Australia’s largest blues music festival, Blues on Broadbeach is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a rolling tribute to the festival alongside the festival’s full 2026 program.
The festival today unveiled its Blues Bus which will join the fleet of the Gold Coast’s public transport network, travelling across the city in the four-week lead up to Blues on Broadbeach celebrating the 25-year milestone.
Festival favourites Ash Grunwald and Cass Eager, alongside a lineup of local artists, were among the first to hop aboard, taking a trip down memory lane, sharing some of their most memorable moments, and entertaining some of the festival’s loyal music fans along the way.
More than 76 international and homegrown artists will take over 18 stages and venues for Blues on Broadbeach 2026, lighting up the Gold Coast from May 14–17 with four days of unmissable blues, soul and rhythm.
Australian music legend Ian Moss, whose career spans his time with Cold Chisel and a celebrated solo journey, returns to headline Friday night. Moss performed at the very first Blues on Broadbeach and remains a defining figure in the festival’s history.
Joining him is fellow original performer and fan favourite Mason Rack, alongside The Lachy Doley Trio who celebrates more than a decade of performances at the festival. Fresh from touring with Joe Bonamassa’s band, Doley credits Blues on Broadbeach as a pivotal platform in his career.
Saturday brings a powerhouse lineup, including Frank Sultana, Nathan Beretta and Dan Sullivan performing as Brothers, alongside New York rhythm and blues act Daddy Long Legs, Australian rock blues icons the Kevin Borich Express, acclaimed storyteller Grace Cummings, and Memphis experimental musician MonoNeon.
The festival continues its tradition of spotlighting new chapters, with Jamie Allensworth performing on Saturday and Tom Busby stepping into the solo spotlight on Sunday at The Star Gold Coast, performing tracks from his debut album Rockhampton Hangover.
Making their long-awaited debut on Sunday 17 May for a special ticketed performance are The Teskey Brothers, joined by Australia’s dynamic string-bender Ash Grunwald.
Minister for Tourism and the Environment, Andrew Powell MP, said Blues on Broadbeach was set to strike a chord on the Gold Coast, with the 25th anniversary to deliver a mix of world class music and a major boost to tourism on the Gold Coast.
“For 25 years, Blues on Broadbeach has given locals and visitors a front-row seat to world-class music and helped cement the Gold Coast as one of Australia’s great festival destinations,” Minister Powell said.
“Events like this fill our hotels, bring people into local cafes and restaurants and give small businesses across the Coast a real boost.
“That’s why the Crisafulli Government is backing events like this as part of Destination 2045, building Queensland’s reputation as the events capital of the country.”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said, “What a time to celebrate the best blues festival in the southern hemisphere,’’
“A quarter of a century of making people smile, getting people up and dancing and showcasing the best blues talent on offer.
“I’ll be dusting off the blue suede shoes for this year’s festival and I’ve made a promise to Ruth … I’ll be home before sunrise.’’
Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said, “It’s a proud moment as Blues on Broadbeach marks 25 years and reflects on its evolution into one of Australia’s most loved live music experiences.
“What sets it apart is its commitment to showcasing not just big names, but artists who are truly authentic to the genre and represent the very best of Blues music.”
ABOUT BLUES ON BROADBEACH
For a quarter of a century Blues on Broadbeach has turned the Gold Coast into a rhythm and blues mecca and it’s been quite the evolution. Starting out in 2002 as a two-stage festival with 5000 attendees, Blues on Broadbeach has since featured 600 artists over 25 years, and the 2026 edition is set to be bigger and better with more venues across the beachside precinct, continuing its legacy as one of Australia’s largest music festivals.
An annual pilgrimage for music lovers from all over the world, Blues on Broadbeach invites 2026 festivalgoers to celebrate their love of authentic blues and make new memories on the Gold Coast over an unforgettable four-day festival experience.
Blues on Broadbeach is produced by Experience Gold Coast and supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland.
BLUES ON BROADBEACH 2026
14–17 May | Broadbeach, Gold Coast
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.