For 2026, we have a jam-packed daytime program full of wonderful performers from all over the country. This year, we have lots of familiar faces along with a few new ones to entertain and delight over two wonderful days of fun and music.
Listed below is the complete lineup of our Saturday and Sunday daytime performers, in alphabetical order.
Adam Johnson
Heartfelt originals and reimagined covers of some of Adam’s favourite songs that have influenced him in his life. From supporting acts such as Dragon, Ganggajang, Mic Conway and The Nukes , Adam has also attended and performed at festivals around Australia, New Zealand and in Hawaii.
Blue Gum Blossom
Blue Gum Blossom are Mid North Coast jazz ukulele septet, playing traditional and jazz classics with a ukulele twist. Displaying their skills by adding complementary instruments to the ensemble, and featuring harmonica, accordion, guitar, violin and banjo, they will share their interpretations of well-known jazz pieces with ukulele flair and pizazz!
Cathy Crowley
Sweet, comedy tunes fun times.
Central Coast Ukulele Club (CCUC)
A happy community group passionate about all thing’s ukuleles.
They dance they sing and they play. Music is in their heart and soul, and ukulele brings out the best.
They are enthusiastic to perform and are of all ages and ethnic background.
Music is their language. They are a happy friendly group who have made memorable friendships throughout the years.
Clyde Street Band
Newcastle Band ClydeStreet with10yrs together ensemble style, show flair & versatility that has been honed to a tight mix of jazz, contemporary, country & original numbers. Add a variety of instruments from harmonica to banjo & drums all spice up our Ukulele roots. ClydeStreet’s lively rhythms, expressive instrumentals always leave the audience wanting more.
Daisy Chains
The Daisy Chains are a chamber ukulele ensemble, playing instrumental music from a range of cultures and genres. Directed by Steph Payne, at Newkelele you can expect to hear pieces by Crowded House, Ennio Morricone, Lana Del Ray, Santana, David Bowie and our Australian ukulele powerhouse composer, Sally Carter. Sooth your ears with beautiful music.
David Hethorn
David Hethorn has been playing ukulele since 1973. Drawing on the pop era of radio station 2SM, his 80s-themed set blends live looping, vocals and original material, shaped by years performing across indie, rock and brass bands.
Exposure therapy
We are a group of friends who just want to play sweet sweet music together (and nothing more!).
Jacki Stuart Choir
A cappella, mixture of world and pop songs.
KUKULELE
Coming to you from Harmonix School of Music in Sydney, KUKULELE is a high-energy trio bringing the biggest hits of the 80s to life. Get ready to sing, dance, and relive an era packed with unforgettable party anthems.
LambLake Ukestra
The LambLake Ukestra is an amalgamation of uke groups led by local music teacher John Wallace. They play a mix of songs old and new, and always try to put a unique spin on the ukulele format. They layer riffs, chords and vocals to create an immersive arrangement.
Leshen
Leshen are a 3-piece prog rock band from Newcastle. They impress with winding, story-driven pieces featuring odd time signatures and key changes. What would normally be an electrified metal show has been stripped back to suit a more relaxed environment. So for the first time ever you'll be able to hear the story behind the music.
Loveridge And Sons
Loveridge And Sons are not your average Ukulele Trio. A all singing family affair with drums, bass and ukulele. They showcase a range of favourite ukulele songs, reimagined in Punk and Disco vibes.
Magpie Hill
Magpie Hill are three joyous souls with a couple ukuleles, big grins, and a set full of quirky originals and offbeat covers. Warm and full of heart, they make music that feels like a chat with your favourite cousin. From songs about ice cream to harmonies that hit just right, they’re the perfect way to ease into your day.
Maitland Pluckers
A free and independent group having fun playing ukulele on Monday nights at the Lorn Park Bowling Club. We play originals and covers that span from the 1920’s to today.
Our musical direction is driven by the players but occasionally influenced by listening to 2NURFM.
