Blues on Broadbeach celebrates 24 years
Year after year, legions of loyal fans make the pilgrimage to the Gold Coast for Blues on Broadbeach. Get to know some of the characters who just can’t stay away.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Blues on Broadbeach got off to a soggy start, but by Saturday afternoon there were blue skies as blues ballads rang out across the Broadbeach precinct.
For many of the folk already soaking up the tunes on Saturday morning, attending the festival is an annual pilgrimage.
One such couple was Zak Zuiderduin and Frankie Burton, who said they’ve come almost every year since its inception in 2002.
“I think we only missed the first two,” Ms Burton said.
“We came for the daytime because we couldn’t afford to stay, but now we come and stay at the Venetian,” she said.
“We missed one year when Covid was on,” Mr Zuiderduin added.
They said they just can’t stay away: the music is too good.
“I often tell people that even the lesser acts here at Blues on Broadbeach are ten times better than any of these idiots on those stupid reality shows,” Mr Zuiderduin said.
“These people are fair dinkum musicians and they’re living it, you know.”
For Alan Reade, Byron Stevens, Keepa Tuuta and Jock Hardy, Blues on Broadbeach is the one time of the year they know they’ll get together.
“We went to school together, and Alan’s my cousin,” Mr Stevens said.
“We all come from a small place on the west coast of the north island (of New Zealand),” Mr Tuuta said.
The men have been friends for decades and were really excited to be among the music, all clamouring to say what they loved most about the festival.
“It’s great coming here though because you turn around and there’s music,” Mr Reade said.
“There’s music everywhere, you go to breakfast and there’s music.”
They also said they love that the festival seems to attract a good crowd: “I’ve never seen any trouble,” Mr Kuuta said.
The highlight of the festival is set to take place on Sunday afternoon when Jimmy Barnes takes to the stage at Kurrawa Park to perform his album “Soul Deep.”
Barnes’ performance is the only ticketed gig of the festival, and if you’re keen to get in on the action tickets are still available for $129 through Oztix.
Otherwise, free music will continue at plenty of venues including Victoria Park Stage, Federation Park Stage, Surf Parade Stage, Oracle Boulevard Stage, Den Devine, The Lucky Squire, Sage Restaurant, Broadbeach Mall Piano Bar, The Loose Moose, Oasis level 1, The Star Gold Coast, TC’s Bar and Gaming Lounge, Soho Bar, The Beach Hotel Broadbeach, and The Broadbeach.
More information about set times can found here: bluesonbroadbeach.com
More Coverage
Originally published as Blues on Broadbeach celebrates 24 years
Mum and son lace up for Gold Coast marathon challenge
More than a decade after hanging up her running shoes, a Gold Coast mum is stepping up to the start line at a Gold Coast marathon challenge. To help tackle the race, she’s recruited the most motivating coach of all: her son.
Couple with newborn due in days face being deported from Qld
An expat couple who have been living in Queensland for a decade face being deported back to the UK after their pleas went unanswered despite spending $40k on visas.