Caloundra Music Festival: second line-up announced

Legendary Aussie band Noiseworks and singer/songwriter Kev Carmody have been added to the outstanding line-up of headline acts at this year’s Caloundra Music Festival at Kings Beach from 23-25 October. 

Festival director Richie Eyles today announced the latest additions to this year’s line-up – adding that more acts, including a chart-topping Aussie band, are to be announced in September.

He described this year’s festival bill as the best yet.

“Noiseworks are one of the most-loved Aussie bands and Kev Carmody is huge on the international festival circuit and Australians should be proud of his achievements,” he said.

“We are delighted to add them to a top line-up that already includes The Hoodoo Gurus, Josh Pyke and Toni Childs.”

Originally an 80s pub band, Noiseworks went on to produce a string of hits. Their third album "Love Verses Money” debuted at number one on the album charts and the single "Hot Chilli Woman" became the band's biggest hit. Other hits include “Touch” “No Lies”, “Take Me Back”, and “Freedom”.

Joining them on the bill is Kev Carmody, one of the most respected singer/songwriters in the country, whose long list of fans include John Butler, Missy Higgins and Paul Kelly.

Since the release of his first album, Pillars Of Society, described in Australian Rolling Stone as "the best album ever released by an Aboriginal musician and arguably the best protest album ever made in Australia", Carmody has produced a large body of work ranging from soul/folk to reggae/rock.

Adding to the reggae vibe at this year’s festival will be Australian roots and reggae band Blue King Brown. Described by Carlos Santana as “my favourite band right now”, Blue King Brown combine funky dance beats with socially-active lyrics to produce high-energy shows that never fail to get audiences up and moving. When supporting Michael Franti (Spearhead) on a recent tour, Franti noted that they “raise the roof off every show they play”.

Other great performers and bands recently signed to the Caloundra Music Festival include:

• Bertie Blackman
• Watussi
• The Gin Club
• Jill Barber
• Andrew Morris
• Bonjah
• Little Stevies

Today’s announcement is expected to see a surge in ticket sales for this year’s festival, which is outselling the previous two festivals by about 40 per cent, Mr Eyles said.

“We put that down to this year’s excellent line-up and the fact that the festival now has a solid reputation among festival-goers and the musicians themselves,” he said.

They will join other acts already announced including:

• Josh Pyke
• James Reyne
• Bob Evans
• Chase The Sun
• The Wilson Pickers
• OKA
• Paul Green Australian iconic band the Hoodoo Gurus signed a new recording contract with Sony Music

Mr Eyles said August was the last chance for festival-goers to get discounted earlybird tickets of $95 for a weekend pass. As of 1 September, ticket prices will rise to $105 up until, and throughout, the weekend of the festival.

The festival is supported by the Sunshine Coast Council to bring a quality, family-friendly event to the Sunshine Coast. A Community Village, supported by Stockland, will operate alongside the festival as a non-ticketed event on the Kings Beach foreshore to showcase local talent and offer workshops run by community groups.

For more information, or to buy tickets, visit the festival website www.caloundramusicfestival.com