After the year we've all endured, everyone is well and truly overdue for some good old-fashioned R&R - and South East Queenslanders are in for an absolute feast of sun, sand and incredible local tunes with the announcement of Queensland's newest (COVID-safe), family friendly and bespoke island experience Coochiemudlo Island Festival set to take place on Saturday May 8.
Presented by The Ministry For Fun ( a not-for-profit collaboration by Coochiemudlo Island businesses) and Brisbane record label 4000 Records, Coochiemudlo Island Festival is a grassroots endeavour that aims to bring communities together. And set to take place in the enchanting Mudlo Gardens on the picturesque shores of Coochiemudlo Island (just a short ferry ride from Brisbane city), you'll forget every care in the world as you soak in a sweltering all-Queensland lineup on this beautiful island paradise.
Leading proceedings is one of the Gold Coast's favourite sons Bobby Alu, alongside co-headliners Chocolate Strings, blues lord Karl S. Williams, as well as fellow locals Adele & The Chandeliers, Ruby Gilbert, The Holy Rollercoasters, Red Belly Black and surfgaze quartet The Double Happiness (whose song Coochiemudlo actually inspired the very creation of this festival).
“As the world continues to battle COVID-19, we here on the island wanted to do our part to bring some joy to the local community. Some like-minded individuals and businesses formed The Ministry For Fun, and soon after we happened upon The Double Happiness’ Coochiemudlo song. From there the idea to host a festival on the island was born...Coochiemudlo Island Festival is a celebration of life and every aspect of the festival – from the line-up to the activities – was curated with happiness in mind.” - Paul Rockach, Ministry For Fun spokesperson and festival organiser.
“I love that this festival is a chance to bring happiness to everyone who comes to the island and for the community to share a small piece of their paradise home...We’ve booked a broad live music line-up which I can’t wait to enjoy in the gorgeous surrounds of Mudlo Gardens. This will also be the first festival I can bring my infant daughter along to, so it will be super fun to have a boogie, go for a swim and relax with the whole family.” - John Russell, 4000 Records
Aside from the sun-soaked tunes and locale, Coochiemudlo Festival will also play host to artisanal market stalls and entertainment including face painting, a treasure hunt, artist demonstrations and more. There's quite literally something for all ages and interest in store, with free entry on offer for kids under the age of 14.
And just in case you're feeling left out if you aren't in and around Queensland come Saturday May 8, a livestream of the event courtesy of Stageit will be available worldwide.
An idyllic family-friendly day out complete with sun, sand and sound, tickets to the inaugural Coochiemudlo Island Festival on Saturday, 8 May 2021, are onsale now. $59 adult tickets (and free entry bookings for children under 14 years) are available at coochiemudlo.org/festival
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BY TIANA SPETER