Mackay fans can see Thirsty Merc for free after Shannon Noll pulls out of Food and Wine Day

Thirsty Merc has soundtracked Australian summers for 15 years, now Mackay fans can see the five-time ARIA-nominated band for free.

The three-piece band has soundtracked Australian summers since it first burst onto the music scene 15 years ago and now it is gracing Mackay’s Queen Park in a one-off free show.

The five-time ARIA Award-nominated band Thirsty Merc is stepping up to headline the G & S Engineering Wine and Food Day after Shannon Noll was forced to cancel his performance because of the Sydney lockdown.

Thirsty Merc will be replacing Shannon Noll as the headliner for the Mackay G & S Engineering Wine and Food Day. Picture: Contributed

Noll was also scheduled to perform at the afterparty which has since been cancelled.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson congratulated the festival team on securing such a high-profile last minute call-up.

“Thirsty Merc has been a fixture on our radios since about 2004,” Cr Williamson said.

Some of the band’s best hits include 20 Good Reasons, Someday Someday, Mousetrap Heart and In the Summertime.

Program and schedule of events for the G&S Engineering Wine and Food Day.

Site layout for the G&S Engineering Wine and Food Day.

Cr Williamson said these tracks would sound “tremendous belting out over Queens Park”.

The band will join 17 other acts playing across three stages in the park on Saturday.

The festival will also feature more than 20 food vendors, 17 market stalls, two bars and a Kids Zone with facepainting and other activities.

See below for the stage run-times.

BB Print Stage

10.30am — Kate Lockyer

11.30am — Folks Like Us

12.30am — Jade Fiyen

1.30pm — Viper Syndicate

2.30pm — Tessa Devine

3.30pm — Lloyd Saunders

4.30pm — Thirsty Merc

Grassroots Stage

11.30am — JONTE

12.30am — Matt Tandy

1.30pm — Hot Doctor

2.30pm — G Force

3.30pm — Selfish Sons

4.30pm — Jess Locke

Dance Stage

11.20 — Fame Talent School

12.20 — Sarina Dance School

1.20 — Claddagh School of Irish Dance

2.20 — Sugar City Rock n Rollers

3.20 — Centre Stage Dance Company

A Mackay Regional Council spokesman said those who had purchased tickets to the festival after-party should keep an eye on the MECC Facebook page for refund details.