The Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival (NSW Australia) in February each year is attended by 100+ ukulele aficionados from Newcastle.
In 2025 around 55 of us performed with the Ukastle Ukestra, thrilling a packed audience with a thunderstorm laden show. Midst thunderclaps and lightning in the carpark marquee, we sang songs from the 60s, 70s etc, to the song that won the 2025 Hottest 100. We like to work across genres and eras, trying to stretch and adapt our ability to have a musical community whilst not falling too heavily into poorly played nostalgic holes.
Below you’ll find videos of each of the 6 songs, with the occasional commentary.
The Bangin’ Opener – Son of a Preacher Man
Our first song was made famous in 1968 by Dusty Springfield. Jo Maunsell (late of the renowned Australian choir Cafe of the Gate of Salvation) lead, with backing vocals from Ruth McCrae, Rob Preece and Mark Jackson. Note the lead lines played on electrified ukes amplified through Spark Mini amps.
Performance tip! Don’t rely on music stands, have little cards (which you shouldn’t rely on too much either); and watch Jane! She is signing chords, and holding the vibe (and timing) together down the front.
The Second Banger with The Professor – Heroes by David Bowie
How good is he! Maybe some dodgy notes at times, but Professor Jeff is one lovely performer. Subbing for David Bowie ain’t the easiest job in the world, especially when accompanied by a bunch of ukulele players.
On the Sparks we had lead ukeleists Heather Kember, Will Sands and Kathy Wilson. These little gem machines were vital for getting that Robert Fripp/Mick Ronson sound in Heroes, whilst Jeff Hogan held the lead vocal. Professor Jeff cut his performance teeth at 8 years old, singing Ernie the Fastest Milkman in the West for his parents’ 1970s cocktail parties. Jeff was ably supported by a whole tentful of passionate vocalists with, again, a special mention for Rob Preece. The violin playing of Carol Sanders (sadly hidden behind a speaker) helped make the very full sound of this titanic rock anthem.
Good Luck, Babe! Ruth!
The ever reliable and beloved voice of Ruth McCrae takes the lead on this challenging vocal stretching across a couple of octaves. Ruth has been singing with the Ukestra at BMUF for well over a decade. She is also another alumni from the prestigious afore-mentioned COTGOS.
We weren’t to know that we are perhaps the most current and contemporary community ukulele group in the world. Yes, we heard, enjoyed and started learning Chappell Roan’s Good Luck Babe in mid 2024, but then the song went on to win the TripleJ Hottest 100 in January 2025!
Performance tip: Have a good time-keeper/drummer. Throughout all of our songs we are fortunate to have great and solid accompaniment from Bec Regalo and Holly Dillon on the cajon (plugged into the PA), even to the point (sometimes) of self-injury. (We do not advocate this). Pop and rock songs in a ukestra really need that extra oomph and drive, and we are grateful to Bec and Holly for that.
Golden Star by Middle Kids
Lauren Bendeich shoehorned her way into our hearts with a fabulous and demure debut. Lauren suggested this gorgeous song from 2021 – Golden Star by Sydneysider indie band Middle Kids. It was Lauren’s first time doing a lead vocal on a big stage, and we are pretty sure she enraptured the audience with her lovely voice and confident performance. She certainly did that to all her bandmates. Note that the riffs are all just built around little C major scale runs. Ruth McCrae also chips in with a subtle and fine harmony. Kathy Wilson does a sweet solo while Rob Preece fills out the dulcet tones of the song with some tasty blues harp.
Wish You Were Here
In many people’s books, attempting a ukulele group performance of Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd would be madness. But we think we did it justice! With a great singer, disciplined mobs of ukers (largely doing single chord thumb strums) accompanying a few dedicated and reliable amplified lead ukuleists. Emily Thomas is our resident rock chick, and managed to be restrained (as is the vibe of the song) yet deliver impeccably (as we expect from her always). How could anyone tell that this professional was a last minute stand-in to make up for the absence of the allocated lead singer. Thanks so much Emily!
Amongst the lead players, Heather Kember took on the difficult Uke Two role, and excelled. We are grateful to her efforts for actually practising, and making the song something very special. We believe Will Sands might’ve been coached along by Heather as well whilst Kathy Wilson underpinned the Uke One role. It also bears mentioning that there are other lead players amongst the unamplified uke mob, and they play an important supportive role (both moral and audio-wise) for those who can be heard better.
Into the Mystic
We finished our set with Will Sands relaxing into one of Van Morrison’s less well known songs. We’ve done this at a couple of festivals now, and as is our wont, it will now be retired from our set list. Yet again though, there are some lovely easy ukulele parts that separate the chaff from the strummeti strum, and which allow Will to use his fabulous voice and charm to deliver in spades. Once again Carol Sanders supports the riff melody with her lovely violin playing.
Performance tip for group leaders: Have separate parts to which ukulele players of different competencies can contribute, and rise to their own challenge. This even goes for Matilda (small child down the front left) who is being coached by her Mum (Lisa – with Charlotte on her back) to not be afraid of performing. She can’t play a note, but exuding cuteness is clearly her main skill development commitment.
Thanks to:
- Jane Jelbart for conducting whilst still recovering from hip surgery
- Mark Jackson for organising the videos, playing bass, and being MC.
- Heather Stevens for reliably turning the video camera on and off etc.
- All of the ukestrans who put in big efforts to learn their parts and to dress and perform colourfully.
- Our stunning array of enchanting lead and harmony singers – Ruth McCrae, Jeff Hogan, Jo Maunsell, Emily Thomas, Will Sands, Lauren Bendeich and Rob Preece.
- Our plugged in lead ukeleists – Heather Kember, Kathy Wilson and Will Sands. There are other notable lead players in amongst the mob, though sadly not amplified. Thanks to them also for learning and applying their skills to the general sound.
- Carol Sanders on violin for a couple of songs.
- Bec Regalo and Holly Dillon on cajon.