Late Nights, Live Jazz and Vintage Glamour at The Byron Speakeasy
Karise Eden
A New Summer Tradition Returns: The Byron Speakeasy Announces 2026 Lineup
This January, Byron Bay will once again slip behind the velvet curtain as The Byron Speakeasy returns for its second season with a six-night celebration of world-class music, vintage glamour and after-dark summer magic.
The Byron Theatre will be transformed into a luxurious cabaret as The Byron Speakeasy reimagines the classic prohibition-era nightclub for a modern audience: candlelit tables, late-night cocktails, playful decadence and an atmosphere that invites people to slow down, lean in and savour the moment.
Event producer Jon Howell says the Speakeasy was created as a refuge from Byron’s busy summer:
“We wanted to carve out a space where the night feels special again - where you can escape the crowds, hear extraordinary musicians up close and actually connect with the people you’re with. For many visitors and locals, it became the highlight of their January. This year, we’re taking it further.”
The 2026 program brings a stunning mix of featured artists:
Nicki Parrott – internationally celebrated jazz bassist and vocalist.
Brendan MacLean – magnetic, bold and brilliantly theatrical, with a sound that’s impossible to categorise.
Pat Powell - Blues, Jazz, Reggae, Funk or Ska, Pat has a voice that will take you on a journey you hope never ends.Karise Eden – an incomparable Blues-Soul vocalist whose emotional intensity has captivated audiences nationwide.
Hussy Hicks – The Northern Rivers local legends known for their virtuosic musicianship and powerhouse vocals.
Emma Pask – one of Australia’s most iconic jazz voices, blending elegance with effortless charm.
Each evening at The Byron Speakeasy is curated as a stand-alone experience - a different headliner, a unique mood and a soundtrack that moves seamlessly from intimate cabaret moments to dance-floor energy as the night unfolds.
Whether you're a long-time local seeking something more refined than the usual holiday chaos, or a summer visitor searching for the must-do Byron experience, The Byron Speakeasy offers a night out unlike anything else in the region.
Tickets are limited and expected to sell quickly. Step inside the secret world of The Byron Speakeasy - where music, cocktails and summer nights collide.
Visit www.thebyronspeakeasy.com for tickets and info.
Event Details
What: The Byron Speakeasy
Where: Byron Theatre, 69 Jonson Street, Byron Bay
When: January 2–10, 2026
Lineup:
January 2: Nicki Parrott
January 3: Brendan MacLean
January 7: Pat Powell
January 8: Hussy Hicks
January 9: Karise Eden
January 10: Emma Pask
Tickets: www.thebyronspeakeasy.com
About the Artists
January 2: Nicki Parrott
“...a rarity, a first-class bassist whose playing is as sublime as her vocals.” Limelight
Born in Newcastle, Australia, Nicki started her musical training at age four with the piano and flute. Nicki switched to double bass at the age of 15. After graduating high school she moved to Sydney to study jazz at the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music where she was granted funds by the Arts Council to study in New York with Rufus Reid.
Nicki was bassist and vocalist for the legendary Les Paul for over 10 years. As part of the Les Paul Trio, Nicki worked side-by-side with guitar greats from Paul McCartney, Steve Miller to fellow Aussie, Tommy Emmanuel.
In addition, she performed in many Broadway shows and at most of the world's top jazz venues and festivals including The Jazz Cruise and sold-out performances at Birdland and Dizzy’s in NYC. Nicki has performed with such jazz greats as Clark Terry, Joe Wilder, Scott Hamilton, Bucky Pizzarelli, Dick Hyman, Michel Legrand, Houston Person and Arif Mardin, to name just a few.
She has recorded over two dozen vocal records for Venus Records (Japan, Arbors Records (USA) and Ooroo Records (USA/AU).
January 3: Brendan MacLean
Brendan Maclean is an award winning singer-songwriter and beloved star of the stage and screen, known for his lyrical wit, remarkable stage presence and power house vocals.
With nothing but a handful of demos to his name, Maclean was cast alongside Marcia Hines in the smash hit cabaret Velvet in 2013 which toured for three years locally and abroad. He then made his film debut as Klipspringer in Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby and released his first single Stupid (8,000,000+ streams) quickly being snapped up as a songwriter by Universal Publishing. Maclean has since gone on to release five EP’s and two original ARIA charting albums.
