The Lowie’s Tartan Hillbilly Hogmanay at The Lomond Hotel

Harmaniax

Harmaniax are Australia's premier Cajun/Zydeco band. The six piece band bring their individual musical talents and experiences playing at festivals such as Port Fairy, Folk Rhythm and Life, Thredbo Blues, Nhil Music Fest, Newport Folk Festival and Cobargo Folk Festival.

They are fast becoming one of Melbourne’s worst kept secrets with a residency at Bar Open, regular spots at the Rainbow Hotel, The Royal Oak, The Pinnacle and north side’s favourite pub, the Lomond. The music appeals to all ages and has a visual experience you won't forget.

They know how to make a crowd smile. Their humour, fun and musical style brings people to the dance floor so bring your dance shoes.

Billy Abbott (Crawfish Dave, Dili Allstars)

Paul Jonas (Pheasant Pluckers, Fire & Theft to name a couple)

Nick Thorpe (Prayerbabies)

Geoff Le Blanc (the Cajun Aces)

Paul Dalby (Prayerbabies)

Louis King and the Lairs Klub

Louis King (akaTommy McEwan) has been a full time musician and fixture in the Australian music world, since he came to notoriety as a young drummer in The Rubes in the 1980’s. He played in well known Aussie acts like the Straight 8’s and No Nonsense , as well as backing musician stints with touring acts Deke Dickerson, Starliners, The Detonators, and has even played drums for The UK’s Extrordinaires.

Louis King (akaTommy McEwan) has been at the top of the music scene in Australia since his first CD as Louis King was released in 1996. His original mix of Blues, Rock’N’Roll and Rockabilly songwriting style has been noted worldwide by luminaries such as Billy Pennell, T.V Weeks Jeff Jenkins, the U.S Blues bible “Blues Review’, as well as Rolling Stone magazine.

He has toured all over Australia, including major festivals such as the East Coast Festival in Byron Bay five times, as well as Bridgetown Cairns and Broadbeach Blues festivals.He has also toured Europe 10 times, performing at the Great British Blues Festival, Brezoi Blues festival, Kwadendamme Blues Festival in the Netherlands and The Screamin’ Festival in Spain.

2017 saw him perform in The U.S.A at the prestigious Viva LasVegas festival as a guest at Deke Dickersons Guitar geek Festival. His songs have been covered by artists including New Orleans favourite son Rockin’ Dopsie Jr, The Flattrackers, Cherry Divine ,and the UK’s Summertime Kings, and also been included in the soundtrack of a Hollywood movie in conjunction with Australian television shows Packed to the Rafters and Underbelly. His band has been the featured support act for B.B King, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan and Screamin’ J Hawkins

Mandy Connell

Mandy Connell is a Lomond Local, now flown the coop for Castlemaine on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. The former frontwoman of trad folk 5 piece Stray Hens, Connell is featured on records by Above the Bit, 2016 Best Album Winner David Francey, and has released two of her own long play works, produced by Tom Wright (Nancy Kerr, Martin Simpson) and Myles Mumford.

Winner of the 2005 Declan Affley Award, and lauded by Tony McManus, Eric Bogle and many more, the songwriter is also famous for her work in celebrating other artists, particularly in her creative direction of free YouTube series An Otherwise Quiet Room.