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Matt Ward

Gold Coast Entertainment Producer.

He’s the longtime Gold Coast lad doing big things in the world of performance arts and he’s about to bring one of the most fun musicals around to The Star Gold Coast. Yes it’s Mamma Mia! Gold Coasters, and you can watch it on stage right here this July.

We sat down for a chat with Matt about his company Matt Ward Entertainment and all the exciting work he’s doing to bring the arts to the people.

How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I was born and bred here on the Gold Coast. I had to move away to pursue my career after high school and have lived overseas for a long period of time, but now I’m back and loving it!

What do you love most about living here?
I love that all my family are here still. There’s something very comforting and grounding knowing you have that amazing support around you and the fact that I can be living on the Gold Coast and able to pursue my passion. I’ve really enjoyed being a part of the growth of the arts sector on the Coast and I’m looking forward to contributing to that continued growth as the Gold Coat becomes known as a destination for top tier arts and culture.

Tell us about your upcoming production of Mamma Mia! at The Star Gold Coast, what can we expect?
I am so excited to be bringing this iconic musical to the Gold Coast. We (Gold Coast) are often overlooked when they tour these shows in Queensland. Mamma Mia! Is the ultimate feel-good musical. Jammed packed with all the iconic ABBA songs, what’s not to love about it? You can expect a great night out and dancing in the aisles!

What does it take to put a show like this together?
Many sleepless nights! A great team working towards the same goal. A cast that are equally passionate as they are talented and a community that comes together to support theatre.

What else does your company, Matt Ward Entertainment do?
We mentor and provide education and performance opportunities for our local emerging artists. This is really important to me and why I created Matt Ward Entertainment. I had to leave the Gold Coast to study and pursue my career as the opportunities weren’t here. In many of our youth development programs students have gone on to be accepted into reputable performing arts degrees and sustain careers as working professionals. Matt Ward Vocal Studios is another big piece of what we do. Students have gone on to successful recording careers, The Voice, Australia’s Got Talent and leads in some of the biggest musicals all around the world! And we have just established a new creative space in Bundall.

Talk us through some career highlights thus far…
One of the highlights was creating The Greenroom Project which is a platform that develops new talent and provides a showcase opportunity. It was such a huge success and we look forward to relaunching that again soon. Another highlight was my first musical production RENT. It’s such a harrowing experience not knowing if people would come to the show and risking a tonne of money on a passion project but having it sell out weeks before we opened was definitely a relief and now a career highlight.

How did all of this begin for you?
High School was the catalyst definitely. I was always in the school musicals. From 15, I was in every Arts Centre Gold Coast production and had lessons every day. Then I was accepted into NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Arts) and I was lucky enough to have a career from there.

What else do you have happening in 2020?
Beside Mamma Mia!, I am looking at producing some new Australian and local artists, as well as workshopping and developing new shows here at home!

Favourites on the Coast:

Cafe for breakfast: Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day! You will find me most weekday mornings at Manola Bro’s and on a weekend, we usually head to a dog friendly cafe in Mermaid!

Coffee spot: I loooove my coffee! Rafiki and Papercup Coffee are a couple of favs.

Restaurant for dinner: I love all the restaurants on the Gold Coast. From cheap eat Thai to steak Glenelg Public House to the incredible chicken at Social Eating House! We are spoilt for choice these days.

How does your weekend usually look: I love the weekends! During the week my partner and I live busy lives so weekends are about catching up with each other, hanging out with friends and spending time with our golden retriever – Gatsby! 🙂

The Star Gold Coast

Nineteen at The Star Bar

15 live music venues on the Gold Coast

Live Music at Miami Marketta (image supplied by Destination Gold Coast)
Live Music at Miami Marketta (image supplied by Destination Gold Coast)

There are a great many things to get amongst on the GC, and these days, a thriving local music scene is undeniably one of them. And we can all agree, if there’s one thing that takes kicking back with a frosty refreshment to a whole new level, it’s getting your ears around some sweet tunes while you do it.

From dank, hidden indie dive bars to classic pub-style serenades for the whole fam to vibe to – whatever genre you’re in the mood for, there’s bound to be a venue to match.

