Airlie Beach music festival returns for 11th year on the shores of Great Barrier Reef

The Airlie Beach Festival of Music returns for an 11th year in 2023. Held on the shores of the Great Barrier Reef, the festival delivers a stellar line-up of acts each year.

Returning to the Whitsunday Sailing Club, the Airlie Beach Festival of Music will be under the big tent from 9th-12th November. Music is spread throughout multiple venues - all easy to get to and fully equipped with no need to bring camping chairs.

It is widely acknowledged the festival has transformed what was once Airlie Beach’s quietest weekend into the busiest, with the calendar re-set for each November on the weekend after the Melbourne Cup.

The first announcement for 2023 sees the festival bringing Ian Moss, Frenzal Rhomb, The Superjesus and Pierce Brothers to The Whitsundays.

Australian musicians, Ian Moss delivers an unforgettable sound – a talented soloist on guitar and a silken voice, ringing with clarity and resonating with pure soul.

Forming in the early nineties, Frenzal Rhomb have gone on to bless stages everywhere over countless world tours and sharing stages with the likes of NOFX and Nickleback. The band are gearing up for the release of their 10th album, The Cup of Pestilence, which is due to come out on 7th April.

For years now twin brothers Jack and Patrick Pierce’s high-energy duo Pierce Brothers has been a staple of the Australian indie-folk/blues and roots scene, captivating festival goers and headlining sold-out venues the world over, including most recently a sold-out European and UK tour in 2022. After becoming festival favourites from their incredible 2018 performance, Pierce Brothers are excited for their return to the festival in 2023!                    

The Superjesus are one of Australia’s most respected rock outfits, remaining a staple on Aussie rock radio. Hailing from Adelaide in the late 90’s they won three ARIA Awards and released three platinum albums; Sumo, Jet Age and Rock Music. The band are gearing up for the release of their fourth studio album.

The Superjesus front-woman Sarah Mcleod is excited to be returning as the festival ambassador for a second year running - armed with a healthy zest for all things tropical and The Superjesus with a new record and a new line-up!

Australia's undeniable queen of honky tonk Wanita joins the line-up in 2023. Her latest album I'm Wanita hosts a mix of Honky Tonk, Rockabilly, Rock’n’roll and Country Music and came alongside the release of her documentary of the same name. Wanita will be boot-scooting on the stage this November.

Completing the first line-up announcement for 2023 are festival-favourite Matty Rogers, last year's Passport to Airlie winners Perry Street Park (above) and Buskers by the Lake winner Tanya George.

Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive, Rick Hamilton is excited to see the town come alive with music again in November and shares “The music festival brings people here from all over Australia and the world, Gavin (festival founder Gavin Butlin) and his team have turned one of our quietest weekends into one busy enough to rival school holiday numbers.

“This truly is a music festival for everyone; there’s plenty of music to see on the main stage and in the local venues and for those looking to fill their days with activities, there’s plenty to experience on the water or the land with our many tourism operators.” 

Tickets are on sale now, starting at $300 for a three-day pass.

For more information visit airliebeachfestivalofmusic.com.au/