Steve Aoki at Cali Beach Club major boost for Gold Coast live music, Baz Luhrmann at Pink Flamingo
Gold Coasters were dancing with the stars over the weekend with a Hollywood superstar and an international DJ on the Glitter Strip. SEE THE PICTURES
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GOLD Coast’s live music industry is ripping the mask off the Covid pandemic with a club hosting its first big international act.
Cali Beach Club welcomed Grammy-nominated music producer and international DJ Steve Aoki on Friday night in a sign of what’s to come with Covid restrictions easing.
He headlined the venue hours after Queenslanders were no longer required to wear masks in workplaces, schools, shops and hospitality venues.
With pubs and clubs no longer restricted by mask mandate or capacity limits, the struggling sector is finding its feet again.
The lift on international travel has also helped hospitality and live music.
Aoki, who has performed at festivals all around the world including Coachella, EDC and Ultra Music, was Cali Beach’s first international act since opening in September.
Fans were not disappointed with the DJ bringing his energy-infused performance.
Australian film director Baz Luhrmann had fans star struck on Saturday night when he joined them to watch the cabaret at the Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub.
Mr Luhrmann is in the process of finishing his new Elvis biopic at his secret production headquarters on the Coast.
He enjoyed a night watching the extravagant cabaret, burlesque, comedy show in Broadbeach.
People lined up to take selfies with Mr Luhrmann while he was dancing after the show.
'BLOODY DOOF DOOF C**P': RETURN OF LIVE MUSIC SPLITS COAST
February 6, 2022
The return of one of the Gold Coast’s biggest festivals was enjoyed by thousands of revellers but not everyone was happy with live music coming back to the city.
For The Love festival was held at The Spit on Saturday after Covid forced the 2021 event to be canned.
Music fans deprived of live performances on the Gold Coast due to tight Covid restrictions on the music industry packed into Doug Jennings Park.
Acts Dom Dolla, Crooked Colours and Boo Seeka hit the stage and performed to thousands of adoring fans until 10pm.
Residents as far as Runaway Bay were unimpressed about the “loud techno music”.
A resident’s post on a northern Gold Coast suburb’s Facebook community page said they could hear the music from The Spit with their doors shut and aircon on.
The post has over 150 comments with mixed feedback.
Some agreed saying they could hear it from Runaway Bay, Hollywell and Molendinar.
“Bloody doof doof c**p! Mind numbing repetitive rubbish. Seriously you’d have to be off your nut,” one person commented.
Others wrote people were allowed to have fun.
“How good is it people having fun in such hard times loving the sound of fun,” one person commented.
“People have some fun … doesn’t bother me … hope everyone has a great safe time,” another person posted.
Live music is making a return to the Gold Coast with organisers of Under the Southern Stars confirming a 12-date tour, headlined by Cheap Trick, Bush and Stone Temple Pilots.
It kicks off in March – two years on from its initial 2020 dates.
Popular psychedelic rockers Ocean Alley recently played at HOTA and Western Australia’s rock band Spacey Jane are lined up to hit the stage at Miami Marketta in early March.
The sold-out SummerSalt concert – featuring Missy Higgins, John Butler, Xavier Rudd, Birds of Tokyo and The Waifs – is beachside at Coolangatta on Sunday.
Patrons going to the music festival were warned they must bring their own ‘high-back’ chairs or they won’t be able to come.
'LONG-TIME COMING': CHART-TOPPING READY TO TAKE COAST BY STORM
February 8, 2022
Pyschedlic rockers and Triple J favourites Ocean Alley are gearing up for their highly-anticipated return to the Gold Coast as the city’s live music scene roars back to life.
The six-piece band – mates from Sydney’s Northern Beaches who now call Byron home – will on Saturday take to the stage at HOTA for their first Coast show since late 2020.
It was a stellar few years for the crew before Covid took hold – their hit ‘Confidence’ taking out 2019’s Hottest 100 while sold-out crowds on a national tour became a regular occurrence.
But guitarist Mitch Galbraith said the boys were determined not to lose any steam during their forced hiatus, instead using the time to bunker down to write their next studio album.
“Luckily we weren’t in that bad of a situation, if the break had of happened a few years earlier it would have been pretty detrimental to our progress,” Mr Galbraith told the Bulletin.
“There hasn’t been much support at all for the entertainment industry (during the pandemic).
“We weren’t touring and making any money, we were spending it on studios so we could keep writing and recording.”
But now, he says, it’s time to get back to touring nationally.
“It’s been a long time coming, there’s really no other word to describe it but ‘excited,” Mr Galbraith said of the forthcoming shows, having played a Cairns gig the night before.
“It was the first time we walked out on a stage in 12 months, but it felt like two years.
“That was a real wake up call, we got to play our new track to crowds for the first time and there was such a great response. It’s made us even more excited to play now.”
Seaside, The Belligerents and Dulcie are billed to open their Gold Coast show though Psychedelic Porn Crumpets will no longer appear.
“We have been working on a new set design, just mixing it up and have fun. We have a pretty long set too, about an 90 minutes long,” Mr Galbraith said.
Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster.
Mega rock tour to light up Coast
February 7: Gold Coast’s first major international rock show since the pandemic will finally take to the stage next month after organisers were forced to reschedule its original date three times.
Organisers of Under the Southern Stars yesterday confirmed the 12-date tour, headlined by Cheap Trick, Bush and Stone Temple Pilots, would kick off in March – two years on from its initial 2020 dates.
It follows last year’s shock 11th-hour postpostment, with promoter Andrew McManus pointing fingers at the Morrison Government for its lagging vaccine rollout.
At the time Mr McManus told the Bulletin strict border closures and quarantine requirements proved too difficult to manage, forcing the postponement.
On Monday he appeared much more chipper as site inspections for the upcoming shows got underway: “It’s getting exciting,” Mr McManus said.
“We’re definitely coming, the bands are all locked in and double vaxxed, all their media interview schedules are getting put together. They’re ready to roll.
“It’s the first international tour to play on Australian soil in two years and on top of that the artists have incredible pedigrees as live performers.”
Acts were originally set to thrill local crowds at Southport Sharks last May but will instead perform at the same venue to packed crowds on March 26.
Ticketholders were told all pre-purchased tickets would remain valid for the future shows.
Frontline healthcare workers are eligible for heavily discounted tickets from $147 to $50 – an idea Mr McManus put to Queensland Government as a token of gratitude.
“We’ve got to look after everyone, we’re all struggling. I know a few nurses and they’re on the verge of breakdowns,” Mr McManus said.
“We just really wanted to thank them and give them the opportunity to come along.”
Tourism Minister said in a written statement to organisers he was “pleased” such events are able to proceed in Queensland despite Covid-related challenges:
“These workers have shown extraordinary dedication in the face of trying circumstances.”
In a statement posted to social media this week, a UTSS spokesman confirmed the tour would kick off on March 11 in Newcastle before playing its Gold Coast two weeks later.
“Our four international bands have clearance from the Australian Department of Immigration for entry into our country to tour with #UTSS2022,” the statement read.
“You may have read online that US citizens travelling to Australia cannot enter unless they’ve obtained a travel exemption.
“This is not the case for our acts, our Department of Immigration deems their travel of national interest to Australia and therefore their AU visa status waives the requirement for travel exemption.”
The tour will wind up in Brisbane on March 27 after lighting up Riverstage.
SHOW DETAILS
When: March 26, 2-3.30pm
Where: Southport Sharks, Musgrave Ave, Southport
Tickets: Available here
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