Over five big days and nights from 8-12 June 2022, Cooly Rocks On returns to the streets of Coolangatta, bringing with it the tunes of yesteryear, the rev of engines and a packed bill of national and international artists.
Cooly Rocks On is renowned as being one of the largest and most authentic nostalgia events of its kind in Australia. It is one of Major Events Gold Coast’s four key annual festivals and is supported by Tourism and Events Queensland.
Major Events Gold Coast Festival Director Mark Duckworth said this year’s Cooly Rocks On is a true celebration of the motors, music and lifestyle of yesteryear.
Each year Cooly Rocks On works hard to curate an entertainment line-up that pays homage to this fantastic era and gives our festival fans an authentic and unique experience, and this year’s program certainly doesn’t disappoint.
Mark Duckworth, Festival Director
For the first time, Cooly Rocks On will host an Indonesian rockabilly band – The Hydrant – as one of the festival’s headline acts. It will be the band’s first visit to Australia, and we are sure it won’t be the last.
Known for their elaborate outfits and authentic rockabilly sound, The Hydrant will have Cooly rocking with their unique Bali flavour and are set to become an instant hit with festival goers.
Also on the bill are four headline Elvis tribute acts to honour the King of Rock n’ Roll. They include Australasia’s leading tribute artists Jack Gatto, Brendon Chase, Che Orton and Brody Finlay – each uniquely capturing the various stages of Elvis’ career.
The 2022 festival features so much great music including the best rockabilly, swing and rock n’ roll around as well as tributes to Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley and Australia's own 'The Wild One' Johnny O'Keefe that shouldn’t be missed!
Mark Duckworth, Festival Director
A highlight of Cooly Rocks On once again will be the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist (UETA) contest. This renowned event is one of only 10 festivals worldwide officially acknowledged by Elvis Presley Enterprises. The winner of the Cooly Rocks On UETA contest will earn a place and represent Australia in the finals during Elvis Week at Graceland in August 2022.
In a very special Cooly Rocks On-first, Australia’s original King of Rock, The Wild One, Johnny O’Keefe (JOK) will be honoured with the Johnny O’Keefe Story – a two-hour extravaganza fronted by Vicky O’Keefe, JOK’s daughter.
Cooly Rocks On will mark the return of many crowd favourites, including high-energy young band, Ross & The Wildest. The Flattrakkers, Ezra Lee and Louis King, The Satellites, Issi Dye and The Hellcatt III are all on the jam-packed 2022 program that takes place across the five-day festival from 8-12 June.
And what would Cooly Rocks On be without the motors! More than 1000 motors will be on show this year across the festival, including two, three and four-wheelers. Check out some of the Classic Cars, Hot Rods and Motorcycles on display in the annual Show ‘N’ Shine or venture over to the Kustomville precinct where art, kustom cars and choppers combine for a show that’s sure to appeal to people of all ages.
Our Pin-up Pageant combines the classic and rockabilly pageants that you have come to know and love at Cooly Rocks On over the years, into one feature event. Make sure you dress to impress for Cooly Rocks On 2022 because our Pin-ups will be! Or find the perfect outfit in the vintage, retro and nostalgia markets stalls along the Coolangatta beachfront.
Tickets for Cooly Rocks On feature shows within the Elvis Marquee will be on sale 5 April, with an exclusive VIP offering set to launch 22 March, 2022. Performances on outdoor stages during the festival are free for the public to enjoy.
Accommodation throughout the Gold Coast is available to be booked now and with over 60 flights per day landing right on the doorstep for Cooly Rocks On, it is easy to enjoy a winter getaway from wherever around Australia, New Zealand and South-East Asia you are looking to travel from. We’ll see you there!