The blues will return to the Gold Coast in 2021 with Blues On Broadbeach set to land in May to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
Nashville-based Tommy Emmanuel – regarded by many as the world's best acoustic guitarist – leads the 2021 line-up in an exclusive performance for Blues On Broadbeach."I am really looking forward to playing Blues On Broadbeach May 2021!" Tommy says. "My late brother Phil had played the festival and raved about it.
"I am very honoured to be asked and will give my absolute best to the fans! See you in May, Australia! Love — Tommy E c.g.p. (Certified Guitar Player)."
One of the largest free music events in Australia, other highlights from the 2021 line-up include NZ roots legends The Black Seeds, ARIA award-winning artist Christine Anu who'll be digging into Aretha Franklin's song book, and Sydney's blues/ soul powerhouse The Lachy Doley Group.
Also slated to perform are the mega rock of WA act The Southern River Band, Brisbane's finest purveyors of the blues, Blues Arcadia, R&B, soul singer-songwriter Caiti Baker, perennial festival favourites Hatz Fitz & Cara and Sunshine Coast's So-Cal, hip hop and dub-reggae collective Bearfoot.
Festival Director, Mark Duckworth sat down for a chat about the 2021 event, dealing with COVID-related issues and who else maybe added to the 2021 line-up (stay tuned for that announcement next week).
With the associated issues related to COVID and hosting a major event in the current climate, what have been a couple of major hurdles you've encountered when planning, staging a major event like Blues On Broadbeach?
Unlike many festivals, Blues On Broadbeach has never had a fenced border; our festival tribe have been able to move freely around the stages integrating with the locals of the area, discovering great acts along the way.
The biggest challenge has been how we address this without shutting people out and losing the vibe of the event.
Let's discuss the music line-up; given the constraints of our coronavirus world atm, you must be ecstatic securing Tommy Emmanuel as headliner?
Blues On Broadbeach has been spoilt with lot of amazing guitar players over the years and Tommy Emmanuel is one of the greatest. His visit has been a long time coming; we discussed having him perform a few times over the years.
In 2020 due to the event's cancellation we missed seeing him, so we are all fingers crossed for this year.
Christine Anu will be presenting a special concert featuring music from Aretha Franklin's songbook; what can music lovers expect from this performance?
Aretha Franklin cemented herself as one of the all-time recording artists with some massive soul hits. Christine will perform her interpretations including the signature tunes 'Respect' and 'A Natural Woman'. We are not sure if there'll be a Blues Brothers cameo.
You've also got The Black Seeds coming across the ditch bringing their roots, dancehall vibes; while it is a blues festival, is expanding the different types of music on offer a focus of the Festival?
As a music lover, the best thing about Blues On Broadbeach is the multiple styles of music we get to present. We always make an effort to expand on the sounds that stem back to the origins of blues and roots. The Black Seeds are no exception.
Then you have the likes of Lachy Doley joining Hat Fitz & Cara and Blues Arcadia; the Australian blues scene is really strong atm, right?
Last year was hard for all genres of live music, so it's been interesting to see how performers have utilised their time. The Australian blues artists continued to work hard, write and record, and continue to impress us each year with what everyone's up to.
There's also a youthful edge to the programme: Caiti Baker, Bearfoot, Jazz Party, Minnie Marks, Mitch King, The Southern River Band – is attracting a younger audience another key goal of 2021?
Including emerging and established young artists is something we look at each year to broaden the appeal of the festival.
It's great to see different age groups in our crowds enjoying performances and sounds that connect to them. We always enjoy the anticipation for how acts will be received. There are some killer acts this year and we can't wait for them.
For those who have never experienced the festival, while the music is the major drawcard there is still a stack of other options to keep everyone entertained, right?
Broadbeach really comes alive over the festival with food, drinks and great music. The beach is right alongside the event for a nature connection, and the light rail runs through the area to make exploring the city very easy.
2021 Blues On Broadbeach takes place 20-23 May.
Blues On Broadbeach 2021 Line-up
Tommy EmmanuelThe Black Seeds
Christine Anu (The Aretha Franklin Songbook)
The Lachy Doley Group
Caiti Baker
19-Twenty
Hat Fitz & Cara
Jazz Party
Blue Shaddy
The Southern River Band
Blues Arcadia
Minnie Marks
Bearfoot
Mitch King
The Mad Mariachi
Her Way To Hell
4String Phil
Heavy Wax
