Melbourne Cup Lunch 2016

Fletcher Pilon

Fletcher Pilon, often known as Fletch, is a young Australian Singer/Songwriter from the Central Coast.

He has performed to millions of viewers on various stages with his most notable accomplishment to date being named Winner of Australia's Got Talent in 2016.

He was due to open for Cody Simpson in 2015 on his Gold Coast and Sydney shows when his little brother, Banjo, tragically passed away the same week after a skating accident. Fletcher soon released his independent debut EP titled "Banjo" dedicated to his little brother. The EP went to number 1 on the Singer/Songwriter i-Tunes charts and so too did his single "Infinite Child."

Rai Thistlethwayte

Rai Thistlethwayte (born 19 April 1980 in Sydney) is an Australian rock, pop and jazz musician and songwriter.

Rai is an accomplished pianist, guitarist, and vocalist. He is the lead singer and primary songwriter in the Australian pop rock band Thirsty Merc. Since 2004, Thirsty Merc have released a string of hits in the Australian Music Charts including "In The Summertime", "Someday, Someday", "20 Good Reasons", "Those Eyes", "Emancipate Myself", "Wasting Time," "My Completeness", "When The Weather Is Fine", "The Hard Way", "Homesick", "Mousetrap Heart", "Tommy And Krista" and "All My Life". He is currently based in Los Angeles. As a solo artist, Rai performs under the name 'Sun Rai.'

SARAH MCLEOD

As the lead singer/guitarist and primary songwriter for 3x ARIA Award winning rock band The Superjesus, Sarah McLeod’s successful career began in the late 90s.

The Superjesus achieved Platinum album sales and multiple Top 40 singles including “Gravity”, “Down Again” and “Secret Agent Man” which are still rock radio staples nationally. 

When The Superjesus hiatus began in the early 2000s, Sarah’s solo career soared. Releasing a number of EP’s and collaborations with The Living End’s Chris Cheney, The Tea Party’s Jeff Martin, and the Baby Animals’ Mick Skelton, and a side project band called ‘Screaming Bikini’ that solidified her musical ability across a range of genre’s including hard rock, singer/songwriter, 50s & 60s barber shop and electronica.

Sarah’s collaborations with DJ’s from all over the globe resulted in her single “He Doesn’t Love You” topping the dance charts at #1 in Eastern Europe for 16 weeks. 

Living in London and New York before returning to Australia to reform The Superjesus to an overwhelming response, Sarah continues to uphold her reputation as a musical force, nominated for “Frontman/woman Of The Year” in Triple M’s 2015 Rockies Awards amidst heavyweights Dave Grohl and Jimmy Barnes.

Following a series of sold out “She Who Rocks” tour dates, a new release from The Superjesus imminent and a new solo record in the works, Sarah McLeod has proven to be of Australia’s most talented and versatile artists.

Catch Sarah McLeod live on her ‘Alone & Unplugged’ tour though July and August 2016 to hear the songs that have defined her journey, up close and personal.

Thirsty Merc

THIRSTY MERC are one of Australia’s finest live acts and their songs have become part of the fabric of Australia’s music DNA! 

This year, Thirsty Merc mark a 10-year milestone since the release of their self-titled double platinum debut LP with the announcement of their Acoustic Anniversary Album and national tour. Dubbed AAA the album is a collection of acoustic interpretations of fan favourites including ‘20 Good Reasons’, ‘In The Summertime’, ‘Someday Someday’, and ‘Mousetrap Heart’. These new recordings showcase the band’s exemplary level of musicianship and hearing these well-known with acoustic production highlights the world-class song writing ability of Rai Thistlethwayte.

Having released three critically acclaimed albums. Over 200,000 album sales under their belt, a finalist in the APRA Song of the Year for ‘20 Good Reasons’ (which also reached #1 on iTunes in Australia) and three ARIA nominations, Thirsty Merc have found their way into the fabric of Australia’s musical landscape.

Steve Kilbey

Since arriving in Australia half a century ago, Steve Kilbey has forged a unique and frighteningly individual stream of musical thoughts.

A songwriter of many musical tongues, from the sprawling guitar thunderstorms of the church to the opiated dronescapes and psychedelic vision of his solo recordings and paintings, Steve Kilbey has created an all-embracing artistic universe of unearthly beauty.

A dreamer of great sonic spaces and intimate solo performer. Steve has recently appeared as a guest singer with The Triffids and Friends in A Secret In The Shape of a Song concerts in Melbourne and Perth and on tour in the Hunter Valley on the Leonard Cohen tour in 2009. These are some of many collaborations with his peers that include GB3 and Martin Kennedy.

Steve Kilbey continues to evolve through his craft as a vocalist, songwriter, poet, artist, actor, writer and guitarist bringing all his talents together for unique and instinctive performances. Head to www.thetimebeing.com for a taste of what’s to come.