Category: Artist News

Following its mammoth first line-up announcement, Blues on Broadbeach adds a little G. Love and 25 more acts to its Lineup giving fans the chance to catch more than 200 hours of live entertainment for free across 20 performance areas.

“We are excited to invite such varied, dynamic and talented acts from Australia and overseas to Blues on Broadbeach this year to experience the festival’s fun, energetic, and welcoming vibe,” said Festival Director Mark Duckworth. “Our festival has become an important part of Broadbeach’s cultural identity, with locals and visitors coming together each year to listen to an amazing mix of sound at this spectacular beachside location.”

Welcome back Black Sorrows

Returning to headline the 2nd line-up is THE BLACK SORROWS fronted by ARIA Hall of Famer Joe Camilleri. The Black Sorrows continue to be one of Australia’s most prolific and enduringly popular bands and a festival favourite. Renowned for their high-energy live shows, musicianship and infectious rootsy rhythms, The Black Sorrows through various incarnations, have not stopped performing or recording since Joe formed the band in 1984.

Blues on Broadbeach adds a little G. Love

Joining The Black Sorrows is US artist G. LOVE (pictured) who is set to entertain with his eccentric personality and quirky hybrid of hip-hop blues. His latest album, The Juice, was co-produced and co-written by five-time Grammy Award-winner Keb Mo. G. LOVE is a genre-defying artist who offers a distinctly modern pop spin on traditional blues, mixing programmed beats and hip-hop grooves with blazing guitar and steel.

For the third year, Memphis Tourism is partnering with Blues on Broadbeach and is bringing a very classy act direct from Memphis with DON BRYANT AND THE BO-KEYS set to take the stage this year. Don Bryant (above) and his eight-piece band will keep the spirit of classic Memphis alive as they epitomise the best of blues and soul.

“As the home of blues, soul, and rock n’ roll, the partnership between Memphis Tourism and Blues on Broadbeach is one with undeniable synergies,” said Director Australia/New Zealand of Memphis Tourism, Chris Ingram. “The city of Memphis continues to foster and support blues artists around the world, and Blues on Broadbeach provides the perfect local stage for a host of international artists all just as committed to the genre.”  He added “In partnership with United Airlines and Love Police Touring, Memphis Tourism will this year bring soul icon Don Bryant to Australia for the event along with the incredible Bo-Keys, and the appearance of these living legends will no doubt thrill long-standing blues fans, as well as inspire the next generation.”

Also joining the diverse line-up is Sydney-based BOOTLEG RASCAL whose eclectic combination of hip hop, reggae, indie-rock, dub and electronica is reminiscent of Gorillaz, Kid Cudi, and Massive Attack. Bootleg Rascal traverse the globe playing sold-out shows in France, UK, Netherlands, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, and the USA.  Returning to Blues on Broadbeach after blowing audiences away last year is TAMI NEILSON  who has been described as a “fire-breathing belter” by Rolling Stone. New fans will be super impressed by Tami’s voice which comes straight from the golden age of soul, country and rockabilly music, and has seen her win ‘Best Female Artist’ at the New Zealand Country Music Awards in 2010, 2011 and 2014.

It’s all free!

One of the largest free music events in Australia, Blues on Broadbeach sees over 200,000 people attend the four-day festival each year. The festival allows patrons to enjoy over 200 hours of entertainment in stunning locations throughout Broadbeach’s streets, parks, bars and restaurants.  Fly or drive and stay in the heart of Broadbeach with the festival right on your doorstep! There are many sophisticated accommodation options in the precinct from five-star hotels to self-contained apartments, satisfying all needs and budgets.

The 19th Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival will be held from Thursday 14th May to Sunday 17th May 2020.

Blues on Broadbeach is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar, worth $880m to the state’s economy in 2019.

Only days before the Blues on Broadbeach 2nd Lineup drops, we are excited to announce that international music legend Don Bryant, is set to travel to Australia this May to perform at Blues on Broadbeach.

The man behind countless iconic records, and responsible for arguably one of the most popular songs of all time “I Can’t Stand the Rain”, which Beatle John Lennon declared as the “best song ever” has joined forces with the incredible talents of Memphis band The Bo-Keys.

The Bo-Keys

The Bo-Keys, a group of young musicians endeavouring to keep the sound of Memphis blues, soul and R&B music alive, have experienced great success in their own right. The band have amassed a legion of local followers and accolades including tracks appearing in several feature films such as Soul Men, with Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Ma, Grudge Match, and Barnyard.

