Best blues stars line up for fest

A beloved Gold Coast music festival has added Grammy Award-winning international stars to its epic 2024 line-up.

More than 140,000 music lovers are expected to attend the 23rd annual Blues on Broadbeach music festival, running May 16-19.

New Orleans-based musician Jon Cleary is among the performers announced this week as part of the show’s second line-up, joining fellow American Grammy Awardwinner Melissa Etheridge in the 65 artists confirmed so far.

The line-up also features the Hi Rhythm Section band, who will be joined on stage by award-winning producer Boo Mitchell – son of legendary Hi Records and Al Green producer Willie Mitchell.

“We can’t wait to bring the cool sounds that Memphis is so famous for to the iconic blues festival on the Gold Coast,” Mitchell said.

Festival director Mark Duckworth said the event was expected to draw fans from across the country and overseas. “Some of the world’s best blues artists will be here for the festival and fans will be hardpressed not to make the pilgrimage to the Gold Coast this year,” he said.

“Be prepared for a musical feast this May as we continue to stack more incredible new artists on what is already one of Blues on Broadbeach’s strongest line-ups.”

This year’s event will also introduce the Kurrawa Park Sunday Ticket, a ticket-only show on the final day of the traditionally free festival.

Ticketholders will get access to Kiwi band Fat Freddy’s Drop’s only Australian show of 2024, along with Gold Coast acts such as Tijuana Cartel.

The festival’s full line-up is expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.