More recently Brendan had a superstar run as the titular roles in Jekyll & Hyde The Musical and enjoyed a break-out part opposite Hugo Weaving as a prison-kitchen-hand in the feature film How To Make Gravy winning him his first AACTA award.
Brendan has collaborated with a myriad of impressive acts including Kate Miller-Heidke, Alan Cumming, Meg Washington, Paul Mac and Hot Dub Time Machine playing prestigious venues such as The Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, The Sidney Myer Music Bowl, The Hordern and taking his own works to New York’s Joe’s Pub and The Lincoln Centre.
January 7: Pat Powell
Few voices in Australia tell a story like Pat Powell’s. With a career spanning more than four decades and genres from soul and jazz to ska, reggae and funk, Pat has become one of the most distinctive and sought-after performers on the scene. His voice — warm, agile and unmistakably soulful — has earned him spots on stage and in the studio alongside Kylie Minogue, Paul Kelly, James Morrison, Jenny Morris, The Finn Brothers, Margaret Urlich, Max Q, and many more.
A longtime member of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Pat has toured nationally and internationally, bringing his signature energy, humour and groove to audiences around the world. His catalogue of collaborations reaches across genres and generations, cementing him as a connector, a collaborator and a true musical chameleon.
Whether fronting a big-band, leading a reggae rhythm section into a deep pocket, or easing into a late-night jazz standard, Pat commands the stage with authenticity and effortless cool. He is, quite simply, one of Australia’s most enduring and versatile voices — and a performer who brings heart and history to ever.
January 8: Hussy Hicks
Hussy Hicks is an Australian duo known for their genre-blending sound, merging blues, folk, rock, and roots music with a focus on authenticity and powerful live performances. Leesa Gentz’s soaring vocals and Julz Parker’s insane guitar work are at the heart of their electrifying sound, combining to create a dynamic musical experience.
Since their formation in 2006, Hussy Hicks have built a loyal fanbase, with their latest album, Swimming in Uncertainty, reaching #1 on the ARIA Jazz & Blues Chart and topping the AIR Independent Album Chart. The album’s raw energy and emotionally charged songwriting have cemented their place in the independent music scene.
January 9: Karise Eden
“ Like a fine wine, she’s becoming even more compelling as time goes on.” (Sounds of Oz, 2022)
Shooting to fame at the age of 19 with a viral audition video that now has over 50 million views on YouTube, Karise Eden has arguably one of Australia’s most distinctive voices, with two ARIA Awards, gold and platinum records and multiple Top 5 positions in the ARIA and AIR charts.
Often compared with the likes of Adele and Amy Winehouse, the formidable singer-songwriter’s first indie release in 2022, “Into The Black” also featured an AIR No. 1 single.
Karise’s performances see her armed with her guitar and a songbook of her own originals plus her own twist on some classics that have influenced her musical journey throughout her career.
From blues to soul, rock to power pop, country to Americana, this girl can tackle any genre with authenticity, because to put it simply, she’s got the music in her!
January 10: Emma Pask
Award winning vocalist Emma Pask has firmly established herself as one of Australia’s favourite voices in Jazz.
Her effortless honest stage presence combined with her powerful vocal ability, leaves audiences spellbound and inspired whenever she takes to the stage.
While Emma’s voice and style are unique, and individually her own, her performances are reminiscent of the classic era of jazz, when swing was top of the charts. Her talent was first spotted by internationally renowned Jazz great James Morrison, when she was just 16 years old. She joined his band as the lead vocalist at 16, and went on to spend a solid 20 years touring the world with Morrison.
She has sung in London at The Queen Elizabeth Hall with the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Performed in China with The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra,
Auckland with the NZ Philharmonic, and with the WA Symphony Orchestra in Perth. She has received rave reviews for her performances in Uruguay, South America, and is a regular at the prestigious Ascona Jazz Festival in Switzerland. With Latin Superstar Ricky Martin singing her praises on series 2 of The Voice Australia, you won’t want to miss her live.
Despite her achievements and the international recognition of her talent, Emma retains her natural, refreshing and unpretentious, positive approach to life.
Jazz virtuoso James Morrison says of Emma,
“Whilst it’s fashionable to be a jazz singer these days, she is the real thing!”