Announcing a new album as well as an east-coast Australian tour, Don Bryant and The Bo-Keys will perform intimate shows in Sydney and Melbourne before heading to the Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival on the Gold Coast. Bryant’s highly anticipated album ‘You Make Me Feel’ drops Friday, 8 May 2020, with the first track Your Love Is To Blame released today, Tuesday March 3, 2020.

Chris Ingram, Director of IGG Destination Marketing said, ”We are thrilled to have one the greatest soul artists of all time, along with a band that has played such a pivotal role in the Memphis music scene, perform in Australia. This group of musicians is undoubtedly creating music history and their performances down-under are sure to be unforgettable for fans of the genre.”

Don’t miss music legend, Don Bryant!

If you’re planning to come to the 2020 Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival, don’t miss a beat! Book your accommodation now, so you can stay and enjoy four full days of the best live Blues music in the world.  Check out the 4-5 star accommodation options listed on our website.  It definitely beats having to pitch a tent in a paddock.

Blues on Broadbeach will be held Thursday, May 14 – Sunday, May 17, 2020, on the streets and in the parks of beautiful Broadbeach, Gold Coast, QLD,

Kim Churchill is bringing his latest tour, ‘The Bright Night Sessions‘ to Blues on Broadbeach.

The Bright Night Sessions are all about reconnecting with all of the phenomenal, regional music communities that Kim has had the pleasure of joining over the years in Australia.

Partnering with Yamaha Australia and Undercover Creative, Kim has built a solar powered touring stage and production that can go, quite literally, anywhere. The Bright Night Sessions takes music into towns and communities, not requiring a live music venue.

A traveller as much as an artist, Kim Churchill has lived on the road for years, last appearing at Blues on Broadbeach in 2013, however it was no longer enough just to pass through; for Kim it was time to show that world in his songs.

‘After The Sun’, the warm, loping first single from a project where each song taps into the people and environments of some of his favourite parts of the world, is Kim showing the value of a new way of thinking, of writing … of living.

“I now understand the effect that the whole process of travelling has on the way I write songs and the way I create,” he says, explaining that he travelled this time intending to experience “emotional responses to a constantly changing environment” and allow that to “seep into my creative process, which has been the most liberating part of the last year of writing.”

Just as the lyrics of ‘After the Sun’ play with the idea that it’s a futile exercise to try and chase the sun, Kim saw the way nature swallowed disused buildings, art and colour and life finding their way back into these sterile, concrete structures.

“That’s really inspiring for me,” Kim says, “that the beautiful creative side to our DNA, that we just don’t understand, finds a way to come out again and again.”

KIM’S PREVIOUS BLUES ON BROADBEACH EXPERIENCES

Kim recently told Australian Musician “I played Blues on Broadbeach way back in 2012, 2013. I played there two years in a row and I had a phenomenal experience”.

He added “They are great supporters of up and coming blues and roots artists and you just know that if you play there you are going to see all of your friends and the opportunity to spend time with each other and play music with each other. So yes, I had a couple of really beautiful years going to that festival and it will be lovely to be back”

DON’T MISS A BEAT

Don’t miss Kim Churchill’s performance at Blues on Broadbeach.  In fact, come and stay the weekend in Broadbeach and you’ll have plenty of chances to see him and over 70 other international and local performers in the 2020 Blues on Broadbeach lineup.   Check out some of the 4-5 star accommodation options we recommend for Blues on Broadbeach.

Plus, whether you’re flying or driving in to the festival, we’ve got all the information you need on our Festival Transport information page so you can arrive fresh and ready to party Blues style. Check it out.

Fellow musicians have voted Tommy Emmanuel as the best acoustic guitarist in the world today and we’re not surprised at all.  Only a few weeks ago Tommy was revealed as part of the lineup in our first artist announcement for the 2020 Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival.

Long recognised as as the international master of the solo acoustic guitar, Tommy plays hundreds of sold-out shows every year from Nashville to Sydney to London. Commanding  much respect from music fans and fellow musicians, according to MusicRadar, over a third of the votes were cast for Tommy.

In January 2019, he released Accomplice One, an album of collaborations with some of the finest singers, songwriters and, yes, guitarists alive today – a list including Jason Isbell, Mark Knopfler, Rodney Crowell, Jerry Douglas, Amanda Shires, Ricky Skaggs, J.D. Simo, David Grisman, Bryan Sutton, Suzy Bogguss and many more.

