Esteemed musician and founder of the renowned Nimbin Roots Festival, Lou Bradley, is bringing an exciting musical venture to the heart of Mullumbimby. The inaugural Mullum Roots Festival is scheduled to take place in July 2025, promising a vibrant celebration of music, community, and sustainability.
Following the hiatus of the beloved Mullumbimby Music Festival in 2020, Lou saw an opportunity to fill the void and revive the town’s rich musical tradition. “The absence of the Mullumbimby Music Festival has been deeply felt within our community,” said Lou. “We aim to create a sister festival to the Nimbin Roots Festival, injecting new life into Mullumbimby’s cultural landscape.”
Lou, and her husband Phil, both share deep roots in Mullumbimby, and she is determined to collaborate closely with the local community to ensure the festival’s success. Having nurtured their own musical careers while raising their family in the hills of Mullum, the couple are passionate about rejuvenating their hometown with the power of music.
Drawing from her extensive experience as a songwriter and performer, including being an ARIA finalist, as well as her nine-year tenure leading the Nimbin Roots Festival, Lou is well-equipped to orchestrate a successful event in Mullumbimby. Joining her is seasoned music industry veteran Jon O’Rourke, bringing over three decades of expertise as a record label owner, manager, and producer.
“We understand the intricacies of curating a memorable festival experience,” said Jon. “Our goal is to deliver a world-class event while upholding principles of sustainability and accessibility.”
World famous artist, Reg Mombasa, who is also a band member of Dog Trumpet, loved performing at last year’s Nimbin Festival so much that he created the artwork for this year’s event and he has also designed the artwork for the inaugural Mullum Roots Festival.
To unveil the Mullum Roots Festival concept, a special concert featuring Robert Forster (The Go Betweens), will take place on August 4 at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club, starting at 7:00 pm.