Marty Bright
Marty Bright is a one-man show. He combines Tenor Acoustic Uke with husky vocals, up-beat/lighthearted stand up comedy and spoken word poetry.
He has performed across Australia, NZ, USA, Canada, Vietnam and Thailand.You may have seen him at the Cygnet Folk Festival, Nimbin Mardi Grass, Winter Magic Katoomba, Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival.
Melissa Saunders
You don't know what songs are inside a person until they are squeezed & shaken by life. Wise but still joyful, Melissa's songs bring equal measures of sunshine, honey and shadows with a side of nuts. Deceptively simple, delivered with punch. Superbly supported by the ever happy Mick Rippon on U-bass. Blues, alt country with a jump of folk.
Nicholas Loveridge
Singer-songwriter Nicholas Loveridge presents to the world his quirky, independent style of Indie-Folk. Loveridge is a master of fusing high-energy moments with gentle nuances. A new year brings a new perspective, new songs and a new chapter for Loveridge as he explores the profound in the mundane. This is Loveridge.
Ohana
Ohana are a trio who play songs that stray from the norm and take the humble ukulele to new depths of happiness combined sometimes with despair.
Old Hat
They say the good die young, which explains why all three members of Old Hat are still kicking! Despite being doddery, decrepit and in their dotage, these ancient Aussie artistes have a long history of stirring their indomitable spirits to sing, strum and sip strong spirits.
They have fun with their eclectic style of originals and covers, and so will you.
Original Cyn and Co
Cyn has been writing songs for 6 years and has recorded two albums of her songs. As a regular participant in original open mic events in Newcastle, Cyn has developed musical style loosely described as alternate easy-listening. Cyn is joined by Mick Rippon on ubass.
Paula
Paula has a long history of singing and playing guitar in bands, duets and solo. She’s performed folk, jazz and rock. She’s also performed in musical theatre and is proud to say that she once played a broom in Beauty and the Beast. Paula took up the ukulele a few years ago. She loves creating her own covers of songs and will perform a selection of her favourites.
Sally Carter
Sally performs on her high and low G tenor ukuleles. Her music flows from beautiful Campanella tunes and gentle songs to upbeat bluegrass, Celtic, gypsy jazz, jazz and old favourites.
Sally's performances are unique and draw any audience in to the fun of the moment as she showcases her flair for big, bold and brilliant musical manoeuvres.
sophisticateandbetty
sophisticateandbetty are an ambush wrapped in sweet harmony.
Entrenched in the world of folk they deliver a delicate but unbreakable blend of strings and tightly entwined voices. Their penchant for the whimsical and offbeat will have you laughing and crying in the same set. Sometimes in the same song.
Sophisticated Barbarian
Covers of popular pop songs as well as original songs. I can do Elvis songs and some of the songs include: Rise - Edie Verder, Shotgun - George Ezra, Bad Moon Rising - CCR, perfect - Ed Sheeran and Folsom Prison Blues - Johny Cash among others. I have performed a Christmas version of Enter Sandman at Christmas Carols. I play at a lot of local festivals
Strung Out
Strung Out has bass, percussion, uke rhythm and lead players that support 2 vocalists. Our style of music is mainly pop, from the 50's onwards to now. We play styles that includes easy listening to dance numbers. We play for community groups and events and also for Aged Care Centres in the northside of Brisbane. We have 13 members which 6 are here today.
The Emerald Ruby
Award winning flautist, composer and visual artist The Emerald Ruby (Jen Hankin) cares for a nebulous arts practice, materialising whimsical phantasms through sound and sculpture. Her songs and instrumental compositions defy genre, orbiting musical traditions of folk, baroque, jazz, rock and electronics.
The Flukes
The Flukes are a duo from Central Victoria who have been performing together for many years. Amanda Collins and Dave Munro write and perform their own songs, as well as some favourite bangers from last century.
