Broadbeach marks 25 years of Blues and live music
Tens of thousands of fans joined the 25th Blues on Broadbeach, with 76 artists and a major festival finale.
What’s Happening?
Blues on Broadbeach has wrapped after four huge days of live music across Broadbeach.
Tens of thousands of fans filled streets, parks, bars and stages for the festival’s milestone edition.
Australian favourites The Teskey Brothers closed the festival with a sold-out performance.
Their set capped a program that mixed blues legends with contemporary artists.
International acts also added to the weekend’s strong energy.
New York blues-punk trio Daddy Long Legs brought a high-energy, nostalgia-inspired blues sound to Broadbeach.
The Bamboos and WILSN also helped show the festival’s wider mix of soul, funk and modern blues.
Why It Matters?
The festival showed how strongly Blues on Broadbeach still connects with fans after a quarter century.
It also helped introduce blues music to new and younger audiences.
Experience Gold Coast Chief Executive Officer John Warn said the weekend showed the festival’s lasting appeal.
“It was an enormous weekend for Blues on Broadbeach, with tens of thousands of fans filling the streets, venues and stages across Broadbeach and creating an incredible atmosphere from day to night,” Mr Warn said.
“To close out the festival with a sold-out The Teskey Brothers performance was such a special moment and a fitting way to celebrate the festival’s 25-year milestone alongside the artists, fans and local community who have helped make it what it is today.”
By the Numbers
The 2026 festival marked 25 years of Blues on Broadbeach, showing its long place in the Gold Coast music calendar.
The program featured 76 international and Australian artists across blues, soul, roots, funk and rhythm and blues.
Blues on Broadbeach 2026 ran from 14 to 17 May across Broadbeach on the Gold Coast.
Local Impact
Broadbeach became a major live music hub across the four-day festival.
The event brought crowds into local streets, venues, parks and hospitality spaces.
Local businesses were also part of the wider festival community that has supported the event for years.
Experience Gold Coast Festival Director Mark Duckworth said that support remained central to the event.
“It’s a real testament to the community that has been coming here for 25 years and continuing to bring new people and new audiences into the festival,” Mr Duckworth said.
“The community comes together every year and has helped the festival stand strong for a quarter of a century.
“We’ve continued to grow in a really natural way while staying true to the spirit of Blues on Broadbeach.”
Zoom In
This year’s program honoured the roots of blues music while adding newer sounds and artists.
Daddy Long Legs were among the standout acts, drawing strong crowds across the weekend.
Frontman Brian Hurd said playing in Australia and at Blues on Broadbeach was a major career moment.
“Australia has always been a bucket list destination for us and Blues on Broadbeach is a festival we’ve wanted to play for a long time,” Brian Hurd said.
The festival’s mix helped show how blues can sit beside soul, funk and rhythm and blues.
Zoom Out
Blues on Broadbeach has built a national reputation as one of Australia’s most loved music festivals.
Its strength comes from balancing tradition with change.
The festival still honours classic blues while making space for newer artists and younger listeners.
The 2026 festival was delivered with thanks to its Sponsor Family: Gold Coast Airport, Memphis Tourism, The Langham Gold Coast, EVENTelec, TFH, Triple M and Rolling Stone.
It is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland.
What To Look For Next?
The strong 2026 turnout gives Blues on Broadbeach a clear base for future growth.
After 25 years, the festival is likely to keep building its mix of blues, soul, roots, funk and rhythm and blues for new audiences.