Following its bumper first line-up announce, Blues on Broadbeach driven by Frizelle Sunshine has revealed 30 more acts to perform at the free festival, which takes place on the stunning Broadbeach, Gold Coast foreshore from May 17-20th 2018. With more than 160,000 visitors last year and an injection of $20 million into the local economy, this year is shaping up to be a cracker for blues fans. Now joining five international stars (including The Robert Cray Band) and a treasure trove of local favourites on the bill are: the award-winning ASH GRUNWALD, folk duo HAT FITZ AND CARA (with the Brisbane City Gospel Choir), Australian festival favourite JAMES SOUTHWELL BAND, the explosive guitar expert DAVE HOLE, independent star SHAUN KIRK, the critically acclaimed DANIEL CHAMPAGNE and many more.
Blues on Broadbeach caters to blues fans young and old, with over 150 live performances across the four days, combining blues, folk, soul, roots and rock, all right in the centre of the emerging hub of entertainment, the sunny Gold Coast. Better yet, the festival is completely free, making it the perfect holiday escape with friends or family.
With the event being held across more than 20 indoor and outdoor venues in the bars, restaurants, streets and parks of Broadbeach, the four days are set to be utterly packed with both local and international talent. The full line-up includes…
ASH GRUNWALD
HAT FITZ AND CARA
with The Brisbane City Gospel Choir
JAMES SOUTHWELL BAND
DAVE HOLE – SHAUN KIRK
UPTOWN BROWN – KNiKi + MIKE BEALE
DAN DINNEN AND SHORTY – PC AND THE BIFFS
GRIFFITH UNIVERSTIY SCHOOL YARD BLUES JAN PRESTON’S BOOGIE CIRCUS – EZRA LEE
STOMPING NICK AND HIS BLUES GRENADE (NZ)
DANIEL CHAMPAGNE – DIAMONDS & THE BLUES – THE NEW SAVAGES – BB FACTORY DEZZIE D AND THE STINGRAYZ – FEVER 7Z – MIKE ELRINGTON – LITTLE BILLIE – BLUESCORP
DOGGN IT BLUES – JASON DELPHIN – GAVIN DONIGER AND HIS MESCALITO BLUES THE ANGELA FABIAN BAND – LUCKY LIPS – MIKE FROST AND THE ICEMEN – JIMI BEAVIS THE WAVES – LS PHILOSOPHY
This joins an already stellar lineup that includes:
THE ROBERT CRAY BAND (USA)
THE SCREAMING JETS
BACKSLIDERS – LLOYD SPIEGEL
JON STEVENS (SPECIAL SHOW AT THE STAR GOLD COAST)
EILEN JEWELL (USA) – CHARLIE A’COURT (CAN) SOUTHERN AVENUE (USA) KID CONGO AND THE PINK MONKEY BIRDS (USA)
KARL S. WILLIAMS – 19 TWENTY – KAREN LEE ANDREWS JUSTIN YAP BAND – BLUES ARCADIA – THE SATELLITES MASON RACK BAND – DREAMBOOGIE – PJ O’BRIEN BAND
CHRISTINA CROFTS BAND – TONI SWAIN – BENNY D WILLIAMS TITAN PAYNE AND THE BIG ZYDECO EXPRESS JESSE VALACH PRESENTS BLUE MOUNTAIN – SUNNY COAST RUDE BOYS HELL AND WHISKY
“Blues on Broadbeach continues the tradition of fine crafted blues music, pumping from every corner of Broadbeach in May,” said Program Director Mark Duckworth. “The festival prides itself on covering all genres of the blues spectrum and the 2018 program is a balance of amazing artists and diverse sounds from Australia and the world’s best. We can’t wait.”
This second line-up features the incredible ASH GRUNWALD, who in his 11-year career has been nominated for six ARIA awards and three APRA awards, winning two of the latter. Grunwald boasts global tours, remarkable collaborations with musicians both old and new, and critical acclaim as the bastion of traditional blues whilst being at the forefront of innovation. Off the back of his latest album NOW, fresh off his European Tour and with some big shows including the support slot with Midnight Oil on The Great Circle Tour under his belt, Ash is once again returning to Blues on Broadbeach with a hip-shaking new single in the bag.
“I can’t wait to get up to Blues on Broadbeach!” said Ash. “I’ve had a lot of great gigs there over the years. A couple of years ago I did a rocking gig on the main stage, surrounded by people looking down from the balconies of their apartments…It made the space into a amphitheater, and with the huge crowd in front, it was just a special way to play. This year we’re gonna make it a bit of a extravaganza, including a lot of special guests and a really big band. It should be a huge one!”
Alongside Ash are vibrant duo HAT FITZ & CARA, whose unique blend of folk, roots and gospel blues hark back to a time once forgotten. The combined talent of ‘veteran’ wild man of the Australian blues scene, Hat Fitz, and dreamy vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Cara, make their performances an energizing and invigorating journey like no other.
Also joining the line-up is one of Australia’s leading blues and rock performers, JAMES SOUTHWELL BAND. Having played more than 2000 shows in his career, Southwell is known for powerful riffs, biting vocals, and unprecedented command of the room. He is also a Broadbeach veteran; this will be James’ fourth appearance at this major festival.
Minister for Tourism Industry Development Kate Jones said the 30 new acts were a great addition to an already stellar line-up of artists headlining the festival.
“Blues on Broadbeach has become one of Australia’s most iconic blues festivals and draws a strong crowd each year,” Ms Jones said. “This news will provide an added drawcard for blues fans to visit the Gold Coast and attend the event. Blues on Broadbeach is one of many Gold Coast events to feature on the It’s Live! in Queensland calendar which will inject $780m into the Queensland economy this year.”
For more information visit www.bluesonbroadbeach.com
