Broadbeach Country Music Festival hits record 50,000 attendance

Last weekend’s Broadbeach Country Music Festival in Queensland hit a record new attendance, with 50,000 over three days, according to organisers Broadbeach Alliance.

While the exact tally is still beingcalculated, Alliance CEO Jan McCormick estimates the free festival grew by between 15,000 to 20,000 in 2017, in it’s fifth year.

“It’s been a steady growth since it started,” McCormick told TMN. “There was clearly a need for an event like this on the Coast.

“We don’t have camping, people stay in local accommodation.There’s no drinking except in designated bar areas. It’s a clean and safe family-friendly event.”

In 2016, crowds were up 33% to almost 27,900 over three days. 35% of them were from the Coast, 36% from around Queensland, 29% from interstate and 2% from overseas. They injected $6.4 million into the local economy.

This year’s early figures are showing a rise in overseas travellers, mostly from New Zealand.

The 2017 growth could be attributed to good weather, a move to July as well as a mix of 25 acts, ranging from its first international headliner America (“it took us a couple of years to get them:) Kasey Chambers, Troy Cassar-Daley and The Wolfe Brothers; to emerging talents as Caitlyn Shadbolt, Fanny Lumsden and Neilly Rich.

Negotiations have already begun with some international names for the 2018 version, post the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, with more stages to be added to this year’s 12.

Broadbeach Alliance is a not-for-profit organisation, so further growth will depend on fresh sponsorships.

McCormick says the country festival is building using the model of its elder sibling, Blues On Broadbeach, which is held over four days.

In May, the blues festival attracted a record 200,000 over four fays, generating 100,000 visitors nights and a fresh injection of $23.9 million into the local economy.

The Broadbeach Alliance is a council body that promotes and markets the Broadbeach precinct, working with local businesses to bring economic benefit.