FIRST LINE-UP
announced for
BLUES ON BROADBEACH MUSIC FEST ‘18
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FIVE INTERNATIONAL ACTS
SET TO PERFORM AT
BLUES ON BROADBEACH (May 17-20, 2018)
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17 years after its humble beginnings, the multi-award winning Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival driven by Frizelle Sunshine has grown to become an event of international standing, boasting a stellar local and international line-up, and what’s more…it doesn’t cost a cent to attend. That’s right – it’s completely FREE!
The May 2018 event features a packed line-up including five international acts and more than 20 Australian favourites, with more still to be announced:
Five time Grammy Award winner and Blues Hall of Famer ROBERT CRAY will be returning to Australia with his band after more than a decade. During the 90s the Cray Band was featured in concert with artists like Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, John Lee Hooker, BB King and Bonnie Raitt, who declared that the band puts on one of the best shows you’ll ever see.
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“It’s been a while since we’ve been Down Under,” Cray said, “We’re really looking forward to coming back.”
Included in this massive line-up, Blues on Broadbeach is pleased to present recent Stax Records signees SOUTHERN AVENUE, in partnership with Memphis Travel. Hailing from the home of the Blues, they have been lauded ‘the most talked about band in Memphis’, and are visiting Australia for the first time to perform exclusively at Blues on Broadbeach.
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Chris Ingram, Director of Memphis Travel, said, “From the home of the Blues and birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll, I am proud and excited that we will be partnering with Blues on Broadbeach in 2018 and look forward to bringing to Australia from Beale Street, Memphis, the sounds of SOUTHERN AVENUE. The city is an authentic and vibrant destination characterised by music and mouth-watering barbecue, and is full of one of a kind experiences. We look forward to sharing with you the sound and flavour of Memphis.”
Another act visiting from the USA are blues infused rockers KID CONGO AND THE PINK MONKEY BIRDS. A founding member of The Gun Club, and erstwhile guitarist for legendary psycho-billy purveyors The Cramps, as well as Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, the legendary Kid Congo Powers has garage blues punk swagger in spades. After selling out rooms across the country on visits in 2015 and 2016, Kid Congo and the band are bringing their mix of fuzz guitars, New Orleans drum beats and bass lines dripping with soul to Blues on Broadbeach 2018.
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Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) Chief Executive Officer Leanne Coddington said the event will host a world-class line up. “The announcement of the five international acts will have broad appeal for next year’s festival, as well as showcasing great quality local acts,” Ms Coddington said. “The atmosphere of this event is always fantastic and TEQ is proud to support it as part of our It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.”
The 2018 festival is also hosting another special event, with proud partner The Star Gold Coast offering blues fans a free and exclusive concert, with the chance to get up-close and intimate with music legend JON STEVENS. The New Zealand star, formerly of Noiseworks, Jesus Christ Superstar and INXS fame, has recently teamed up with Dave Stewart from Eurythmics to record his new album, Starlight.
Following packed out concerts for Diesel and Russell Morris for the 2016 and 2017 festivals, The Star is excited to once again be hosting the free event with JON STEVENS taking the stage in the Theatre on Friday May 18. While the concert is free, seating will be allocated with ticketing information to be released in the new year.
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The line-up also includes iconic Australian rock band THE SCREAMING JETS, playing on the Surf Parade Stage on the Saturday night of the festival. The band boasts three ARIA top five albums, as well as featuring one of Australia’s most talented and best-known guitarists, Jimi Hocking.
Festival Director Mark Duckworth said, “It’s great to see how much the Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival has progressed. The program continues to expand with more international acts, and venues like The Star contributing to the festival’s growth.”
With more than 161,000 visitors last year, the event provided a $20 million economic boost to the region, as well as winning ‘Best Regional Event QLD’ and ‘Best Tourism Event QLD’ in 2017.
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Each year Blues on Broadbeach is a highlight on Queensland’s calendar of events, and with both the Commonwealth Games and The Logies set to be held there in the coming year, the Gold Coast is fast becoming one of Australia’s premier entertainment hubs. The festival highlights the best parts of the Sunshine State, with 20 performance areas both on the stunning beachfront and throughout the vibrant streets of Broadbeach, amazing food at local bars and restaurants, and activities for all ages throughout the festival precinct. The first announcement of the line-up also features five acts from the Gold Coast and surrounds, showcasing Australia’s best local talent to its thousands of daily visitors.
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For more information visit
Blues On Broadbeach
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