A blues and roots outfit combining the compositions of trombonist and vocalist Lisa Baird with the badass instrumental skills of Chelsea Allen, Stella Anning, Sarah Holmes and Cheryl Durongpisitkul, Bitches Brew is a carnival of young-ish souls brimming with some old-time music.
A veteran of the Melbourne music scene (Lily & King, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Lloyd Spiegel, CW Stoneking), Lisa leads Bitches Brew who fuse deep blues and roots undercurrents with hip hop and jazz elements, to create riveting, ecstatic performances.As music is to medicine; like rich food for the soul; as love is to laughter; and the wailin' horn is to the whoopin' holler, Bitches Brew's thumping bass and smiling faces always have audiences baying for more.
When the brew hits the cauldron, this is one kitchen you want to be in.
Ahead of their performance at Blues On Broadbeach in May, Lisa shares 5 reasons why Bitches Brew love the Gold Coast.
5: The 'Eurovision: Australia Decides' contest was hosted in the Gold Coast, and we're all for Eurovision in all its sparkling glory.
Sarah still religiously completes a pre-show backstage warm-up which includes headphones, a walkman and the monster-repelling dance from the true champions of Eurovision 2021 (Iceland's Dadi Freyr, of course!).
4: Stella's favourite Gold Coast past-time is surfing. Before she got serious on the guitar, Stella was a three-time Victorian junior champion, and now we can't tour Queensland without stopping at the Gold Coast so she can get her flow state in order.
3: The log ride at Dreamworld. It was great in the '80s and it's great now.
2: The people. The music lovers in the Gold Coast are a vibrant, enthusiastic and passionate crew that love life and know how to have an excellent time.
We met our collective Bitch Spirit Animal at one of our Gold Coast shows – a part human part cassowary whose name escapes me now, but whose commitment to becoming the bird lives on.
1: Blues On Broadbeach. This has to be one of the most life-giving, glorious festivals in the country for artists and punters alike.
It's run by an incredible team of high achievers who put on an outrageously fun event every single time. We can't wait to get noisy on the stage – we also can't wait to see some of our favourite acts in the country do their magnificent thing.
Blues On Broadbeach (Gold Coast) takes place 19-22 May. It's a free event.
2022 Blues On Broadbeach Line-up
The James Morrison Motown ExperienceRobben Ford
Mia Dyson
Cookin' On 3 Burners w/ Stella Angelico
Emma Donovan & The Putbacks
Bondi Cigars
Hamish Anderson
R.L. Boyce w/ Dom Turner
The Seven Ups
Karen Lee Andrews
Jimi Hocking's Blues Machine
8 Ball Aitken
Dave Hole
Karl S. Williams
The Soul Movers
Checkerboard Lounge
Bitches Brew
Sweet Talk
Dogsband
Dishpan Hands
Oscar Ladell
The Magnificence
Dave Blight w/ Mick Kidd
Sweet Thunder
Karise Eden
Osaka Monaurail
Blue Empress All-Stars
Matty T Wall
Hussy Hicks
Minnie Marks
Frank Sultana
Mike Beale
Dom Turner & The Rural Blues Project
Sweet Felicia and the Honeytones
Taya Chani
Jackson Dunn
The Blues Preachers
The Long Johns
Anna Scionti Trio
Devils Kiosk
The Holy Rollercoasters
Eamon Dilworth's Crawfish Po' Boys
The Mojo Corner
Melody Graves and the Hokum Redemption
Peaches & The AlphaSonics
