Blues On Broadbeach goes online with Bandwidth live stream event

Blues On Broadbeach is forging ahead in 2020 with a virtual event called Bandwidth, set to take place on Facebook Live.

While this year’s Blues On Broadbeach joined dozens of postponed and cancelled gigs due to the coronavirus pandemic, organisers Broadbeach Alliance have been adamant that the festival take place in some format.

Bandwidth presented by Blues On Broadbeach will bring live music to the homes of fans, via a 1.5 hour event on Friday, May 15 at 7pm AEST.

“The idea that Blues on Broadbeach would not make its annual appearance on the Gold Coast in 2020 was a shock to us all,” says festival director Mark 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.”

The Broadbeach Alliance has secured a fantastic lineup for the virtual event, with Tommy Emmanuel, Tami Neilson, Karen Lee Andrews, The Turner Brown Band, The Black Sorrows and more to perform.

They’ll perform from self-isolation to give fans a taste of the blues to get them through these hard times.

“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.

The Lachy Doley Group has performed several times at Blues On Broadbeach, and their 2016 set will be streamed during the concert.

“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 Doley. “I’m thrilled that Blues on Broadbeach have decided to bring the festival into our homes.”

Tourism Industry Development Minister, Kate Jones, welcomed the news, adding “It would have been heartbreaking to have the event fall to the wayside in 2020,”

“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.”

There will also be an encore event taking place on Saturday, May 16 at 7pm Lost Angeles time PDT for Northern Hemisphere-based fans.