.

Byron Youth Stage Band Is a new initiative by Music Teacher, Alfredo Lopes organized to inspire local kids by having regular performances in the community at local venues and events. The ensemble is based on successful local 12-piece band "SOULD" performing various repertoire and styles by popular artists.

Once upon a time, mentioning surfing and music in the same sentence conjured up sepia-toned images of the early '60s. However, there are those like Donavon Frankenreiter, who, unlike most of the old-school 'surf-rockers', knows his way around a wave as well as he does a fret-board. Frankenreiter is back, as he is about to release a brand spanking new album Pass it Around, and wants to show us what sun kissed sonic songs he's been working on - and what a more perfect playground to do so than in Byron! The openness of his live shows are diversely sketched as it traverses his range from low slung fund grooves, to smouldering tracks with various sonic sea changes throughout that uphold a soulfulness with an undeniable pop sensibility. His characteristic alternately funky and blissed-out grooves alongside his deft, bluesy fretwork are all the ingredients of a good-vibed Donavon show that'll leave with a smile on your dial.

Local pioneers of dub Dubshack will bring their high energy live show of dub andreggae inspried grooves to Bayron Arts 2009. Drawing their influences from themasters, Dubshack captures the true essence of reggae and encapsulates the rawgroove into a dynamic set of tight musicianship, dub-steady roots andphsychedelic ska.

Fans of Faker's eclectic, chaotic danceability, which mixes 80s influences with the raw mania of twenty-first century life, won't be disappointed with their performance at Byron Arts 2009 which will showcase both the new albums gems, and bridge it with their songs of past that can drag you onto the dance floor like a thing possessed, as happens at all Faker live gigs, often teetering on the brink of chaos. The new release from Faker is up-front & fierce; 'Be The Twilight', moves in that suspended light where possibilities seem to multiply.

Forget the stadium shows - the Glasgow quartet are all about the intimacy as they come to perform with renewed intensity and passion a coagulation of the new with the familiar in a fiery and frantic frenzy in Byron Bay. Franz Ferdinand will indeed return; with more keyboards, giant grooves and stadium sized choruses that shall no-doubt result in crowd mayhem. Franz's new album has been forecast as an unbridled feral monster of a groove, with their new songs reaching out to far more expansive and funky domains. The super-sharp guitar stabs and driving beats that catapulted them onto our airwaves are still mainstays; though no-one expected these elements to be built into a delectable and squelchy electronic sound, with glam stomp and bombastic multi-percussive breaks! The intoxicating sounds that are the foundation of Franz shall be expelled as a gritty, fierce and exhilarating show.

From the hills and valleys of Northern NSW, Fyah Walk have emerged on the roots reggae circuit as one of the nations most authentic & respected live reggae acts. Formed in March 2007 when songwriter, singer and rhythm guitarist Simon Jerrems relocated to Byron Bay from Melbourne, aiming to establish a uniquely Australian roots reggae group. Simon is joined by regarded local reggae musicians (including members from prominent bands Freakylou, Lion I ,Dubshack) and together they combine elements of Jamaican, African, Native American and Indigenous Australian culture to creates a vibrant message and positive experience. Their acclaimed debut release 'Sunrise Red' is available now.

Ghost Mountain are the surviving members of Acre, the Brisbane-based alt-rockband who had a string of Triple J hits in the late 90s and continue producinggreat records and great live shows on the North Coast of NSW today. ChristianPyle, singer/songwriter/producer of Acre, has teamed up with Sal Yates, apowerhouse singer/songwriter who's fronted such dynamic acts as Mission Ignitionand The Mighty Pragmatics. This mesmerising and superb live act is one not to bemissed at Byron Arts 2009.

England's Southport five-piece Gomez's love affair with Australia is thriving, as the lads journey down south to the fair eastern shores of Byron. Having honed their one-of-a kind sound over the past ten years, since their Mercury Award winning debut album, they have continued with their experimental rock and unpredictable streak that can only be, the brilliant and unabashedly collective sound of Gomez. Their perfect soundscape for a lazy summer afternoon will frolic in your ears and waft over you like a kiss from the heavens with their blues-laden licks of soulful guitar and healthy propensity for multi-instrumentalism.

Invisible Friend's distinct music has recruited fans worldwide with their hard hitting melodies, thought provoking lyrics, addictive hooks, and soulful signature vocals. Their mesmerising live performances have taken them from their regional Australian roots to Europe, the United Kingdom and back. Invisible Friend emerge as one of the country’s most exciting rock, funk and roots discoveries. Their latest album MYSTERIOUS MAPS is out now.

Escape into an hypnotic world of folk and blues, fingerpicking and smoky vocals reminiscent of Nick Drake and Jose Gonzalez. Jez Mead performs songs of love and hope with a timeless feel, seamlessly woven. Jez is, and has been for some time, one of the most exciting singer songwriters on the music scene today.

Singing songs about one-horse towns, rodeo clowns and girls with holes in theirstockings, Jimmy Willing & The Real Gone Hick-Ups have breathed new life intoantiquated styles such as country swing, the heel & toe polka and the cowboywaltz. Using a foundation of double bass, stripped down drums, acoustic guitarand harmonica, The Hick-Ups are a cranking little country folk band. This is anunforgettable act.

Just when you are hoping for something to come along that presents fresh anglesto the country tradition in the way that Gillian Welch and Lucinda Williamsmanage to do, along comes Sara Tindley. And she's Australian, based in Byron Bay!

