McAlister to open yah-huge weekend
STONE the crows!
It’s a rare treat indeed for an artist of Drew McAlister’s calibre to rise and shine to open a festival bill as the first act of the day – at 10am.
Four-time Golden Guitar winner McAlister will perform an acoustic set in the Broadbeach Mall today to officially launch the three-day Broadbeach Country Music Festival – and celebrate today’s release of his new single, Coming Your Way.
The single is the first track from his upcoming album of the same name, due out on September 30 when he plays the Deni Ute Muster.
No stranger to the Coast, McAlister is back by popular demand after a rousing show at last year’s country festival.
“I don’t think I’ve ever opened a festival,” he said.
“And it’s been a long time since I’ve done an acoustic performance. I’m looking forward to it. There are lots of stories behind the songs – it will be nice to play them this way and talk about them.”
McAlister will also play two shows with his full band – at TC’s Bar on Saturday at 7pm and in Surf Parade on Sunday at 12.20pm.
Presented by Broadbeach Alliance, this year’s fifth annual country shindig features
more than 110 free shows across 12 stages from today until Sunday including:
TODAY
12.40pm, Broadbeach Mall: Canadian husband and wife duo Tomato Tomato play old-timey folk percussion and harmonies on their second trip to Australia.
7.10pm, Surf Parade: The most awarded country music artist of the year (he took out three Golden Guitar Awards and two CMC awards), Travis Collins plays his only show at the festival with his full band.
8:35pm, Surf Parade: King of country Troy Cassar-Daley plays with his full band.
SATURDAY
1.50pm, Surf Parade: Australian Idol’s Hayley Jensen returns to her country roots. 3.15pm, Kurrawa Big Top: Troy Cassar-Daley uncovers his alter ego Tex Dubbo for some classic country and western swing in the festival’s new venue — the big top in Kurrawa Park. The Tex Dubbo show pays homage to the music that’s shaped his life and career.
7.30pm, Surf Parade: Find out why Australia’s new country it-girl, Fanny Lumsden, was crowned CMC New Artist of the Year at The Star Gold Coast earlier this year.
7.45pm, Kurrawa Big Top: Australia’s Got Talent stars The Wolfe Brothers swap the farm in Tasmania for the beach to show off their twist on modern country rock.
9pm, Surf Parade: Kasey Chambers. Say no more.
SUNDAY
4.05pm, Surf Parade: You can guarantee a sublime set from super songwriter Shane Nicholson as her performs favourites from his six solo albums and shares new material from his latest release.
4.30pm, Kurrawa Big Top: Sara Storer’s knack for storytelling earned her a recordbreaking seven Golden Guitars at the Tamworth Country Music Awards.
5.40pm, Surf Parade: Singalong to hits including Horse With No Name when the festival’s first international headliners, US greats America, close out the weekend on the main stage.