The fifth edition of the swinging, dancing, bejewelled blitz that is Lightning and Rhinestones has been cancelled.
After a last attempt to bring in ticket sales over the last 24 hours, The Barwon Club’s annual alt-country mixer, Lightning and Rhinestones has sadly been cancelled. Scheduled to run Saturday 13 July from 1pm, the festival event will be refunding tickets to all the ticketholders.
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With a stellar lineup, two-step dance lessons and a vibe like no other, Lightning and Rhinestones was set to be a celebration of the charm of the alt-country community. While the celebration has stopped in person, you can still live out your best alt-country life, and support the incredible artists that were due to be involved in the fifth year.
Ben Mastwyk
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Melbourne cosmic-country-rocker Ben Mastwyk writes his songs on the move. Planes, trains, rivers and highways set the mood.
“There’s something about the rhythm of the world rolling by that stimulate the process” he explains.
With his seven-piece rhinestoned band The Millions, songs erupt into swaggering, psychedelic bar-room gems.
As a teenage noise-rocker, Mastwyk’s love of twang was instilled when he watched family members produce a country record, exposing him to artists such Cash, Kristopherson and Parsons, confirming his love of classic country music. After ceasing music to explore Fine Art, Mastwyk was thrust back into the country music scene when a borrowed guitar spawned a flood of songwriting.
Twice nominated for Best Country Album (Music Victoria Awards), Mastwyk has received high nation rotation on ABC Radio and toured his songs around Australia, NZ and the USA. His third album, 2021’s Livin on Gold Street, debuted at #1 on the Australian Independent charts, #2 on ARIA Australian Country charts. His most recent single ‘Actually’ is whipping around and has the toes a-tapping.
Eils and The Drip
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Just off the back of supporting a sellout tour with Jet, Eils & the Drip are one of alt-country’s finest.
Eils & The Drip are a hot new cosmic country six-piece straight out of Naarm. Featuring Lap Steel, Pedal Steel, Keys, and plenty of harmonies – the sound is rich and full, at times with a twang reminiscent of Neil Young’s Harvest, Dylan’s Nashville Skyline or classic Emylou Harris.
Formed by vocalist/songwriter Eileen Hodgkins (aka Eils). Eileen is a prolific figure on the local scene who, at the age of 13, hit the road with her three siblings in family band Perch Creek (originally The Perch Creek Family Jugband). Perch Creek toured nationally and internationally for more than ten years, releasing a couple of albums and playing the likes of Golden Plains, Port Fairy, Woodford, MONA FOMA and Falls Festival, as well as Edinburgh Fringe, WOMAD UK, Winnipeg Folk Festival and more. Indeed Perch Creek toured Europe and the UK three times, Canada twice, and played shows in the US, including Nashville. They also appeared on Spicks & Specks, and even supported Lisa-Marie Presley!
Their new single ‘Easy Rider’ is rolling around and revving up audiences.
Katie Bates
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Melbourne Americana singer Katie Bates has been performing live for over a decade. Obsessed and inspired by the music of the classic and alternative country artists from the 1960’s and 70’s, Bates is a bonafide star.
Her songs brim with honesty and more than a hint of grunge and grit. SHe brngs an attitude to the table that is seldom seen in the Americana/roots scene – a fire in the belly that simmers beneath a sweet surface of a gifted storyteller.
Since immersing herself in the vibrant Melbourne alt-country/Americana scene, Bates has performed as a backing vocalist and occasional opening act for artists such as Lachlan Bryan and The Wildes, James Ellis and The Jealous Guys and the aforementioned Ben Mastwyk.
Bates’ sound pays respect to the likes of Gillan Welch, Tom Petty, Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris but also leans heavily from Nirvana, PJ Harvey, Alanis Morissette and Audioslave.
Sin City
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When the world dropped into covid-lockdown, a band was raised. That band was Sin City, a southern-inspired duo turn five-piece that has been ripping through the live music scene since it’s reopening. From the songwriting arms of New Zealand expats Nick Armstrong and Jack Beesley, the band is forged on their love of classic country, soul and rock ‘n’ roll records of the 60’s and 70’s; a sonic heritage they joyously meld into a hearty gumbo of Americana goodness.
Their first single ‘Am I The One You Love’ dropped into the world in September last year launching in their new sound at the Barwon Club and into regional centres. Soon followed were ‘Candy’ and ‘Big City Street’ signalling a collection of classics.
With their EP Another Round out in the world, the five piece has been serving up their colourful sonic slaw at locals across Victoria.
Tin Stars
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Australian alt-country quartet (ex GIT, Sweet Delores & Hazchem), Tin Stars are right on our doorstep from Wadawurrung Country. Their sonic stylings of original slow burn twang and cowpunk tinged bar room swagger is an undeniable mix.
Made up of superstar songwriters from the region including Sarah Carrol on drums, the Tin Stars have a wealth on musical armour that makes them unstoppable in the live setting.
Gearing up to release an EP, the four piece are expected to shine as bright as their name on the collection.
No Sleep Till Texas
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Hailing from Melbourne, Australia and fuelled by a love of real country music, come No Sleep Till Texas. Paying homage to their own heroes, the likes of Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Doug Sahm, Dwight Yoakam and Willie Nelson, this Melbourne outfit are throwbacks to when country music was exactly that. Delivering their honest and bare bones take on country classics, NSTT are all about folks up and dancing and having a good time. Just like they do playing the music they love.
No Sleep Till Texas are Luke Callahan (drums), Rick Hart (vocals, acoustic guitar), Brendan Mitchell (pedal steel), Paul Robertson (electric guitars), Colin McNeil (bass) and Vanessa Hart (backing vocals)
Let’s not the lightning from our alt-country hearts fade or the rhinestone shed this weekend. Keep the spirit of Lightning and rhinestones alive by supporting these artists through listening to their songs, sharing their stories or booking tickets for upcoming shows.
