GROUNDWATER 2021
- Written by SueMacMedia
GROUNDWATER 2021: WHERE COUNTRY MEETS THE COAST
ANNOUNCING 1st LINE-UP
They say Broadbeach is where sand meets sophistication. More specifically, it will be where Country meets the coast when Groundwater returns in November. With a collection of creative and charismatic Country artists convening for this incredible festival, daisy duke devotees and beach dudes alike can finally come together for three days of raw, authentic, and rockin’ memories-to-be.
With this unique destination for Country music, Groundwater festival goers can escape to a tropical holiday in their own backyard from Nov 12-14, 2021. They can soak up the Gold Coast sun, enjoy the iconic coastline views, and take a dip in the ocean to cool off from all the excitement elicited by Country stars including headline acts The Wolfe Brothers, Adam Harvey, and Sara Storer.
“I’m so excited to be planning the November festival and bringing an array of talented Country artists back to the Gold Coast for our Groundwater CMF fans,” Festival Director Mark Duckworth said. “There is just something so special about having a country music festival beachside on the Gold Coast and at Major Events Gold Coast we can’t wait to bring country back into the streets and parks of Broadbeach again in 2021.”
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The Wolfe Brothers
Adam Harvey
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Sara Storer |
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Headlining the exceptional line-up are The Wolfe Brothers. The duo has steadily etched their name into Australian Country music stardom, establishing themselves amongst the upper echelon of musicians in the nation, regardless of genre. Music is in their blood, with the revered duo the latest in a legacy of farmers and musicians spanning generations. Returning to Groundwater for the fourth time, and with their latest single “No Brakes” ready to go, their jaw-dropping fusion of Country and Rock is not to be missed this November! Adam Harvey, a gold and platinum artist with over half a million albums sold, the winner of a remarkable eight Golden Guitar awards and of the Global Artist Award in Nashville, as well as the recipient of a Centenary Medal in recognition of his charity work, Adam is raring to return to Groundwater with his new stories and “Songs From Highway One.” And then there’s the heartful, soulful and authentic Sara Storer. A 21-time Golden Guitar winner, her new album “Raindance” chronicles the weathered ground beneath our feet and the joy and tribulations of love and devotion. Groundwater is thrilled to welcome her talents back to Groundwater for the second time this November. |
But perhaps the most exciting artist to be joining the exceptional line-up is the unlikely duo in life and love, Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham. Both successful artists in their own right, Felicity as a solo artist, and Josh with the lovable outfit The Waifs, the duo met at a creative collective called the Song Club. What started as a union in music grew from there, and the unexpected couple are set to showcase their unforgettable talents at Groundwater 2021.
“Groundwater audiences are special to me,” Felicity explained. “Over the years they’ve supported me through triumph and tragedy. Last time I was there in 2019 the Groundwater love got me through a really hard time so it seems fitting to return this year with a new album and lots to celebrate.”
On the other hand, in a “surreal twist of fate,” Josh’s only Groundwater experience so far was listening to Scott Lamond and none other than Felicity Urquhart herself, broadcasting live from Groundwater in 2019. “I’d just landed in Salt Lake City from Australia to begin a Waifs tour and was so jet lagged I couldn’t sleep so I tuned into the ABC listen app and felt like I was on the Gold Coast. In the most surreal twist of fate, this year I’ll be at Groundwater on stage with Felicity, presenting music from our album “The Song Club” which we wrote and recorded together!”
Completely free, Groundwater is a non-ticketed event presented by Major Events Gold Coast and held throughout the streets, parks, bars, and restaurants of Broadbeach on the Gold Coast.
Tourism Minister, Stirling Hinchcliffe, is delighted that Groundwater Country Music Festival is returning to the Gold Coast with a standout line-up of talent.
“For country music fans the Gold Coast is the place to be this November,” Mr Hinchliffe said. “In 2019, the Groundwater Country Music Festival contributed more than $7 million and 33,000 visitor nights to the Gold Coast’s tourism economy. Events like the Groundwater Country Music Festival support local jobs and the Palaszczuk Government’s Economic Recovery Plan for the Gold Coast. Groundwater is the only festival to combine top country music acts with great restaurants in the heart of Australia’s favourite holiday destination.”
- In 2019, 73,000 people attended the 3- day event, that’s up 15% from the previous year.
- Of those who attended in 2019, 38% were local or from the Gold Coast, 34% intrastate, 26% interstate and 2% came from international destinations.
- Those who stayed in accommodation for the festival stayed an average 3.9 nights.
- The event injected in approximately $8.46 million into the local economy in 2019, an increase of 26% on 2018. 93% of the economic impact was felt in the Gold Coast region and 7% in other parts of Queensland.
- Groundwater attracts a wide variety of demographics, from families attending during the day with little ones (often their first live music experience), to groups of friends who make it their annual holiday.
Groundwater Country Music Festival is supported by the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland and is a feature on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.
