30 more acts added to Blues On Broadbeach

Over 30 acts were announced this morning for Blues On Broadbeach.

The free festival in Queensland (May 17—20) is one of the largest in the country, and this is year headlined by the Robert Cray Band.

Last year it drew 160,000 visitors and injected $20 million into the local economy.

This year 150 blues, folk, soul, roots and rock, acts play 20 indoor and outdoor venues in the bars, restaurants, streets and parks of Broadbeach.

Topping the latest announcement is Ash Grunwald, just off a hive of activity behind his NOW album, a tour through Europe and the opening slot of Midnight Oil’s The Great Circle Tour.

“I can’t wait to get up to Blues on Broadbeach, I’ve had a lot of great gigs there over the years” Grunwald said.

“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 amphitheatre, 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!”

New additions include folk duo Hat Fitz & Cara (with the Brisbane City Gospel Choir), James Southwell Band making his fourth appearance, Dave Hole, Shaun Kirk and Daniel Champagne.

Aside from the Cray Band, among those already announced are The Screaming Jets, Jon Stevens, Backsliders, Lloyd Spiegel, Ellen Jewel and Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds.

Queensland Minister for Tourism Industry Development Kate Jones said, “Blues on Broadbeach has become one of Australia’s most iconic blues festivals and draws a strong crowd each year.

“(These 30 new acts) 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 $780 million into the Queensland economy this year.”