Gold Coast's Blues On Broadbeach returns in 2024 for its 23rd instalment, led by a quartet of American blues-rock legends.
Already headed to Australia next May, Grammy Award-winning artist Melissa Etheridge will ignite the festival with her string of hits like 'I'm The Only One', 'Like The Way I Do', 'Come To My Window' and 'Bring Me Some Water'."I am thrilled to announce that I'm now joining the Blues On Broadbeach line-up," Melissa says, "and sharing the stage with some amazing international, Australian and New Zealand artists.
"This is my only Queensland show, and I am excited to be playing this iconic blues festival. I'll be bringing my full live show down under, for the first time in five years, and I'm looking forward to seeing all my Australian fans in 2024!"
If shredding, fine song craftmanship and searing performance is your thing, this dynamic first line-up will tick all those boxes.
Etheridge will be joined by fellow Americans, guitar badass Samantha Fish and outlaw country maverick Jesse Dayton (who have collaborated on 2023 album 'Death Wish Blues' that was produced by Jon Spencer), Serbian-American blues guitarist Ana Popovic (who released 'Power' earlier this year, her first album in five years and who Bruce Springsteen labelled "one helluva guitar player,") and legendary bluesman Eric Bibb (a two-time Grammy Award nominee) who released his 24th studio album 'Ridin'' in 2023.
"We have truly embraced some heavy hitting blues rock acts for the 2024 first line-up including some of the world's best female blues guitarists," Festival Director Mark Duckworth says.
"We had so much fun putting together this year's line-up, and can't wait to see Melissa Etheridge and Ana Popovic set the Blues On Broadbeach stage alight.
"Add in Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton performing their 'Death Wish Blues' tour and multi-Grammy Award-winning bluesman Eric Bibb and we've got an unmissable weekend of live music, and that's just the first four names on the poster!"
With even more talent to be added across the coming months, other highlights of this first artist announcement include Australian stalwarts Lloyd Spiegel, Hat Fitz & Cara and Shaun Kirk, Melbourne underground institutions Checkerboard Lounge and Sweet Felicia And The Honeytones.
"Blues On Broadbeach just gets better every year and by the looks of this first line-up 2024 is going to be four days of live music you won't want to miss," Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says.
"Come May, you'll find me enjoying a scotch beachside in Broadbeach listening to some of the best rhythm and blues you are ever likely to hear!"
Blues On Broadbeach (Gold Coast) takes place at various locations 16-19 May, 2024, and is absolutely free to attend.
Blues On Broadbeach 2024 Line-up
Melissa EtheridgeSamantha Fish & Jesse Dayton
Ana Popovic
Eric Bibb
Lloyd Spiegel
Hat Fitz & Cara
Shaun Kirk
Checkerboard Lounge
Sweet Felicia And The Honeytones
Li'l Chuck The One Man Skiffle Machine
The Mezcaltones
Don Hopkins
C.J. Lee
Rod Paine & The Fulltime Lovers
The Band Ham
Rory Ellis & Christian Marsh
Slips And The F.W.'s
Kerbside Collection
Plus many more to be announced
