Fans of the cars, music and lifestyle of yesteryear are counting down to the annual must-do on the calendar with less than a month to go until crowds make the pilgrimage to the Gold Coast for Australia’s largest nostalgia festival, Cooly Rocks On.
Festival organisers have unveiled the 2024 program and are expecting over 160,000 people to roll into the iconic beachside precinct of Coolangatta from 5-9 June.
Attendees can immerse themselves in a packed program of free live music on outdoor stages and indoor venues throughout the precinct, in addition to ticketed shows, while being transported back in time to the sounds of the 50s, 60s and 70s over five massive days.
Gracing the festival stages this year are highly acclaimed international Elvis Tribute Artists Dwight Icenhower (USA) and Louis Brown (UK), along with a number of home-grown acts representing some of the best rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly, swing and tribute artists the country has to offer.
Names like the internationally recognised rockabilly star Pat Capocci, Teddy Boy band The Lincolns and festival newcomers Perth’s Bang Bang Betty & The H-Bombs can’t wait to transport audiences back to a time when life was simpler.
The Perth group is bringing its cocktail of hot swing, jump blues and wild rock ‘n’ roll to Cooly Rocks On for the first time with festival goers having the chance to kick up their heels.
“We are primed, ticking and ready to explode at this year’s Cooly Rocks On festival - we can’t wait to join the rockin’ party!” said Betty from Bang Bang Betty & the H-Bombs.
Taking Care of Business in the Elvis Precinct is USA’s Dwight Icenhower, widely considered one of the best Elvis Tribute Artists in the world.
He boasts 75 ‘First Place’ awards in contests across the globe and became the only Elvis Tribute Artist in history to win four world championship titles consecutively during Elvis Week in Memphis, USA.
This will be the first time Cooly Rocks On fans can see Dwight on the Coolangatta stage with performances spanning Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
He’ll be joined by the incredibly talented Louis Brown (UK).
Just announced to join this year’s Elvis Precinct program is 2012 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist winner Damian Mullin. Fresh from performing in the UK, this highly acclaimed artist from Victoria is known for his exceptional style and voice which remarkably captures the essence of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
True Elvis fans can’t afford to miss all three rounds of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, one of only two contests in Australia sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises with the winner set to compete in Memphis later this year.
Tickets are still available for all three rounds of the contest which are sure to be snapped up quickly.
15-year-old industry rising star Charlie Gaylard is ready to wow audiences with his uncanny resemblance to the King. Joining him is crowd favourite Jack Gatto who doesn’t want the next generation to miss out on the music or legend that is Elvis Presley.
VIP Legends Passes are almost sold out, with pass holders to be treated like The King, receiving everything from premium seating inside the Elvis Marquee to meet and greets with international headliners, goodie bags, exclusive events and more through five rockin’ days of jam-packed entertainment worth over $1000 in value for just $499.
Tickets are also available for hotly anticipated feature shows including The Beatnix, regarded as one of the best Beatles tribute shows in Australia and the dynamic Australian tribute band Creedence Clearwater Survival who are preparing to put on a powerhouse performance with hits including Green River, Bad Moon Rising and Fortunate Son.
Other notable artists this year include Jake & The Cadillacs, Ella Fontaine & the Sugarshakers and more!
Take some time between dancing to meander through the festival’s Nostalgia Markets, wander through Kustomville or check out one of the country’s biggest collections of classic cars, customs, hot rods and more in the renowned Cooly Rocks On Show ‘N’ Shine.
The Saturday Night Car Cruise made an epic comeback last year and is sure to be a huge success again on Saturday 8 June.
“Bringing back the popular Saturday Night Car Cruise in 2023 was a real highlight for the festival and another opportunity for our entrants to show off their pride and joy,” said Festival Director Mark Duckworth.
“There’s nothing quite like the spectacle of 250 classics, hot rods, muscle cars and more cruising through the streets of this iconic beachside destination and we’re expecting the crowds to line the streets again this year to watch the cruise, and of course marvel at the 900-plus cars on display in the Show ‘N’ Shine.”
The Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant is always a popular attraction with entrants from as far afield as the USA. Festival goers have the opportunity to meet and greet the contestants at the pageant Sashing Ceremony on Wednesday 5 June or find the finalists wandering around the precinct enjoying the festival.
‘Park N Ride’ will once again be offered to save the hassle of finding a park. On Saturday and Sunday buses will be running every half hour from 8.30am between 4 Boyd St, Tugun (Betty Diamond Park) and 15 Marine Parade. It is then a short 600m walk around the Kirra headland to the festival precinct. Just a $5 contribution (per person) to the State Emergency Service to Park N Ride (includes return bus trip).
Download the official Cooly Rocks On Festival App to plan your five-day festival experience so you don’t miss a minute of this unique award-winning festival.
Cooly Rocks On is produced by Experience Gold Coast and supported by the Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland.
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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.