Multi Grammy Award winner Robert Cray closed out the 17th annual Blues on Broadbeach in fine style last night in what was a bumper year for one of Australia’s largest free music festivals. With perfect weather and stellar acts filling the streets, parks and restaurants with visitors from around the country Broadbeach shone in brilliant glory with blue skies, blue ocean and some of the best blues music from Australia and around the world.
Last year the festival injected $20 million into the local economy, and with accommodation occupancy at 90% before the event kicked off on Thursday, businesses in the precinct have been bursting at the seams with early predictors suggesting record numbers close to 170,000 people across the four-day festival.
The family friendly atmosphere that Blues on Broadbeach is renowned for was again a highlight this year, with Queensland police reporting great behaviour and no major incidents across the four days, with happy patrons and happy artists sharing the love of music on stage and off.
Robert Cray closed the main stage in spectacular style
And it wasn’t just the crowds who loved the 2018 Blues on Broadbeach…
Blues on Broadbeach from the performers’ perspective
“Blues on Broadbeach is, simply put, a perfect festival. Anyone hoping to organize an event of their own ought to take heed of what’s happening here. People are happy onstage and off. Blues, blue ocean, and blue skies. What more could anyone want?” – Eilen Jewell (USA)
“It was fantastic looking out over a sea of smiling faces enjoying the sounds…. it was very inspiring!” – Robert Cray (USA)
“My time at Blues on Broadbeach has shown to me how much the art of blues is supported by Australians. From the demands of organising such a world-class event, to the real, emotional connection between artist and audience…Broadbeach is in a league all its own. It has been a thrill to perform at such a top-shelf festival.”
– Charlie A’Court (CAN)
“Blues on Broadbeach is an amazing festival. It’s the perfect combination of great music and even better people. We loved every minute of it.” – Southern Avenue (USA)
“Broadbeach is a true celebration of Australian blues that gives us all the opportunity to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the genre, in a world class environment.” – Lloyd Spiegel
“I’ve had the good fortune to attend Blues on Broadbeach many times as an audience member, and I love the energy it brings to the place. The streets come alive with music and the atmosphere is jubilant – that’s the power of the blues. It was a real privilege to be on the lineup this year and experience it all from up on stage! Playing a bucket-list gig in your hometown to an audience of the truest music fans is a supreme honour.” – Karl S. Williams
Unsurprisingly, due to the massive numbers that Blues on Broadbeach continues to attract, 2018 saw the largest cohort of sponsors since the festivals inception in 2002.
“Without our sponsors Blues on Broadbeach would not be the international festival it has become,” said Jan McCormick, CEO Broadbeach Alliance. “A special thanks to those sponsors who have so steadfastly supported us; without their support we simply could not present the major national and international artists we do, that see people getting on planes and flying in to experience the uniqueness of Blues on Broadbeach.”
Backsliders rocked out the Surf Parade Stage on Sunday night
The sun set last night on a bumper main stage line-up, including one of Australia’s greatest Blues outfits, Backsliders, who warmed up a huge crowd for US headliner and multi-Grammy Award winner The Robert Cray Band. Surf Parade was packed to the rafters, while visitors to the Kurrawa Park stage picnicked and grooved along to international legends Kid Congo and the Pink Monkey Birds.
The Kurrawa Park Stage was popular in the sunshine
Overall, the event proved to be a huge success in bringing tourism and world-class entertainment to the Gold Coast, keeping the ball rolling following the buzz of the Commonwealth Games.
…And while the Broadbeach precinct rides the wave of this massive event, Broadbeach Alliance is knuckling down to bring the next huge party to town – Groundwater Country Music Festival. The festival will be up and running from July 27-29, and will feature major award winners at the recent Golden Guitars and CMC Awards, THE McCLYMONTS, US stars SUZANNE VEGA, GRANGER SMITH, LILLIE MAE and JOSHUA HEDLEY, along with Aussie icon BILL CHAMBERS, multi-award winners JAMES BLUNDELL, ADAM HARVEY and O’SHEA, crowd favourites AMBER LAWRENCE, TROY KEMP and CASEY BARNES, plus many more.
