Blues on Broadbeach was a smash once again this year, oozing with overflowing mojo vibin’ and jivin’. With everything from stripped-down intimate acoustic performances to a skankin’ 20-piece orchestra that got everybody to boogie down, the festival was a huge success for the Goldie.
As in past years, Victoria Park and Kurrawa Park stages were the biggest spots this year, with the latter hosting headline acts as usual. Everything was easy to navigate because the event was well-organised. The festival was all good vibes blessed with four straight days of fine sunshine, blue skies, and cold breezy evenings.
On some 15 stages (including a secret show and blues masterclasses), around 41 acts performed (some played more than once at different times) from 18 to 21 May 2023. We tried to watch them all, but it was impossible to do so. Nonetheless, we enjoyed what we saw (75% of the lot), but here are our top 12 highlights (in alphabetical order). It’s hard to choose, we know.
1. C.J. Lee
One of the strongest and most striking acts, albeit playing solo, during the festival was multi-instrumentalist C.J. Lee. Stomping a kick drum and a maraca-equipped snare while playing either guitar, banjo or harmonica, C.J. Lee delivered subterranean guttural blues and country roots music that certainly caught everyone’s attention.
2. Chris Cheney
A prominent figure in the Australian music industry, Chris Chenney primarily played songs from his new solo album. The music sounded different from the last time I saw him play with The Living End on the Gold Coast four years ago, as he performed pop-rock-sounding materials that are deeply personal this time. Still, the bluesy influence was evident in his songs as well as the demonstration of his guitar journey through the classic ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’ intro and his rockabilly guitar picking skills. It was a highly charged, charismatic performance overall.
3. Dezzie D and the Stingrayz
Getting everyone up and dancing at 10:00AM is not an easy task, but Dezzie D and the Stingrayz did an excellent job with their take on classic rhythm & blues. With their upbeat and confident kind of tunes, Dezzie D and the Stingrayz got the early risers up and grooving with tunes like ‘Burnt Toast and Black Coffee’ and ‘Good Rockin’ Daddy’.
4. Diamonds and the Blues
Lady Fox’s soulful voice awed the audience at all four venues where they performed during the festival. Laying the rhythm and mood, Diddy Reyes provided his fundamental blues accompaniment to complete the experience. Although they generally performed during the day, Diamonds and the Blues served a sultry cabaret jazz blues more apt for a night-time speakeasy scene.
5. Emma Donovan and the Putbacks
Collaborating with The Putbacks, Emma Donovan and the band delivered a powerful performance that resonated with everyone in the audience. Songs like ‘Out the Door,’ which had everyone jamming their funky moves, exemplified the liveliness of the set, while the thrilling ‘The Promised Land’ rendered the crowd speechless – a testament to Emma Donovan and the Putback’s authority and authenticity.
6. Heavy Wax
Gold Coasters Heavy Wax let the crowd loose with a non-stop funky set that had all ages dancing the night away. With only one schedule booked for the entire festival, the band made sure everyone will remember them and their hometown festival set. From their reggae-inspired anthem ‘Take Life Easy’ to a cover of House of Pain’s ‘Jump Around’ among others, Heavy Wax heated up the cold breezy arvo as the sun was going down.
7. Lecia Louise
Lecia Louise and her band enthralled the audience with her dash of rock, blues, and country. Armed with bluesy guitar licks and riffs, Lecia Louise exhibited why she’s a force to be reckoned with and why she deserves to be one of the very few women guitar slingers this year (the limited rep is unfortunate, and we hope to see more of them next year). I also must mention how slick her overdriven guitar tone was.
8. Lloyd Spiegel
Appearing as part of a (not-so) secret set, Lloyd Spiegel gave a mesmerising solo performance on the festival’s first night. It was a satisfying entertainment experience witnessing his guitar virtuosity, compelling voice, and delightful storytelling. Trombonist Lisa Braid jumped in halfway through the set to add a unique musical layer with her instrumentals and harmonies. Such a treat for Twelve Bar Society members (and some other audiences who found out the secret).
9. Melbourne Ska Orchestra
What do you do when you’re in front of a 20-piece orchestra playing ska music for an hour and a half? Dance, of course. It was such a joy to see how Nicky Bomba commanded both the band and the crowd throughout the Melbourne Ska Orchestra set. It’s a whole busload of fun, fantastic vibes, exhilarating entertainment, and a musical experience. What a fitting way to end the festival with such high-energy music.
10. Steph Strings
From percussive rhythmic strumming to soothing fingerstyle guitar work, Steph Strings is living up to her name as she demonstrated her guitar skills during her solo set. Steph’s mesmerising guitar dexterity in ‘San Remo’ and ‘Antigone,’ as well as her reassuring voice in ‘Lila’ and ‘Lion,’ just simply captivated the audience. Steph Strings’ music, voice and presence were guarantees that she has the right to be one of the few solo acts (if not the only one this year) to play at the Victoria Park Stage.
11. The Turner Brown Band
To play thrice on two of the festival’s main stages is an attestation to The Turner Brown Band’s strong presence. The band’s high-energy performance is highlighted by Nikki D Brown’s raw vocal power and Dom Turner’s bluesy singing. Both also took turns showing off their slide guitar and electric guitar solos, which was amazing to watch. The tight rhythm section is also worthy of praise, as they held the groove so the crowd could be pumped with a spirited blues mojo experience.
12. Tommy Emmanuel
What else is there to say about the legendary Tommy Emmanuel? It was certainly a privilege to witness Tommy, one of the world’s best guitarists and hardest-working musicians. He was seamlessly alternating between charming the crowd with his stories and bedazzling us with his guitar wizardry. If you are a guitarist or a musician in general, you should not miss Tommy Emmanuel when he returns to town since his mastery of the instrument is definitely one for the books.
