THOUSANDS IN SURFERS FOR BEACH TUNES
THE more than 100,000 people passing through Surfers Paradise LIVE this weekend are a far cry from its humble beginnings under a shopping centre five years ago.
The four-day music festival this year had 128,000 pass at 40 different stages.
Featured in the line-up were Gold Coast favourites Peach Fur, up-and-coming star San Mei, Casey Barnes, Reece Mastin, The Living End, Hoodoo Gurus and Daryl Braithwaite.
It was another step up from last year, when thousands flocked to see Jimmy Barnes headlining.
Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO Mike Winlaw said the festival’s success came from “continued investment”.
“Year one we had a small trailer stage bumped in under the mall,” he said.
“The Gold Coast has been the entertainment capital, particularly of live music and particularly Surfers Paradise. You’ve only got to look at the pubs and clubs still playing live music regularly.”
The festival kicked off with the Gold Coast Music Awards, the third year of a five-year partnership between the two events.
GCMA director Samantha Morris said there was mutual benefit.
“As a small event there’s no way (the music awards) would have been able to close the esplanade, or even hire a marquee like the one they use,” she said.
“The fact they bring it in a day early for us and share those resources is incredibly generous but also a testament to support for original music on the Gold Coast.
“They get a sense (of who’s good) from us. We help them include emerging talent from the city, we’re able to help fill the program with as much Gold Coast talent as possible.”