New Orleans based Grammy Award-winning musician Jon Cleary will be gracing the Blues on Broadbeach stage this May, announced as part of a stacked second line-up that will also feature the revered Hi Rhythm Section, considered by some as the best musicians Memphis has ever produced.
They’ll be joined by Melburnian roots-rocker Dallas Frasca, three-piece NSW band Chase The Sun and dozens more, bolstering an already explosive bill that includes blues-rock legends Melissa Etheridge (USA), Samantha Fish & Jesse Dayton (USA) and Ana Popovic (USA) as well as Eric Bibb (USA) and returning local talent Lloyd Spiegel.
The now iconic Gold Coast festival has pulled out all the stops in 2024 presenting one of its strongest line-ups to date and is set to drench the beachside city in rhythm and blues over four epic days from 16-19 May. Artists announced in the second line-up are:
Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen (USA)
Dallas Frasca * Chase The Sun
Take Me to the River featuring Hi Rhythm Section with Boo Mitchell (USA)
8 Ball Aitken & Friends – All Star Blues Jam
Karl S. Williams * Hussy Hicks * Buddy Knox
Cass Eager * The Bad Dad Orchestra
Ruby Jackson * Minnie Marks
Sweet Thunder * Airborne Blues Virus
Hayley Grave & The Bay Collective * JB’S Blues Breakers
Anna Scionti * Aaron Pollock * Dillion James Band
Jimi Beavis Trio * Bill Barber & The Holding Cell
British-born multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and producer Jon Cleary cut his eye-teeth on blues, jazz and soul records, playing with bluesmen Smokey Johnson, James Singleton and George Porter before forming his own band. As a respected session and sideman, Jon has worked with other beloved rock, blues and soul artists like Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal and Eric Clapton. The Absolute Monster Gentlemen has released six albums including Grammy-winning album ‘Go Go Juice’.
Straight from Memphis, home of blues, soul and rock n’ roll we welcome the acclaimed Hi Rhythm Section who have played on 26 consecutive gold and platinum records and countless chart hits alongside artists like Ann Peebles and Al Green.
The band will be joined at Blues on Broadbeach by Grammy Award-winning producer Boo Mitchell—son of legendary Hi Records and Al Green producer, Willie Mitchell— singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lina Beach, who joined the group in 2023, and soulful vocalist and much-loved Memphis performer Jerome Chism.
This all-star collective will be celebrating 10 years of the critically acclaimed documentary Take Me to the River, with songs from the film to be performed during their set; the perfect Memphis occasion to include in the Gold Coast festivities.
Working with Memphis Tourism to bring this iconic group to our shores, Blues on Broadbeach will be Hi Rhythm Section’s only public performance in Australia.
“Making my way to Australia for the 2024 Blues on Broadbeach is such a thrill, and to be doing it alongside the legendary Hi Rhythm Section makes it even more special. We can’t wait to bring the cool sounds that Memphis is so famous for, to the iconic blues festival on the Gold Coast.” – Boo Mitchell
Melburnian roots-rocker Dallas Frasca will bring her one-woman show filled with fiery charisma to the Broadbeach stage. Known for her almighty presence on the mic and raw, powerful energy, Dallas exudes the very essence of what roots music should be. Dallas is a stand-out in her class and boasts many accolades including an ARIA Top 10 charting album, ‘Artist of the Year’ at the Independent Music Awards, and an endorsement from Guns N’ Roses icon Slash on her commendable vocals, riffs and grooves.
Three-piece band Chase The Sun are celebrating 18 years together in 2024. What better way to do so than by rocking the blues for the crowds at Broadbeach? This will be the first time the band has performed at Broadbeach for many years, so blues fans are in for a treat. Long-time audience favourites from festivals all over Australia and the world, their style is a heady mix of loud guitar blues, blazing hard funk and cranking ‘70s southern rock.
“Be prepared for a musical feast this May as we continue to stack more incredible new artists on what is already one of Blues on Broadbeach’s strongest line-ups,” said Festival Director Mark Duckworth. “Some of the world’s best Blues artists will be here for the festival and fans will be hard pressed not to make the pilgrimage to the Gold Coast this year!”
Now in its 23rd year, Blues on Broadbeach invites 2024 festivalgoers to find their rhythm on the Gold Coast with their most electrifying line-up yet.
Block out 16-19 May in your calendar and start planning your true Blues getaway.