Hound & Stag
The new kid on Arundel’s block has been hitting all the right notes since they slid open their enormous barn door late last year. Hound and Stag is now the GC’s largest combining craft brews and live music, and honestly, how could you go wrong with a combo like that?! The regular array of gigs, open mic nights and 90’s nights are the big old auditory cherry on top of an excellent atmosphere, brew-pub bites and endless frosty beverages here, folks.
Where: 13 Wrights Place, Arundel

Hound & Stag Brewing Co, Arundel (Image: © 2022 Inside Gold Coast)
Hound & Stag Brewing Co, Arundel (Image: © 2022 Inside Gold Coast)

Southport Sharks
One of Queenland’s largest AFL clubs, Southport Sharks is a family-friendly gem that’s more than merely a haven for footy fans to wet their whistles. With multiple venues and areas built-in, this Babushka doll vibing spot always has something going on, including live acts every weekend if you’re in the mood to groove. Every Friday and Saturday night, there’s an assortment of free gigs going down, from retro RnB shows, classic pub rock to tribute acts to get those toes tapping. Might we suggest first swinging by Mozza Mozza, apparently carb-loading is important before strenuous activity.
Where: Cnr Musgrave and Olsen Avenues, Southport

Vinnies Dive
We can always count on our local dive bar to deliver us the very dankest of gigs, and Vinnie’s Dive does exactly that. Championing our local music scene, they’re no strangers to big alt/indie names such as Dear Seattle, DZ Deathrays, Wil Wagner (The Smith Street Band) The Bennies and Regurgiator gracing their small but mighty stage – in addition to karaoke and themed tribute nights. We think this review sums it up best: “It’s dark, the floors are sticky, the toilets seats are occasionally broken, the beers are icy cold and the staff are the best people you’ll ever meet.” Get down there for great times and even better gigs (just leave the flimsy pluggas at home).
Where: Shops A & B, 44A Nerang Street, Southport

Vinnies Dive (image supplied)
Vinnies Dive (image supplied)

The Avenue
When it comes to finding live acts and having yourself a good time on the central Gold Coast, you’ll be hard pushed to look past The Avenue in Surfers Paradise. From comedy nights, drag shows, DJ’s, karaoke and themed evenings, there’s something going down at The Avenue each and every night of the week.

Work week got you feeling flat? We recommend Tunes on Tuesday or Feel Good Friday’s to recharge with some dance therapy and pulse-pounding beats. Those vibes will be back on track in no time.
Where: 3-15 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Surfers Pavilion
Should you arrive by jet ski or by Uber, it doesn’t matter. Surfers Pavilion is your one-stop venue in the heart of Surfers Paradise for drinks, eats and catching a live DJ set or two. And not just any disc jockeys either; The Stafford Brothers and Peking Duk have both played to jubilant crowds here in recent times. Currently, the wheels of steel are spinning Thursday and Friday evenings and all through the weekend: perfect long weekend territory.
Where: 30/34 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise

HOTA Outdoor Stage (image supplied by Destination Gold Coast)
HOTA Outdoor Stage (image supplied by Destination Gold Coast)

HOTA
The Home of the Arts is certainly doing the heavy lifting to finally elevate the arts and culture scene here in our section of Queensland. From intimate, indoor performances to the homegrown darlings and headline acts routinely taking one of Australia’s best outdoor stages – the variety of shows are as varied and vibrant as its technicolour exterior. For an impeccable way to kick off the weekend, it’s hard to go past Fridays on the Lawn. Grab a blanket, acquire a drink from their lawn bar, and relax in their sophisticated sun-kissed setting whilst being serenaded by some stellar local talent to celebrate the end of the working week.
Where: HOTA, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise

Den Devine
Open Tuesday to Sunday for your listening pleasure, Den Devine feature jazz and blues artists from a talent pool right here in our city. This intimate, hidden venue is well-known amongst live music fans, so we definitely recommend booking in advance to nab a seat. Grab a some eats and sips from their serious selection of whisky (the perfect accompaniment to some moody blues) and the equally stacked Mediterranean menu, and vibe to a selection of the best performers on the Gold Coast six nights a week.
Where: 15 Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach

Garden Kitchen & Bar at The Star Gold Coast
When it comes to star-studded acts and internationally recognised music performances, The Star Gold Coast is the place to grab a seat in a full-blown theatre and experience music as it was intended.

