Monday, 24 November 2025

BLUES ON BROADBEACH STRIKES GOLD AS IT CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

Blues on Broadbeach will celebrate 25 years of rhythm, soul, and good times on the Gold Coast from May 14–17, 2026.

Fresh off winning Gold in the Major Festivals and Events category at the prestigious Queensland Tourism Awards, Australia’s much-loved rhythm and blues festival is gearing up for its biggest year yet.

The milestone festival will feature a world-class program of international and Australian artists, with The Teskey Brothers and American blues legend Charlie Musselwhite headlining the 25th anniversary program.

THE TESKEY BROTHERS
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
JUDITH HILL | ASH GRUNWALD
CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE
RUTHIE FOSTER | ROBERT FINLEY
THE LACHY DOLEY TRIO | KEVIN BORICH EXPRESS
DADDY LONG LEGS | WILSN | BLUE SHADDY | KAREN LEE ANDREWS
MASON RACK BAND | HORNS OF LEROY FT. THNDO
STEFAN HAUK | GEORGE & NORIKO | KARL S. WILLIAMS
ANGELA FABIAN | BB FACTORY
WAZEE WA KIJIJI | SWEET FELICIA & THE HONEYTONES
THE MOJO CORNER | OZ LATIN BROTHERS AND MANY MORE

The Teskey Brothers, finally making their long-awaited debut at Blues on Broadbeach, will perform an exclusive one-off show at the Sunday Ticket event.

Also announced in this first lineup is powerhouse vocalist Judith Hill, celebrated for collaborations with Prince, Michael Jackson, and Stevie Wonder, alongside Australian blues favourite Ash Grunwald, whose fiery live performances have earned him global acclaim.

The four-day free festival program will be headlined by Grammy Award-winning harmonica virtuoso Charlie Musselwhite, all the way from the USA, whose six-decade career has shaped the sound of modern blues. This will be Musselwhite’s first ever performance at Blues on Broadbeach.

Musselwhite will be joined by newly crowned American Grammy winner Ruthie Foster recognised for Best Contemporary Blues Album with Mileage (2024), and the gritty voice and soulful swagger of Robert Finley from Louisiana.

The homegrown lineup features some of Australia’s best blues and rhythm artists including festival favourites The Lachy Doley Trio returning with their explosive, organ driven performances and high energy shows.

Joining them is guitar icon Kevin Borich Express, a mainstay of the Australian music scene since the 1970s, and Karen Lee Andrews, set to captivate audiences with her powerful and emotive vocals as one of the festival’s standout performers.

Daddy Long Legs will make their highly anticipated second Australian appearance hailing from New York City, alongside Melbourne neo-soul star, WILSN, and Blue Shaddy. Gold Coast local Mason Rack Band returns for the 25th anniversary, being one of the first artists to perform at Blues on Broadbeach.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate “What a phenomenon… 25 years of celebrating fantastic blues music, millions of smiling faces over the years and now 17 prestigious awards.”

“This festival epitomises everything about our great city: its largely free program, it’s for families and it brings together people from all walks of life to dance, sing and groove their way through four days of entertainment with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop and the magical vibe of Broadbeach there for everyone to enjoy. Bring on 2026.’’


Experience Gold Coast Festival Director Mark Duckworth said “We’re bringing together an incredible lineup of more than 25 artists for our 25th anniversary first announcement, including four Grammy Award-winning performers.

“Blues on Broadbeach has evolved into one of the country’s best celebrations of rhythm and blues, and we can’t wait to welcome music lovers back to the streets and parks of Broadbeach for another four big days of unforgettable performances.”

Gold Coast musician Mason Rack, who has performed at 17 of the festival’s 25 editions said, “I have witnessed Blues on Broadbeach grow for 25 years.”

“Very few festivals I’ve played around the world come close to my hometown crowd at Blues on Broadbeach, which is always my biggest audience and hold my best memories.

“I’m incredibly proud of the organisers and all those behind the scenes who bring this festival to the masses the way they do. Bring on 2026!”


THE TWELVE BAR SOCIETY

The Twelve Bar Society is also back for 2026 and is an exclusive chance to connect even more deeply with Blues on Broadbeach and the artists you love. This year, members will hear from both Charlie Musselwhite and Ruthie Foster as part of the club’s In Conversation sessions. In addition, Twelve Bar Society Members will have access to the exclusive Secret Show on Thursday, exclusive VIP bar access, and up-close stage viewing gardens, will put you right in the heart of the action.

The Sunday Ticket and the Twelve Bar Society will sell quickly so jump on these tickets! The Sunday Ticket presale tickets will be available from 10am AEST Tuesday November 25. General Admission tickets will be on sale from 10am AEST Wednesday November 26.

ABOUT BLUES ON BROADBEACH

For a quarter of a century Blues on Broadbeach has turned the Gold Coast into a rhythm and blues mecca and it’s been quite the evolution. Starting out in 2002 as a two-stage festival with 5000 attendees, Blues on Broadbeach has since featured 600 artists over 25 years, and the 2026 edition is set to be bigger and better with more venues across the beachside precinct, continuing its legacy as one of Australia’s largest music festivals.

An annual pilgrimage for music lovers from all over the world, Blues on Broadbeach invites 2026 festivalgoers to celebrate their love of authentic blues and make new memories on the Gold Coast over an unforgettable four-day festival experience.

Blues on Broadbeach is produced by Experience Gold Coast and supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland.

BLUES ON BROADBEACH 2026

14-17 May | Broadbeach, Gold Coast

First lineup announcement HERE

SUNDAY TICKET
Pre-sale available from 10am AEST Tuesday November 25
Tickets on sale to the general public from 10am AEST Wednesday November 26
Available HERE

TWELVE BAR SOCIETY
Tickets on sale to the general public from 10am AEST Wednesday November 26
Available HERE

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