The Song Sisters
An inclusive women's choir, The Song Sisters combine fun, friendship and well-being with exceptional musicality. The choir has a diverse and engaging repertoire that crosses pop, soul and folk. Directed and conducted by Kim Sutherland OAM and accompanied by Terence Koo and percussionist Charissa Ferguson.
The Toasters
The Toasters are a Manning Valley pop-up choir who came together to participate in the Festival of Voices in Hobart in July.
The Toasters are a fun, mixed group who sing four-part arrangements of popular songs, accompanied by guitar and ukulele. They also have some original songs by their musical leader, Susan Stott.
The Toasters aim to entertain!
The Whistler Street UkUlele Revival
Delightful band of renegades in their 8th decade (revivalists from the LSO) delivering a selection of energetic tunes from the 50s to the noughties.
The Wild Women of Anywhere Beach
The Wild Women write and perform their own quirky, comedic originals and rousing and moving environmental anthems for the forests and wildlife: all with fabulous sing-along choruses. They travel the country north to south, east to west, and throw in some creatively re-imagined covers just for fun. You'll definitely have a good time and a good laugh!
Threepence
Threepence are four delightful musicians who love producing harmonies with songs from diverse styles covering Indie music, folk, blues, and originals. They have a feel-good vibe and have taken their vibrant tones to Australian and NZ festivals and folk events over the last 9 years and were nominated for best music group at the 2025 Newcastle Fringe Festival.
Tom the Pom and #1 Son
Ukulele, bass and the harmonies that only a father and son can get.
The lad is heaps good, these days.
Two by Two
4 songs - acoustic guitar and vocals, harmonies.
(Maybe Uke and vocals on one - tbc)
Kevin and Meg’s collaboration came about as they belong to the same fabulous choir: Ukestral voices!!
Ukastle Ukestra
The Ukestra Ukestra is a cross between a ukulele orchestra, a choir and a musical theatre experience from "Hair"! We play original arrangements of songs taken from all genres (including pop, folk, world music and jazz) but send them to new places and back again by arranging them for ukulele and voice.
We believe in giving a show, more than just a collection of songs! We are the local ukulele community of Newcastle welcoming you to share our city!
Uke Dirty Rats
With a combined age of over 220 years it could be assumed that this trio has had the time to develop an act full of dignified music of genteel whimsy. That assumption is wrong. Be prepared for our usual conglomeration of parodies, covers and originals. Fresh from a sellout season at the Lambton Bowling Club, the Uke Dirty Rats are ready to rumble.
Ukestral Voices
This is a local community choir that enjoys blending vocals with ukulele, bass, and percussion. We put together four to five part harmony arrangements of songs (World Music, Folk, and Contemporary), that are reinvented and reimagined…
Under the leadership of Jane Jelbart and Mark Jackson this choir likes to entertain you; involve you in their gig and entice you to sing along! It’s a rich vocal sound with an underpinning of arpeggios and lead riffs.
Valla Beach Garage Band
The Valla Beach Garage Band meets weekly in Valla Beach and also includes online members from Cairns, Atherton, Lennox Head, Armidale and Sydney. We play original, folk and contemporary instrumental ensembles in 3 to 5 parts. We sing great songs with riffs and vocal harmonies, and play some traditional chord melodies. We'd love to share our music with you.
Wednesday Elementals
WE: Wednesday Elementals, an inclusive community group that meets at Toronto on Wednesdays. We enjoy sharing a wide range of music and morning tea. We feature ukuleles, percussion, bass, glockenspiel, guitar and cakes.
Wyndukes Ukestra
Wyndukes are a ukulele community band based in Altona, Victoria.
We play contemporary songs, “ukestrated” by Steph Payne with riffs, chord strumming/picking and vocal harmonies. From the latest Bruno Mars release and Aussie pop/rock classics to a brooding Tom Waits lament, we are here to explore the ukulele's sound palette!