To keep you bopping in-between headline acts, there’s also live and free tunes going down on the reg, in the open air ambience of Garden Kitchen & Bar’s Live on the Lawn series. Every weekend, the beats come courtesy of DJ’s, soloists, and if you time it just right, the likes of world-class powerhouse vocalist, Lisa Hunt on select Fridays. Goosebumps incoming.
Where: 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach

Lisa Hunt, Live on the Lawn, The Star Gold Coast (image supplied)
Lisa Hunt, Live on the Lawn, The Star Gold Coast (image supplied)

Nightcap
Having duly stamped its authority on the Nobby Beach bar scene as the place to go for frolic fuelled nights, these guys will have you rocking out until the wee hours with a live band or DJ every night of the week. The venue also offers new bands the chance to get themselves out there, so keep an eye out for fresh talent!
Where: 2245 Gold Coast Highway, Nobbys Beach

Miami Marketta
Build it, and they will come… though it’s not clear in this analogy if the ‘they’ should be the steady stream of stellar, live music acts, the hungry hordes, or adoring music fans. Either way, this iconic laneway has established itself as a cracking spot for many things, including one of the best places to catch a gig on the GC.

From 5pm every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights, Miami comes alive with foods from all around the world mixed with local blues, jazz and independent artists. A hotspot doing some solid heavy lifting to attract incredible national and international acts as they tour the country – Be sure to keep an eye on their gig calendar; tickets always sell out fast!
Where: 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami

Miami Marketta (image supplied)
Miami Marketta (image supplied)

Nightjar
Burleigh’s original back alley after-hours haunt is always an epic time. Nightjar is known for late-night revelry and an often stellar line-up of weekly live music. With drink specials aplenty, come and enjoy local acts as they take to the floor and keep the swinging yet sultry atmosphere going long into the night.
Where: Justin Lane, Burleigh Heads 

Mo’s Desert Clubhouse
Burleigh’s multi-use music, space hire and events hub, Mo’s Desert Clubhouse is a melting pot of goings-on and a principal meeting place for muso’s, movers and shakers and music lovers across the GC. The industrial-style venue is outfitted with a fully stocked bar and equally stacked gig guide, so refer back often and make sure you pencil in a date with Mo’s Desert Clubhouse ASAP.
Where: 6/36 Central Drive, Burleigh Heads

Mo's Desert Clubhouse, Burleigh (image supplied)
Mo's Desert Clubhouse, Burleigh (image supplied)

Burleigh Town Hotel
A fresh af new look is not the only thing Burleigh Town Hotel is boasting these days, also ‘drumming up’ a very solid live entertainment schedule studded with emerging bands and popular Aussie acts to get your ears around. There’s DJ’s and acoustic artists bringing tunes to the beer garden most weekends, along with with Punk, Motown and Pop themed tribute shows – where you can hit the d-floor to the likes of Ed Sheeran, Robbie Williams and queen Kylie (gold hot pants optional).
Where: Tsipura Drive, Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Town Hotel (image provided)
Burleigh Town Hotel (image provided)

Soundlounge
This gem is a favourite among live music fans, having hosted a slew of local, national and international icons — but it also remains one of our best-kept secrets. Find your way down to Currumbin RSL, where, hidden just above, Soundlounge hosts acts from folk soloists and DJs to rock and roll bands. Listening to fantastic live music can be a hungry business, but this venue has you covered with food options, including pizza, an a la carte restaurant and bar snacks.
Where: 165 Duringan Street, Currumbin

The Coolangatta Hotel
Whether you’ve been catching world-class waves or lounging in the afternoon sun, Coolangatta — and specifically the Coolangatta Hotel — has long been known as one of the best for rounding out a perfect afternoon with live music. Being one of the Gold Coast’s largest live music venues, this OG frequently features both national and international touring bands and DJs on any given weekend. In between catching your fave big names, rock out to live, local tunes every Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun.
Where: Cnr Warner Street and Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Words by Kellie Leader.

Creekfest at Soundlounge (image supplied)
Creekfest at Soundlounge (image supplied)
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