Get Your Country On at Venue 114
Sunshine Coast Country music lovers are in for a heel and toe tappin’ good time at Venue 114’s Coastal Country Music Fest. Deb Caruso plucks at the strings of who’s on show.
Chase away the winter blues with a warm dose of country vibes with five incredible Australian singer-songwriters in a Saturday sunset session that is shaping up to be nothing short of sensational!
Featuring a line-up of legendary ARIA chart topping artists and Country Music Awards of Australia (CMAA) nominees including this year’s Male Artist of the Year, the Coastal Country Music Fest will provide barrel loads of boot scootin’ fun for local country music enthusiasts.
Melanie Dyer, Andrew Swift, Caitlyn Shadbolt, Pete Cullen and Liam Brew will bring the house down in Venue 114’s all-weather, air conditioned space for up to 1400 fans.
Venue 114 Manager Louise Thompson said they were proud to curate the unique event for the Sunshine Coast with soaring ceilings providing pitch-perfect acoustics for a truly immersive experience.
“Our courtyard will offer the perfect al fresco escape between sets with fresh air, lakeside views, a fully-serviced bar and food trucks to meet a range of tastes,” she said.
With more than 18 years’ as a multi-faceted events and exhibition space and a professional and passionate team with decades of experience, Louise said the venue also offered full accessibility, free parking and a dedicated drop off zone for a memorable, safe and fun time.
“We are so thrilled to provide a space to host talented touring artists and homegrown talent,” she said. “With the support of the local community we hope to be able to make the Coastal Country Music Fest an annual event.”
With five powerhouse sets, it will be an unmissable event!
Here’s who’s playing:
Melanie Dyer – fresh from the Big Red Bash, Melanie will bring her signature style of country roots with pop influences like Katy Perry, Shania Twain and Taylor Swift. Her latest album Between You & Me includes hit singles like Run Out of Road, Cheap Moscato, Cheating on Me and Dumb Decisions. Sounds like music we can all relate to! The album earned Melanie two CMAA Golden Guitar Award nominations for Female Artist of the Year and Collaboration of the Year in January 2023.
Andrew Swift has released three #1 ARIA albums and earned three CMAA Golden Guitar Awards, including Artist of the Year in 2023. With his music described as a “gateway drug to Country music,” this former pop-punk guitarist has firmly established his roots with retro soundscapes and contemporary rhythms and is a master performer. From nostalgic tales with hits like Young Lovers, reminiscing on The Good Old Days or sharing Country music’s wilder side with Cheap Liquor and Smoke ‘em If You Got ‘em, his songs brood on gut-wrenching heartache and revel in limitless joy.
Gympie girl Caitlyn Shadbolt has been lauded as ‘one to watch’ since placing fifth on the sixth season of The X Factor Australia. Her 2017 debut album Songs on My Sleeve hit #1 on the ARIA Country Album chart and saw her win the CMC Award for Best New Artist, along with a nomination for Female Artist of the Year. Dubbed “the darling of Country Music”, expect to also hear hits from Caitlyn’s sophomore album Stages and recently released album Bloom & Surrender.
Pete Cullen blazes his soulful outlaw country trail with hard rockin’ shows full of sweat and swagger. The former Noosa resident has released five albums, performed at various festivals and is a regular on national radio and television. He and his songs are raw and real, a testament to his wild heart and honest soul. His groovin’ southern gospel track Peace Love premiered on Double J and featured on Triple J Roots N All; his 2022 single, Heavy Damage is described as a “high energy Outlaw Country Rock N Roll BANGER” and his latest single Heart of Steel is dedicated to the truckers that keep Australia moving and the family and loved ones they leave behind.
Liam Brew first got his hands on a guitar at age of five when his family moved to the Sunshine Coast. Fifteen years later, he was named the 30th Toyota Star Maker, joining previous winners Lee Kernaghan, James Blundell & Keith Urban. His debut album, Wild Heart earned him a placement in the 2010 CMAA for New Talent Of The Year with subsequent singles all enjoying chart success and scoring three nominations in the CMC Music Awards. The proudly-mulletted singer/songwriter and Golden Guitar Finalist has performed at some of Australia’s biggest festivals including Tamworth Country Music Festival, Optus National Music Muster and Urban Country Music Festival.
Sunshine Coast Councillor David Law said the Coastal Country Music Fest would be a wonderful addition to the range of events at Venue 114.
“Music has a way of bringing people together and locals love live music. This exciting new event will be sure to have everyone kickin’ up their heels,” he said.
UPCOMING EVENTS
COASTAL COUNTRY MUSIC FEST
When: Saturday 22 July, 3pm -11pm
Location: Venue 114, 114 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina
Cost: $65 plus booking fee.
18+ event, licensed, and standing event.
DON’T MISS!
28 June: The Magical World of Crazy Science
30 June: Play School Live in Concert: Humpty’s Showtime 2023
9 July: Conscious Life Wellness Day
11-12 August: Australian Wearable Art Festival
31 August-1September: Magic Men
26 October: DMA’s – How Many Dreams? Australian Tour
Booking information and tickets: www.venue114.com.au
