Amazing live sets from BENEE, Matt Corby, Bag Raiders and more, a beachside skate park, murals and art installations, coupled with three days of perfect weather helped prove why SPRINGTIME is becoming one of the country’s favourite beachside festivals.
Not a single patch of sand was left empty on Surfers Paradise beach this weekend, as thousands danced and sang along to some of Australia’s best homegrown and international music acts in perfect spring weather at the Gold Coast’s SPRINGTIME festival.
Proving why spring will never be the same again, the three-day festival saw a sea of people spend the long weekend swimming in crystal blue water, sunbathing and immersing themselves in all the good times and good fun on offer at SPRINGTIME. The epic lineup across the Beach Stage and the Dr. Martens Street Stage featured more than 30 of the country’s best homegrown artists.
After tens of thousands attended SPRINGTIME last year, the addition of international superstar BENEE in 2023 plus a brand new commissioned art installation, the Vans Skate Plaza, and a DJ Skool at the Paradise Centre saw an even bigger wave of music fans flock to the festival this year.
As Australian dance royalty Bag Raiders took the stage on Friday night, it was clear that the crowds had returned - this time with friends - turning Surfers Paradise into a real vibe for music tourists from around Australia. Saturday night crowds, which spread as far as the eye could see, welcomed international popstar BENEE with open arms, while on Sunday Australia’s very own Matt Corby served as the perfect conclusion to this spring party to remember, with his unique blend of blissed out indie surf-pop.
“This being a free concert is just next level, I love that, we need to be doing this more often,” said NZ artist BENEE. I love Australia, it’s close to home and this feels like a little holiday.”
Partnering again with the Gold Coast Music Awards (GCMAs) SPRINGTIME continued to live up to its promise of supporting and highlighting local talent. This year’s festival kicked off with an after party celebrating the music community and emerging Gold Coast artists.
GCMAs People’s Choice winner Lyric then took centre stage as she opened SPRINGTIME’s Beach Stage on Friday. What followed was a smorgasbord of incredible Aussie talent across the long weekend with uplifting acts from the likes of Sunshine & Disco Faith Choir, Sycco, Girl and Girl and the Gold Coast’s bella amor.
“I’m just so stoked that this festival is here, and I am so grateful to play here,” said Gold Coast artist bella amor. “It is really cool for people to have an opportunity to hear what talent we have around here. It is great for the Goldie people too, because they can come and have a good time.”
Complementing the live music element of the program, live art mural painting added a kaleidoscope of colour to the city’s streets thanks to the candy-coloured aesthetic of renowned Korean-Australian artist YEAHYEAHCHLOE and Yuggera - Minjungbal - Nyangbul - Ugarapul land duo Malara Rise, who’s alluring mural framing the ocean paid homage to their ancestory.
Punters of all ages looking to engage with art and test their skills weren’t left out, as the creative minds at Shock Therapy Arts definitely brought it, with their commissioned installation Quest of Chaos causing, you guessed it, chaos. All weekend, participants climbed, scrambled and tumbled through the giant obstacle course on Surfers Paradise beach as they attempted to defeat King Chaos and his gang of interdimensional troublemakers. A totally unique interactive experience only found at SPRINGTIME.
“This has been a great festival, we’ve had perfect weather and it’s been a pleasure to watch the beach filling up with fans coming to see their favourite artists,” said Festival Director Mark Duckworth. “Second year in, we’re really seeing this festival grow and we’re excited about what SPRINGTIME is going to do for the city into the future.”
The Vans Skate Plaza was a festival highlight with some of Australia’s top skateboarders showing off their world-class runs and tricks to crowds of fans lining the street. Local skaters were invited to drop in alongside the Vans Skate Team.
With Surfers Paradise buzzing with crowds, local businesses, restaurants and bars enjoyed bumper trade proving the importance of major events for the Gold Coast community.
“It has been super busy which is great,” said Nim Pavia from Gelato Messina in Surfers Paradise. “We are located at the Paradise Centre, and it (the stage) is like seven steps to us so we can hear the music and people come in and out and enjoy the beach, enjoy the music and they come and get a gelato.”
Produced by Major Events Gold Coast, SPRINGTIME wraps after another successful year with thanks to our Sponsor Family – City of Gold Coast, Dr. Martens, triple j, Gold Coast Airport, Paradise Centre, Vans, Clean Vibes, EVENTelec, Radio Metro and the Yugambeh Region Aboriginal Corporation Alliance.
Good times are guaranteed again in 2024 with the return of SPRINGTIME confirmed for 6 – 8 September, 2024!
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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.