Gavin Butlin on how Airlie Beach Festival of Music keeps pushing on

This local festival is keeping the spirit alive, despite it being a challenging time for the industry.

Jessica Mauboy has been announced as a headliner for the festival. Photo: Hanna Lassen/Getty Images

While many festivals are struggling for ticket sales in a difficult climate for the arts industry, one local event pushing on is seeing the results of their hard work.

The Airlie Beach Festival of Music has become a Whitsundays staple in the 12 years since its inception in 2013, but despite feeling the pinch in the post Covid-19 era they have pushed through and are back to their prime.

The recent announcement of their star-studded 2025 line-up, including Jessica Mauboy, The Screaming Jets, and Diesel, is hoped to entice even more attendees this year.

Owner and director of Airlie Beach Festival of Music, Gavin Butlin, said numbers are back to pre-pandemic levels and ticket sales for this year look like they may even beat 2024.

“I’m hoping to sell out this year, fingers crossed,” he said.

Gavin Butlin, Director of Airlie Beach Festival of Music said they will do whatever they can to keep the festival running. Photo: Contributed

Mr Butlin said he believed a combination of factors contributed to the success of the festival including local support, hardworking volunteers, and the coastal destination.

“We’ve sort of been able to sneak by,” he said.

“Airlie Beach is a destination and other festivals are in footy fields or in the forest but in Airlie Beach every venue’s got a view of the water and it’s just the vibe of the town that people love so much.”

The depth of talent is another aspect that makes the festival a standout, added Mr Butlin.

“It’s like throwing every musical flavour into a blender and hitting ‘puree’ – you get over 60 acts from every corner of the country, serving up everything from acoustic vibes to high voltage anthems,” he said.

The scenic Airlie Beach location is a huge drawcard for the festival. Photo: Contributed

“One minute you’re swaying to a soulful ballad, the next you’re front row, fists in the air, screaming lyrics with a packed-out crowd.

“That’s the magic.”

About 1000 people are regular attendees who keep coming back year after year alongside the new faces who make the trip to Queensland.

“It’s their favourite festival, they catch up with old friends and it’s just that time of the year that everyone gets together and there’s so much to do and see and let your ears do the walking for you,” he said.

He said those with tickets should bring their dancing shoes and their drinking partners to relax and have fun.

“We’ll do whatever we can to keep this one going,” he said.

The Screaming Jets are set to perform at the 2025 Airlie Beach Festival of Music.

The Screaming Jets frontman Dave Gleeson said he hands it to the team behind the festival for keeping the spirit alive.

“It takes guts to keep pushing forward in this climate, but they’re doubling down to create a community, a vibe and a space where we can all just be in the moment,” he said.

“I’m stoked to be part of it this November and can’t wait to experience it all.”