Bandwidth presented by Blues on Broadbeach
- Written by Sue McAullay
Bandwidth presented by Blues on Broadbeach will be a virtual showcase capturing live music performances from some of your favourite Blues on Broadbeach 2020 artists – all from the comfort of their own homes. Self-isolating music fans around the world are invited to join the party.
Amid a calendar of cancelled and postponed gigs and festivals, Broadbeach Alliance was adamant that Blues on Broadbeach would not be taken away from fans and is happy to announce that Australia’s largest free music festival will now be a 90-minute music event premiering Live on Facebook on Friday, May 15, 2020, at 7pm AEST. Northern hemisphere-based fans can also join in on this experience with a special encore screening on Saturday, May 16, 2020, at 7pm Los Angeles time PDT.
With a music career spanning five decades, TOMMY EMMANUEL (pictured above) plays at hundreds of sold-out shows around the world each year and impresses audiences with his emotional, authentic, and energetic performances. Not only is Tommy a national treasure, he was recently ranked THE greatest acoustic guitarist in the world today.
Auckland-based (via Canada) TAMI NEILSON (pictured above) is set to once again impress fans after blowing audiences away at last year’s Blues on Broadbeach. Described as a “fire-breathing belter” by Rolling Stone, new fans will be super impressed by Tami’s voice which comes straight from the golden age of soul, country and rockabilly music. Her incredible singing and songwriting have seen her win the ‘2014 APRA Silver Scroll Award’ as well as ‘Best Female Artist’ at the New Zealand Country Music Awards in 2010, 2011 and 2014.
"The best way to get rid of the blues is to sing the blues, so, I'm looking forward to joining you all online, with my brother Jay Neilson beaming in from Toronto to join me for a special set we've cooked up just for you!" said Tami Neilson.
High energy festival favourite, THE LACHY DOLEY GROUP (pictured above), has performed at over 200 concerts and festivals around the world, including several shows at Blues on Broadbeach over the years. Lachy Doley is the most celebrated Blues Soul Rock Organ Player in the world, hailed by Glenn Hughes from Deep Purple as ‘the greatest living keyboard player in the world today’. Tune in to see Lachy Doley’s electrifying 2016 Blues on Broadbeach performance.
“These are crazy times… and to musicians and live music lovers these important restrictions have taken away a piece of our heart, culture and livelihood,” said Lachy Doley. “I’m thrilled that Blues on Broadbeach have decided to bring the festival into our homes.
“Alongside the incredible line-up from what was to be this year’s ‘Blues on Broadbeach’ festival, I’m stoked to have my 2016 Blues on Broadbeach concert aired as part of this great initiative.
“I love this festival and it’s incredible loyal audience that I get to catch up with whenever I’m there. This performance was one of the most career-changing events in my life and I hope you enjoy it as much this time around.”
Festival Director Mark Duckworth says Bandwidth provides a fascinating way for fans to connect with some of their favourite artists through an online platform.
“The idea that Blues on Broadbeach would not make its annual appearance on the Gold Coast in 2020 was a shock to us all,” said Duckworth. “As we informed the artists and fans, the idea that we could band together to do something virtual immediately followed.
“Bandwidth is an online meeting point for our festival tribe, a celebration of our event and a snapshot of musicians working from home around the globe. It’s a non-traditional concert experience that we can provide for our audience to enjoy. Turn on, tune in, drop out."
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones welcomed today’s announcement.
“For years we’ve worked with organisers to build this event up to be one of Australia’s marquee music festivals. It would have been heartbreaking to have the event fall to the wayside in 2020,” Ms Jones said.
“As an industry, we’re facing incredible challenges at the moment.
“That’s why it’s great to see so many of our event organisers and tourism operators thinking outside the box to find new ways to get their message out and stay connected with people.
“Not only will Bandwidth appeal to the festival’s already strong following – it will open this event up to thousands more blues fans online.
“The potential for this event to grow the festival and bring more tourists to the Gold Coast in years to come is huge.”