Scarlett Affection is the elegant sparkling folk act, sisters Melia and Nerida. The siblings create a colourful, sassy stage show combining beautiful haunting harmonies with charismatic theatrics, cheeky humour and moving songs. Songwriting awards, Australia Arts Council support, international touring, laughter, stories… Scarlett Affection: an exciting live dynamic to experience.

Cuter than a baby cat, but with pretty sharp claws too, SoKo is a new bewitching voice making big waves with her musical diversity world-wide. Sweet SoKo and her desperate ditty 'I'll Kill Her' was a favourite across the Oz airways late last year, landing in the 9th place in the Triple j Hottest 100. Her songs are full of heartfelt yet poignant lyrics, a maturity in song writing and a depth in musicianship. Her eclectic live shows see her taking control of guitars and drums in addition to the ukulele and keyboards. If something can be guaranteed at a SoKo show, then it is that her show is like no other! Effortless and alluring, SoKo is a young female making reluctant radio music with brains and spiky corners - the melodies paint an emotional rainbow, the lyrics a piquant stew of thoughts and feelings.

Canadian Quinn twins, Tegan and Sara's live shows are well-known to showcase startlingly dark, yet characteristically vibrant songs that are equally one part razor-edged pop, one part deeply melancholic, whilst maintaining a healthy dose of their early folk habits. The result is both quirky and irresistible. After working with Death Cab For Cuties' Chris Walla, they released album The Con which was embraced worldwide with heartfelt warmth. Tegan and Sara will grace the Byron Arts stages with their collection of angsty, catchy power-pop gems such as their bouncy, piano-driven single 'Back in your Head' which tends to burst out as three and a half minutes of pure sunny bliss.

After a well-earned rest of 8 months of 'long service leave' The Cat Empire returns to the Australian Summer stages in one of their most favourite places on earth - Byron Bay. While hype has come and gone on other bands, The Cat Empire has been quietly building an international Empire of immense proportion over the past 7+ years. They have become a solid festival favorite throughout Europe, USA, Canada, Japan and indeed in Australia. A melting pot of all the great things music can be, these guys have carved their own musical odyssey since their beginning in 2001. The band now has records out in every corner of the world. Expect to see the Empire in fine trademark Afro-Cuban, hip-shakin' party intrigue form as they return for smokin' sets.

Teachers tend to say 'there's one in every class' - and there's one (well, actually, there's three) in the currently bursting at the seams oz music scene. That's right, those with a penchant for a par-tay are back with a glittering rendezvous to their renowned dance-a-holic, shambolic interludes of delirium, infectiousness and onstage dexterity; we proudly announce The Grates. Chuffed that Patience, John & Alana are journeying to our little fest, they carry with them, in their shiny suitcases, a brand spanking new set of songs. Fresh off their just-released and long awaited sophomore album Teeth Lost, Hearts Won, these Australian darlings will ever-so-eloquently perform their punch-in-the-guts, catchy tunes that'll have all hand-clapping & foot-stomping raucously along. They're one hellava band, with new, sharp arrangements, that injects never experienced layers of grunt (and fun) into their renowned exploding sets.

Fools, misfits and miscreants of the earth! THE HIVES; curators of that perfectly balanced colour scheme, have been away far too long. Yeah! During their absence, they have not been mucking about, oh no. They are now ready to bring the BLACK & WHITE again, only more so. With their new The Black and White Album in tow of their dapper suits and rollicking, raucous live show, the Swedes will again set about utilizing unexpected new wave and even metronomic compositions all while keeping an ear to classic power pop punk stylings, whilst casually riffing and rocking our worlds. Oh Yeah! THE HIVES are now ready for global supremacy; starting in Oz, whereby they shall enrich and rock all our lives in an exemplary fashion. The Hives have returned. Yeah! And one last time: Yeah!

The Kooks are indeed a rare cultural phenomena; living proof that pop music can still be great. Having quickly rang up sell-out shows not just in the UK but in America and all over the world, earning a support slot with The Rolling Stones along the way and categorically establishing themselves as a classic, and great British Band. This Brighton quartet have made it known that they are no one-hit wonders, making great pop music with a freewheeling spirit that implies longevity, with a stupendous live show in front of sell-out crowds to support the claim.

The Witness play a soul-dub sound that take you on a sensual journey into deep bassy soul-scapes and some heavy throbbing dub. The music is the love child of drummer Cozi Karsay, and the exceptional lyrics and vocal stylings of Miss Carla Versitano.

From the Australian East Coast, to the venues of London, the metros of Paris and the clubs of Mumbai, India, Tijuana Cartel have been on a journey through musical styles, studying and absorbing the origins of music in a wide range ofcultures. Tijuana Cartel express phenomenal diversity and introduce a somewhatintelligent and original sound to the ear. Their music is a concoction of multi-layered grooves, splashes of Middle Eastern vocals, lilting Moby-esquesound scapes, flamenco, electronic world beats, ethnic percussion and poetic social commentary.

Formed in the long, hot summer of 2001 at Byron Bay, the Utopians are one of Australia's finest ska and reggae exponents. A six piece stick of dynamite, fronted by Chris Chandler on lead vocals and sax who can turn the energy factor to 11 and is a funny bastard to boot. The entire band are multi-talented, multi-instrumentalists... serious players with a need for serious fun.