Entertainment
23 May, 2023
Entries open to Airlie music fest
Far North musos invited to enter regional comp
APPLICATIONS are now open for original acts to enter what has now become Australia’s largest live, original music initiative – Passport to Airlie 2023.
Regional competitions will be hosted in Cairns, as well as Melbourne, Newcastle, Byron Bay, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Mackay and Darwin.
Passport to Airlie co-ordinator Cherrie Hughes said each regional winner played in the main tent at Airlie Beach on Thursday, November 9 to open Airlie Beach Festival of Music 2023.
“They’ll be hoping for not just an overall win but also the prize of a headline spot at next year’s Airlie Beach Festival of Music,” she said.
“The chance to be on a bill with international stars was once-in-a-lifetime ... fresh new acts and established artists can all enter to have this chance plus the opportunity to build experience and networks as well as their opportunity for a spot on the Airlie Beach Festival of Music line-up.”
Brick Lane Brewing is back again for the second year as the official Passport to Airlie sponsor in 2023, a relationship that has assisted greatly in the growth of Passport. Brick Lane and festival ambassador Sarah McLeod also returns as head judge and mentor before she rocks the stage with The Superjesus Saturday night.
“Passport is going off, what a great opportunity for bands to be discovered on a legit platform in front of real fans who will follow their journey. Australian Idol this ‘aint,” she said.
Passport to Airlie’s 2022 winner Perry Street Park have gone on an absolute tear since winning last year’s competition, now winning the Bluesfest Byron Bay Busking Competition which saw them playing the Juke Joint stage for Bluesfest 2023.
Frontman Benny Nelson says of his Passport experience: “I’ve personally been a part of P2A twice.
“Once as a solo project in 2019 and in 2022 with Perry Street Park,” he said.
“Passport to Airlie gives up and coming bands from all around Australia the opportunity to perform at a renowned festival on the big stage in front of industry and music lovers.”
The Airlie Beach Festival of Music returns for an 11th year. The festival delivers a stellar line up of acts each year and has featured some of the biggest names nationally and internationally on the seaside stage.
Back at the Whitsunday Sailing Club in 2023, the festival will be under the big tent from November 9-12.
Tickets are on sale now, starting at $300 for a three-day pass.
It is widely acknowledged the festival has transformed what was once Airlie Beach’s quietest weekend into the busiest, with the calendar re-set for each November on the weekend after the Melbourne Cup.
The first announcement for 2023 sees the festival bringing Ian Moss, Frenzal Rhomb, The Superjesus and Pierce Brothers to the Whitsundays.
Applications for Passport to Airlie 2023 are open now via: https://www.airliebeachfestivalofmusic.com.au/how-to-enter/
Tickets available from: https: //www.airliebeachfestivalofmusic.com.au/event/airlie-beach-festival-of-music-2023/