about us

nightshift origins

The NightShift was originally formed by a few local Cairns friends including Dave Dow & Will Kepa with a common interest – the love of music.  

Danny joined the Band in 2015, and when Will Kepa decided to move south after starting a family, Danny took over the band.

The Nightshift Cairns have had the privilege of opening many different ceremonies including Ironman Cairns, Commonwealth Games 2018 and Cairns Indigenous Art Festival. 

The NightShift Cairns regularly perform at Cairns top live music venues including Bar36, Pier Bar, Rattle N Hum, PJ O’Briens, The Jack, Salthouse, Gilligans, The Courthouse Port Douglas and many more.  

The NightShift Cairns perform 100% live all of the time, with no backing tracks, and have been on the local scene for many years now, and can work with you to provide an awesome entertainment at your next event –  Weddings, Corporate Gigs OR Private Functions.

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danny bani- Lead guitar/lead vocals

Danny Bani is from the Wagadagam tribe of Mabuyag Island in the Torres Strait region, just off the tip of top of Australia. Growing up in a musical extended family, he progressed from singing on the veranda to local performances on Thursday Island and is now living and performing full time around Cairns, Port Douglas and the Tablelands, occasionally travelling Queensland and interstate for Weddings, Corporate gigs and special occasions. Danny specialises in several musical genres — Modern classics through to New Age, as well as Rhythm & Blues; Reggae and Hip-Hop — and he has recorded an album, ‘db’, featuring original songs. He also sings for recording sessions and has acted in a radio play series; recorded for Arts Queensland and Torres Strait Regional Authority projects; and recently featured on an album blending traditional and contemporary music, ‘Kodangu’, with male members of his family including his father, uncle and brothers. Such projects highlight Danny Bani’s strong interest in and connection to the use of traditional knowledge and Torres Strait Islander cultural practices in a contemporary world. Danny is available for Solo, Duo and Band bookings - so be sure to book to lock in your next event.

Dimple bani- Drums

Dimple Bani Jr, is Danny's older brother, also from the Wagadagam tribe of Mabuyag Island in the Torres Strait. Dimple lives in Cairns and is playing music full-time as the drummer for The Nightshift, Dimple has travelled around the country working with different artists playing cocktail bars, corporate functions, festivals and musical productions. Dimple plays a variety of genres including pop, jazz, reggae, latin/samba, country, RnB and contemporary music.

lester Vaele- piano/keys

An accomplished musician, Lester has been playing music in the Cairns region for many years. Lester has strong roots in RnB, Blues, Funk and Soul.