Organisers behind beloved annual festival Blues On Broadbeach will bring the community together this weekend for a special online event.
After it was announced in March that this year’s event would not go ahead due to the COVID outbreak, the festival began work on Bandwidth, a huge live-streamed festival set to take place via Facebook Live this Friday from 7pm.
Having locked in the likes of Tommy Emmanuel, The Black Sorrows, The Soul Movers, The Lachy Doley Group and more last month, organisers today revealed that US blues legends Robert Cray and Don Bryant would also be making an appearance.
Another talent on the bill, Canadian-born, New Zealand-based singer-songwriter Tami Neilson told The Music that “it’s not only wonderful for the audience to get this injection of joy and community, but for the artists, it’s wonderful for us to be able to connect with an audience”.
“Being part of an online festival just reminds you that you’re not alone,” Neilson enthused.
“There’s just such a sense of community and I think that that is just so hugely important for our mental health at this time.”
Neilson’s latest record, CHICKABOOM!, which she’ll be showcasing during Bandwidth alongside other favourites, was released in February, shortly before the COVID pandemic hit.
“It was crazy – it really was,” she said. “The album dropped and the reviews were incredible and all these opportunities were flooding in and I kind of felt like I was on the cusp of this wave and then… boom… the bottom just dropped out, like it did for everyone.”
Her latest release saw her return to her roots, enlisting her family for recording and touring, the latter of which has been put on hold. While her brother can’t make the trip for Blues On Broadbeach, he’ll be making an appearance from Canada alongside Neilson for Bandwidth.
“It’s going to be really special to perform in Australia from Canada and New Zealand,” she laughed.
After performing at last year’s “amazing” event, Neilson jumped at the opportunity to be involved with Bandwidth.
“It was incredible – the audience was amazing and the Gold Coast, I mean, come on, twist my arm. It was such an amazing experience and I was so looking forward to getting back.
“But this is a really lovely way to connect with my Australian fans and fans around the world who want to tune in… it’s going to be really special.”
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Tommy Emmanuel
The Black Sorrows
The Soul Movers
The Lachy Doley Group
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