SCU Alumni Shine at the Lismore Lantern Parade

SCU Alumni Shine at the Lismore Lantern Parade

Southern Cross University Alumni Harry Suttor and SAE graduate Lachlan Mulligan were born in the surf of the small coastal town of Yamba. Since graduating they have been riding even bigger waves in the Australian music scene as electronic duo, Nocturnal Tapes.

A standout live act, Nocturnal Tapes are a touring force, supporting Luke Million on his national tour earlier this year and sharing stages with Boo Seeka, Yahtzel, Bootleg Rascal, Tash Sultana and many more.

This Saturday 23 June the duo is coming back to the Northern Rivers to play as the headline act and alongside other Southern Cross University musical Alumni Holly Tapp, Luke Vassella, Alisha Todd, Julius Hofstettor and Shelley Brown on the Heartbeats Festival Stage from 12 – 9pm at the Lismore Lantern Parade.

Southern Cross University and Northern Rivers Conservatorium have joined forces to present the free concert at The Quad in Rural Street, Lismore.

Southern Cross Alumni Holly Tapp was a top 8 finalist of The Voice Australia catching the attention of Kylie Minogue, Will.I.Am and Joel Madden. Crowned as the “quintessential all Australian girl”, Holly’s original sound, comprised of catchy and beautiful melodies, lays her soul bare telling stories of love, the land and the ocean.

Holly will play at 7pm on the Heartbeats Stage with her new band “Dos Loona” featuring bassist and guitarist Tim Schou and Tormaigh Cafarella who studied contemporary music at Southern Cross University with Holly and their drummer, Byron Bay local “reggae boom” extraordinaire Jason Cunnen.

Earlier in day between 4 and 6pm audiences can catch Alisha Todd and Luke Vassella who between them have been nominated and won many music awards and audiences across Australia.

Alisha who was most recently nominated for a Music Oz Award and is a multiple NCEIA Dolphin Award Finalist will bring her unique pop-inspired, jazz-infused sound to the Heartbeats Stage and offer new material she has created over the last three years while travelling the world.

There aren’t many on the North Coast of Australia who has not heard SCU Alumni Luke Vassella play. Widely known and loved as an inspirational performer and an accomplished singer/songwriter Luke has released nine albums of his own material, receiving eight NCEIA Dolphin Awards along the way, including Male Vocal of the year. At the 2017 Australian Roots Music Awards, he received the ‘Karl Brodie Best Song’ trophy.

Julius Hofstettor, a long time teacher at the Con (and a Con and Southern Cross graduate), has run the Con Youth Jazz Orchestra for 8 years, providing the only big band experience for young musicians in the region. The YJO will perform on Heartbeats Stage from 2pm.  Shelly Brown, an alumnus of both the Northern Rivers Conservatorium and Southern Cross University will feature as a vocalist.

Southern Cross University and the Con are excited to showcase and celebrate their alumni at the 2018 Lantern Parade Heartbeats Stage with an eclectic program of musical performances.

The Heartbeats Stage runs from 12noon – 9pm on Saturday 23 June in The Quad. A full program can be found on the Lismore Lantern Parade website.

Image | Harry Suttor and Lachlan Mulligan from Nocturnal Tapes by Lucy Alcorn