Airlie Beach Festival of Music celebrates 10th Anniversary with diverse line-up

The Airlie Beach Festival of Music has a reputation for always delivering a diverse line-up and will continue to offer something for everyone at this year’s 10th anniversary event.

The Airlie Beach Festival of Music is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ)

Tourism Whitsunday’s Chief Executive Rick Hamilton, said the festival’s setting was a massive drawcard and adding “The Airlie Beach Festival of Music is where live music meets the Great Barrier Reef.

“It’s the tropical, waterfront equivalent of Birdsville’s Big Red Bash, where topaz seas replace red dunes, and where some of Australia’s hero experiences provide the backdrop to a totally unique destination event every music fan should experience at least once in their life.”

Jon Stevens, Masters of Pop, Loonaloop, Ben Ransom, The Re-Mains, Niksta, The Hipshooters, Matt Angell and The Gold Diggers, Salt and Steel, and Tropical State of Mind, will join the all-star line-up from November 4th-6th.

Having performed and holidayed in The Whitsundays many times before, but never at the Airlie Beach Festival of Music, Jon Stevens notes “I’ve heard lots of great reports about the Airlie Beach festival over the years and have always wanted to perform there. “I can’t wait to play this festival and share the stage with all the amazing Australian artists on the line-up.

Keeping the fun of the 70’s alive for music lovers is an alliance between James Blundell, Steve Mulry, China (John Paul Young), Brett Williams (Choirboys), Tony Mitchell (Sherbert), and Greg Henson (Jon English) - Masters of Pop are the players from the bands that made the hits still heard on repeat across radio networks worldwide.

After headlining the Airlie Beach Festival of Music four years ago as part of the Ted Mulry Gang, Steve Mulry said his memories of the event were “magnificent”.

“It was such a good crowd and really responsive – just alive,” he said.

“The view – being so close to the water and driving in was what I remember most, it was unusual – it’s not something you do often and in fact I haven’t done anything like that since.

“It feels like you’re on holiday; everyone’s having a good time, there’s no stress, and that alone gives it that little bit of an extra edge.”

Mulry said fans were in for a stellar performance from Masters of Pop, with the band promising hits from each of its members’ platinum record repertoires.

“It’ll be songs that people know and will remember from years gone by, being played by the people who were actually in those bands so expect a good time,” he said.

“Also, this a band that doesn’t perform very often – we do selective gigs because we’re all so busy with our individual commitments so it’s a rare experience to see us all come together – and here you’ll be able to come and see us in paradise.”

Festival fans looking for a more modern twist won’t want to miss Loonaloop.

Fresh from the international club circuit and with performances such as Glastonbury Festival’s main dance stage under their belts, Loonaloop are described by Mixmag UK as “mesmerising” and “a unique and powerful act, with a profound ability to seduce and transport the audience and get the dancefloor totally rocking”.

Festival founder, Gavin Butlin, said with Ben Ransom representing country, blues and pub rock, The Re-Mains playing their very own brand of country rock ‘n’ roll, The Hipshooters and Salt and Steel bringing the grounded sounds of blues and roots, Matt Angell and The Gold Diggers playing indie folk, Tropical State of Mind symbolising surf flavour and pop funk, and the Americana-esque Niksta joining country music legend Bill Chambers on stage, there was something for literally everyone at this 10th anniversary event.

Other acts on the 2022 line-up include The Animals (UK), Eskimo Joe, Ben Lee, Rogue Traders, Rick Price, Lloyd Spiegel, Lily and King, Innocent Eve, Lash 78, Mardi Wilson, the Badloves and Mi-Sex.

Three day passes cost $300 and include access to the grand final of the national talent search ‘Passport to Airlie’ on Thursday, 3rd November, and official festival After Party on Monday, 7th November – both headlined by Superjesus frontwoman Sarah McLeod.

To purchase tickets or for more information visit www.airliebeachfestivalofmusic.com.au

Images from top: Jon Stevens; Tropical State of Mind; Loonaloop Live WBPF