The annual free celebration of blues and all its sub-genres, Gold Coast's Blues On Broadbeach returns in 2025 – 15-18 May – headlined by a legendary Aussie surf-rock-blues band and an American soul-R&B-gospel singer-songwriter.
The unmistakable gritty blues, swamp rock, and hypnotic grooves of The Cruel Sea – led by the enigmatic Tex Perkins – will descend on Broadbeach, the eight-time ARIA Award winners riding a resurgent wave that will see them perform their classics alongside new material from their forthcoming album 'Straight Into The Sun' (that's due early March). With a voice transplanted direct from the '50s-'60s melded to a soulful energy encompassing blues, gospel, and country, R&B-soul artist Eli Paperboy Reed ('Come And Get It', '99 Cent Dreams' and 'Movin'') will highlight his 20-plus-year, 9-studio-record career with a set of fan favourites as well as cuts from his most recent album, 2022's 'Down Every Road'.
"I'm truly honoured to be one of the headliners at the iconic Blues On Broadbeach, sharing the stage with some phenomenal local and international artists," Reed says.
"I can't wait to spend time on the beautiful Gold Coast, reconnecting with my Australian fans. This time, I'm bringing my all-new show featuring the incredible Harlem Gospel Travelers, and I promise, it's going to be a weekend to remember!"
The Harlem Gospel Travelers will also perform their own set sans Reed; the New York Grammy-nominated group are longtime friends and mentees of Reed. Their 2022 album 'Look Up!' features the title track, 'Help Me To Understand' and 'Nothing But His Love'. Their most recent LP, 'Rhapsody', landed this past August.
Another certified local blues legend, Diesel will also travel to Blues On Broadbeach, the expat American who has made Australia his home for close to four decades bringing a swag of hits including 'Tip Of My Tongue'. 'Never Miss Your Water', 'Cry In Shame' and 'Come To Me'.
"I can't wait to play Blues On Broadbeach," enthuses Diesel. "With such great memories of previous times, I know what to expect and with this year's line-up, it's looking to be no exception."
At the other end of the experience spectrum, Steph Strings is an emerging talent blending her fingerstyle guitar with vibrant percussion and Celtic, blues, and folk influences; while Adelaide's Stefan Hauk's blues-rock will have you grooving; and Melbourne's fiery and charismatic Queenie brings her own bold and soulful flair to the stage.
"After spending so much of the year on the road across Europe and Canada I'm so excited to come back to the Gold Coast and perform at Blues On Broadbeach. It's going to be great to feel the east-coast sun again! I can't wait," shares Steph Strings.
Long-time purveyor of Australian blues, Bondi Cigars return to the festival's streets, bringing their own electrified sound to the GC with such tasty cuts as 'Cry To Me', 'Howling At The Moon' and 'Steppin' In'.
Other highlights of the line-up include The Meltdown, Pete Cornelius, Rod Paine & The Fulltime Lovers and Sammy Owen Blues Band. "The 2025 line-up is the perfect celebration of Australia's blues heritage, alongside an exciting mix of new talent, blending together into our massive programme," Festival Director Mark Duckworth says.
"We're also stoked to host the soulful energy of international guests Eli Paperboy Reed and recently Grammy nominated for the Best Roots Gospel Album, New York's Harlem Gospel Travelers here on the Gold Coast, and know they'll bring something special to the Blues On Broadbeach stages."
With world-class performances and free entertainment in paradise, it's time to get amongst the groove.
Blues On Broadbeach (Gold Coast) takes place 15-18 May, 2025.
Blues On Broadbeach 2025 Line-up
The Cruel SeaEli Paperboy Reed
Diesel
Steph Strings
Bondi Cigars
The Harlem Gospel Travelers
The Meltdown
Stefan Hauk
Queenie
Pete Cornelius
Rod Paine & The Fulltime Lovers
Sammy Owen Blues Band
Scott Browne
Beretta And Sullivan
Rhiannon Simpson
Alphastomp
Majelen
Don Hopkins
Jamie Lamont
Billy K Blues Band
Plus more to be announced
