Blues on Broadbeach, the Gold Coast’s very own home of blues music, is coming together with the city where it all started, Memphis.
Today Blues on Broadbeach announced an exciting three-year partnership with Memphis Tourism coming on board as an Official Support Partner of the festival from 2023-2025. The partnership formalises the festival’s long-held relationship with Memphis Tourism.
From the blues clubs on Beale Street, Memphis to the streets of Broadbeach Queensland, Memphis Tourism will play an integral role in bringing that unique Memphis blues sound to Blues on Broadbeach fans each year. This partnership falls in line with the ethos of festival producers Major Events Gold Coast, to deliver a truly authentic blues experience and nurture our growing blues music culture in Australia.
“Blues on Broadbeach has built a strong relationship with the team at Memphis Tourism for many years, curating some amazing festival performances from some of Memphis’ best,” said Festival Director Mark Duckworth.
“To see our partnership continue to grow for our 2023 event, and beyond, is a testament to the genre of blues music, and its ongoing journey around the world. We can’t wait to welcome many more legends from the home of blues music, to our Gold Coast stages.”
Thanks to Memphis Tourism, the recently announced Blues on Broadbeach 2023 lineup will, for the first time, include Memphis rhythm and blues artist Don Bryant.
“Memphis Tourism is thrilled to once again be partnering with Blues on Broadbeach,” said Chris Ingram, Director of Memphis Tourism Australia/New Zealand.
“Known as the home of blues and soul, Memphis is a perfect match for this festival and the synergies extend far beyond the music. We are incredibly excited to be welcoming Don Bryant and The Bo-Keys to the festival from Memphis, and we can’t wait to be part of another successful Blues on Broadbeach.”
Memberships to the festival’s exclusive Twelve Bar Society are on sale, and the Memphis Tourism partnership brings with it a truly special experience for 2023 members – an exclusive masterclass with rhythm and blues legend Don Bryant, and friends. An opportunity fans of soulful blues won’t want to miss!
The Twelve Bar Society was established in 2022 to offer the ultimate blues experience for avid Blues on Broadbeach fans and included exclusive offers and opportunities, selling out quickly in its inaugural year.
Along with the Don Bryant masterclass, 2023 membership will include a ‘secret show’, a special masterclass with one of the greatest acoustic guitarists, Tommy Emmanuel, an exclusive VIP bar and main stage viewing area and limited-edition merchandise. Don’t miss your opportunity to become a member of Twelve Bar Society available here.
Born in the blues capital of the world, Memphis native Don Bryant is among the greats of the genre. He is immortalized in the history books of music as the artist who penned “the best song ever”, as declared by John Lennon. The timeless hit I Can’t Stand The Rain is a song Don wrote for his wife Ann Peebles, one of many influential records he created as a solo artist and in collaboration with fellow blues elites, like Otis Clay and Al Green.
Twelve Bar Society members have the opportunity to experience a piece of blues history with Don Bryant himself at the very heart of it. With a career spanning over 50 years, Don will no doubt have a wealth of insight to offer in his masterclass, as well as a vast catalogue of soul, jazz and blues to perform on the Gold Coast in May. Sharing the stage with Don will be The Bo-Keys, a band of multi-instrumentalists from Memphis who bring together the sounds of classic rhythm & blues with their own distinct flavour.
For over two decades, Blues on Broadbeach has been an annual pilgrimage for blues fans, travelling to the Gold Coast from across states and seas to this unique four-day event. Now one of Australia’s largest music festivals, Blues on Broadbeach returns for its 22nd year from 18 – 21 May 2023 and will showcase some legendary names in the Australian and International blues scene. Don Bryant & The Bo-Keys (US) will be joined by the likes of Tommy Emmanuel, Don Walker, Emma Donovan & The Putbacks, The Kevin Borich Express, and The Turner Brown Band (US/AUS), plus many more to be announced.
Blues on Broadbeach is supported by the Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, and is a feature on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.