QUIRKY FOLK DUO THE ONES TO WASH
ONE of the more intriguing acts playing the Broadbeach Country Music Festival is washboard-wielding Canadian duo Tomato Tomato.
Husband-and-wife pairing John and Lisa McLaggan have arrived on the Gold Coast to make their festival debut with sets on each day from tomorrow to Sunday.
Mrs McLaggan said she started playing a washboard – which is literally an oldschool clothes washing board – four years ago after seeing another band using one.
“I was just looking on Youtube at some bands and saw this group in New Orleans and a guy had a washboard. I said it looks like a lot of fun.”
She has added cans and a symbol and also plays drums with her feet, while her husband plays guitar and joins her on the vocal.
The folk duo, who are travelling with their six-yearold daughter, confirmed their festival slot after they met its director Mark Duckworth at a music conference in Canada two years ago.
“He grabbed us and said we must get your act for our festival,” she said.
Tomato Tomato play at 12.30pm tomorrow, 1.45pm on Saturday and at 1.10pm on Sunday.
They are one of 40 acts putting on 110 live performances and 128 hours of music across the free festival.
Broadbeach Alliance CEO Jan McCormick said about 40,000 people were expected, with main stages on Surf Parade and the beachfront.
America is headlining along with top Australian acts Kasey Chambers, Troy Cassar-Daley and Shane Nicholson. Australia’s Got Talent stars The Wolfe Brothers are also playing.
See Tomato Tomato in action at www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au