A little bit of rock and roll is good for the soul. So is a lot of rock and roll and just music in general really.

Which is probably the reason we Gold Coasters love a good music festival so much. Especially when that music festival takes place right here in our own sweet city and it promises the delightful sounds of some absolute rock gods to boot.

Surprise! Surfers Paradise LIVE is back guys and with it comes a lineup you absolutely won’t want to miss.

Yes friends, this year is set to be an absolute feast for your ears with Aussie rock legends Spiderbait, Jon Stevens and The Angels headlining a super-charged weekend of classic Aussie acts.

Not only those good times though, the much-loved local event is serving up one of its best ever line-ups with musos Vanessa Amorosi (love you), Mark Seymour and the Undertow, Baby Animals and Dragon to light up the main outdoor Beach Stage too.

Held from Thursday 30th April to Sunday 3rd May (which will probably be here in three days now that January is over), Surfers Paradise LIVE will announce even MORE epic headline acts over the next few weeks.

Honestly we could just die happy having Vanessa Amorosi help us relive our not-so-wild youth.

While the event is (and always has been) free, in 2020 there’ll be an option to purchase VIP passes guaranteeing exclusive front-of-stage access and the chance to meet all your faves.

First release VIP tickets will go live Tuesday 11 February for $79 per day or $199 for a three-day pass. Ticketed guests will have access to an exclusive LIVE bar at nominated times, as well as exclusive access to the front of stage area allowing for the ultimate viewing experience, the chance to mingle with artists, exclusive use of VIP toilets and access to watch all the LIVE music on a big screen if you’re in need of a break from the crowds (yes please).

Talented local artists will bring live music to the streets of Surfers Paradise every day of the festival and the main events will unfold each evening on the Beach Stage near the iconic Surfers Paradise sign. More can also be seen at Cavill Mall Stage and at White Rhino’s Beach Hut Stage.

It’s going to be an absolute time Gold Coasters, make sure you get in quick to get your tickets or mark April in the calendar for some of that soul soothing music you absolutely need (same) in your life.

WHEN: Thursday 30th April to Sunday 3rd May 2020

Words by Kirra Smith

Hold onto your hats lovers of beer gardens and all things outdoor drinking in the sunshine (so everyone), have we got news for you.

The Surfers Paradise Beer Garden, Surfers Paradise icon and keeper of many secrets has undergone an absolutely next-level renovation transforming it from the venue we all knew, loved and spent way to much of our youth in, to a must-visit, outdoor sipping destination.

The multi-million dollar transformation has seen the roof removed from the space to make way for a rooftop beer garden that is the first of it’s kind on the Gold Coast and it’s opening this Friday August 16th for your ogling pleasure.

Here’s the gist of the absolutely mind-blowing overhaul. The interior has changed from an entirely indoor area to a sunlit courtyard type area complete with bench-style seating (each with a built in ice bucket) and many a Corona umbrella dotted throughout. The bar is all yellow and white stripes with fishing rope strung from the ceiling and plenty of lovely mood lighting and our favourite part, a section absolutely packed with large-scale games of Connect 4, Jenga, a pool slash soccer situation, air hockey with the air (that could have an actual name) and COITS. So much fun.

There are balconies overlooking the ever-entertaining streets of Surfers, 18 sports screens and sunset live acoustic music to bring the legendary venue back to its former glory. Plus a whole lot of new glory too.

The menu is large and filled with goodness which is, of course, our favourite kind of menu. Think eats like share-style seafood and antipasto platters, small plates to share along the lines of Blue Corn Nachos, Pulled Pork Sliders, BBQ Pork Ribs and Southern Fried Chicken. All of which are very generous servings and all of which are very beautifully presented.

There are also pizzas; we were particularly partial to the Blue Shroom with blue cheese, prosciutto and mushrooms and burgers that are stacked high and very delicious. Of course there are steaks and faves like Chicken Parmigiana and Corona battered fish and chips. All the good things.

The cocktail menu features some tasty takes on all your favourites and we were (and always will be) very much loved the prettiest of Peach Bellinis.

The new and improved Surfers Paradise Beer Garden opens to the public this Friday night from 9pm so you can head in there and check out the sparkly newness for yourself.

Live music will take place on a Sunday afternoon so you can be absolutely sure that’s where the party is going to be from now on friends.

Exciting times.

LOCATION: Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
WHEN: August 16th, 2019

Words by Kirra Smith

Listen up ya’ll! In case you missed it, Groundwater Country Music Festival kicks off on Friday 12th November and goes until Sunday 14th November and we can hardly keep still in our boots. The best thing is, the team behind Groundwater are not holding back with rounding up heavy-hitting headliners like Casey Barnes, Troy Cassar-Daley, Adam Brand, The Wolfe Brothers, Graeme Connors and many more! So to get a taste of what the big weekend will entail, we spoke to Casey Barnes (who is a GC local) ahead of his big performance and also before he drops his new ‘Light It Up’ album.

For those who don’t know you, tell us a bit about yourself and your career to date?
I’m a proud Gold Coaster and have been living here now for a touch over 20 years, and based in Currumbin, one of my fav parts of the Coast! I’ve been fortunate enough to build a successful career over that time and still call the Gold Coast home. In my opinion, there’s nowhere else I’d prefer to live than here!

What/who got you into music?
I’d started my music career playing in pubs and clubs down in Tassie around the age of 18/19 but decided to ‘hit the mainland’ and had always loved the Gold Coast so it felt like the right place to base myself. My first real big break came around 2005 where I was lucky enough to land the support for Bryan Adams when he did his national tour. I have been fortunate enough to never look back since then!

When creating music, what is your main inspiration?
I’m really big on melody and hooks. The music side of things generally comes to me first then I’ll build the song/lyrics around that.

What do you consider your greatest achievement to date?
On a personal note, it’d be getting married to my wife Michelle and our two girls Charli and Emmy. On a career front, maybe the release of my latest album last year and being nominated for an ARIA award.. was pretty special!

Out of all your songs, which is your personal favourite and why?
Gee, that constantly changes to be honest! But, at the moment it’d be the brand new single ‘God Took His Time On You’. It’s one of my favs to play live and has also become a real crowd favourite over the last few months too!

What is your favourite song at the moment and why?
I’ve gotta say, the new Adele single is just brilliant. Loved it from the first time I heard it on the radio. On the country music front, I love the latest track by Jordan Davis called ‘Buy Dirt’.

For those who haven’t visited the Groundwater Festival before, what’s it like?
You get the best of everything at Groundwater. For starters, it’s in the BEST location right in Broadbeach along the water, with some of the best cafes, and restaurants and it’s all 100% free!

What are you most looking forward to for your set at Groundwater 2021?
There’s nothing better than a hometown show and this year we’re headlining the main stage on Friday night so that’s going to be awesome!

What can your fans expect from you over the next year?
Lots of exciting stuff! We’re about to announce my brand new album ‘Light It Up’ which is out Feb 25th, then we’re launching into my biggest ever national tour, so 2022 is set to be a lot of fun!

What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café: We love BSKT in Mermaid Beach
Coffee spot: My local in Currumbin called The Salt Mill
Restaurant: We love Kiyomi at The Star Gold Coast
Bar or pub for a drink: I love Miami Marketta as it also doubles as one of my fave live music venues too!

How do you choose to spend your weekends?
If I’m not away on tour, it’s always with my family! We live in Currumbin so you’ll normally find us over summer at the beach or along Currumbin Creek. We love it here!