Applications are now open for the 2018 Bello Winter Music Youth Mentorship Program where aspiring musicians under 19 years of age have an opportunity to be mentored by established artists on the festival bill. The selected young artists from each category (Band, Singer Songwriter, Vocal, Under 15years) get a rehearsal session with their mentor, a 20 minute performance at the festival with their mentor backstage, the opportunity to watch their mentor perform from backstage and a weekend pass to the festival.

Past success stories of the Bello Winter Music Youth Mentorship Program include The Brothers who took out the Band category in the inaugural 2015 program and went on to be booked for official festival line up the following year and have been gigging ever since. Highlights from 2017 include Leah Besley who, under the mentorship of Ben Wilson, captivated audiences with her sweet voice, soulful lyrics and impressive versatility and Ryan Kemp, the youngest Bello Youth Mentorship Winner so far at just 12 years of age who took to the stage at the Opening Night Gala in front of 600 people.

What: Bello Winter Music 2018 Youth Mentorship Applications

When: Until the 6 June

Where to apply: www.bellowintermusic.com

BELLO WINTER MUSIC 2018

Held throughout the township of Bellingen, NSW

THURS 12 – SUNDAY 15 JULY, 2018

About Bello Winter Music

Bello Winter Music (12- 15 July) is a small, family-friendly event that takes over the streets, cafes and halls of the NSW Mid North Coast town of Bellingen. This year’s line-up of more than 70 acts includes Justin Townes Earle, Lior, Deborah Conway, Caiti Baker, William Crighton, Thando, Z-Star Trinity,and Dustyesky. Bello Winter Music is the love-child of Spring’s Mullum Music Festival and has sold out each year so book early.

More about this years Mentors

Tony Rowley / Titan Sky

Since the release of the self-titled debut EP in 2016, Titan Sky, led by New Zealand singer songwriter Tony Rowley has made a significant mark in the East Coast festival scene. With the backing of a full band featuring Ollie McGill (The Cat Empire) on keys, Dan McCosker on bass and Noah Sims on drums. Titan Sky have a refreshing haul of new songs for 2018. With A strong stage presence and an original sound, Titan Sky soaks the air and shakes the floor. Expect a heartfelt and passionate performance that is raw and honest. Lyrics draw you in and big choruses send you flying. Searing hot vocals and impressive string picking, folk pop songwriting that sounds on the pulse.

Ash Bell

Ash Bell is the former front man and songwriter for contemporary Australiana outfit Starboard Cannons – a festival favourite with two highly acclaimed studio albums. Ash will be performing at Bello Winter Music with Sara Tindley who have come together for a very special album “I Let My Guard Down”. Songwriters of the highest order, this collaboration is the coming together of soul “brother and sister” to form a timeless folk/roots mini-masterpiece of tough love and deep humanity. Having worked closely with one another since 2012, this release marks an exciting chapter in the pairs’ musical journey.

Sal Kimber

Sal Kimber & the Rollin’ Wheel are a band steeped in talent, personality and connection. Described by Rolling Stone as ‘Australiana alt-country at its finest’, Sal’s authentic and warm stage presence, and the captivating musicianship of this close-knit band has seen them win over audiences Australia-wide. With years of touring, countless festivals and three studio albums behind them, Sal and The ‘Wheel create a soulful and playful live show that inspires both toe tapping and heartstring tugging. Sal’s third album “Southern Light”, released in Feb 2016, featuring the Rollin’ Wheel and captured by award winning producer Shane O’Mara, is an expansive, soulful route through country, folk, and rock, and has picked up accolades, rave reviews and feature album slots across the country.

Xani Kolac / The Twoks

The Twoks are Xani Kolac (electric violin/vocals) and Mark Leahy (drums). Together, they have been making violin and drums dance/pop music on the arty fringes of Melbourne for six years. With influences like Sigur Ros, Phoenix, Andrew Bird and Pat Benatar, this duo is an eclectic mix of dark and bright, art and pop. The Twoks have played St Kilda Festival (MEL), DARK MOFO (TAS), The Falls Festival (Byron Bay), Edinburgh Fringe Festival (UK), Woodford Folk Festival (QLD), Port Fairy Folk Festival and in NYC and Japan. Recently, The Twoks opened for Clare Bowditch and Adalita, as well as for 2Cellos at The Palais. Xani Kolac was nominated for the AUReview award for Best Live Instrumentalist in 2014 and The Twoks won Best Music at the Adelaide Fringe Festival.