Musicland author talk with Tricia Shantz

Discover the extraordinary story of the musicians, studios and live venues that placed Byron Bay at the heart of Australian music during the 1970s and ’80s.

Byron Bay Library will welcome author Tricia Shantz for a special conversation about her new book, Musicland: When the Music Came to Byron 1970–1995.

During this influential era, touring bands travelled the east coast between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, stopping to perform in Byron Bay, Bangalow and Lismore. Cold Chisel, The Angels, Mi-Sex, INXS, Midnight Oil, Mondo Rock, Australian Crawl, Split Enz, Redgum, Goanna and Richard Clapton were among the artists who visited the region, with many recording at the legendary Music Farm Studio in Coorabell.

Drawing on 80 interviews and 80 stories, Musicland captures the voices of musicians including Richard Clapton, Shane Howard, Rob Hirst, John Schumann, Tim Farriss and Reg Mombassa. The book follows Shantz’s earlier release, Neverland: American and Australian Surfers in Byron Bay in the 1960s & 1970s, and was launched at the 2026 Byron Writers Festival.

“It’s so great to have a comprehensive record of the contributions that Northern Rivers musicians and studios made to the Australian music canon. So many stories, so many big personalities,” musician Bernard Fanning said.

Shantz will be joined in conversation by journalist and broadcaster Mick O’Regan, author and musician Rusty Miller and Byron Bay Blues Festival co-founder Keven Oxford. Together, they will revisit the people, places and stories that helped make Byron the “Laurel Canyon of Australia”.

The conversation will be followed by an audience Q&A. Light refreshments will be served and copies of Musicland will be available to purchase.

When: Thursday 29 October 2026, 3–4.30pm
Where: Byron Bay Library
Cost: Free
Bookings: Essential, as places are limited. Book online or call 6685 8540.