Since he and his brother Phil taught themselves to play as toddlers, the guitar has been Tommy’s real first language–and he’s more articulate on his signature Melbourne-made Maton acoustics than most people are with words. Influenced by the Merle Travis/Chet Atkins finger-style of guitar picking, Tommy developed a style of solo guitar playing that encompasses the range of a whole band– covering drums, bass, rhythm and lead guitar and a vocal melody simultaneously. No loop pedals, no overdubs, just one man and ten fingers. While some artists take ten-piece bands on the road and still fill out the sound with backing tracks, Tommy builds a complete sonic world entirely on his own.

For many players, the technical mastery of the technique would overwhelm the emotion of the music, but not for Tommy. His idols are not just the great players, but also the great pop songwriters and singers–Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, The Beatles and their ilk.

While thousands of fans have spent years trying to unpack and imitate Tommy’s technique, for him it’s just the delivery system. His approach is always song and emotion first, his music the embodiment of his soulful spirit, sense of hope and his love for entertaining.

With over a third of the participating musicians voting for Tommy Emmanuel as the best acoustic guitarist in the world today, you’d be mad to miss this legendary performer at the 2020 Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival.  Check out the 4-5 star accommodation options available and come and stay for the whole festival.

Blues on Broadbeach can’t wait for Latin Grammy Award winner for Best New Artist, Gaby Moreno, to play at our music festival for the first time in 2020.

Amongst her many accomplishments, Gaby Moreno has an Emmy nomination under her belt and has performed, toured or recorded with the likes of Bono (U2), Andrea Bocelli, Punch Bros, actor/singer Oscar Isaac, Ani DiFranco and Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. Her single Fuiste Tú (a duet with Ricardo Arjona) has amassed over 850 million views on YouTube.

Gaby’s new album Spangled is a stunning collaboration with music legend Van Dyke Parks. The lead single from Spangled, Across the Borderline, is a duet with Jackson Browne.

A festival favourite across America, Latin America and Europe, Gaby’s unique vocals cover a range of genres from folk to blues to operatic rock.

An accomplished guitarist, Gaby has previously visited Australia with actor/musician Hugh Laurie (House/Veep). She is also a featured performer for concerts in memory of David Bowie at the Sydney Opera House and QPAC backed by members of Bowie’s original band. Locally, she has shared the stage with Bernard Fanning (Powderfinger), Sarah Blasko and Paul Dempsey (Something For Kate).

Gaby sings the theme song for the Disney series Elena Of Avalor and voices an animated character for the show. She wrote the theme song for Parks and Recreation and her singing has featured on popular TV shows including Family Guy and Orange Is The New Black.

Don’t miss the incredibly talented Gaby Moreno play at Blues on Broadbeach.  If you come and stay the weekend in Broadbeach you’ll have plenty of chances to see her and over 70 other international and local performers.

Check out some of the 4-5 star accommodation options we recommend for Blues on Broadbeach here.  All are in walking distance of the festival.

Blues on Broadbeach 2020 will feature one of the most recognisable voices in the country, as Karise Eden joins the lineup in 2020.

Starting from humble beginnings, a central coast girl from Gosford, NSW, Karise busked, toured and sang all over the east coast of NSW during her early/mid-teenage years. Playing stages at local festivals, restaurants, cafes, pubs & wherever she could!

Her first blues/soul band at 16 called ‘Karise Eden & The River shack Band’ in Patonga, NSW. At age 19, auditioned for The Voice Australia, taking out the title of the 1st winner of the Australian TV Series.

Karise has topped the Australia music charts, winning ARIA awards, has double-platinum, platinum & gold-selling singles & albums – also breaking the record since The Beatles to have the most singles on the Australian ARIA chart in the top 10 at one time.

Karise is also quite the songwriter, an honest one at that, her original works full of depth & life experience.

She has travelled through Australia, UK & USA to pen some of these beautifully honest original works that you will hear in the last 2 albums. In the years since, Karise continues to sing, travel, write music and play to her audience while maintaining a solid home life with her son and husband.

Live, you can expect to hear Karise sing some old favourites from her time on The Voice Australia and original pieces from her albums “Things I’ve Done” & “Born To Fight”.

Karise is a great storyteller & mixture of all things music! With her on stage banter, stories, cheek and humour – you never know what will come next! It’s why Blues on Broadbeach is delighted that Karise Eden joins the lineup in 2020.

It’ll be a great night and celebration of music never to be forgotten so make sure you’re in Broadbeach, May 14-17, 2020.  Broadbeach 4-5 star accommodation options are located on the Blues on Broadbeach website