Catch the King of Cool at Blues on Broadbeach.
Catch the King of Cool at Blues on Broadbeach.
Music royalty on the Coast, Benny D Williams has been on the scene for over 20 years.
We sat down with the living legend to chat about his first appearance at the iconic Blues on Broadbeach festival and the array of instruments in his ever-growing arsenal.
It’s almost time for Blues on Broadbeach again, what can we expect from your sets?
This is my first year playing Blues on Broadbeach so I’m really excited about the opportunity to play such a well-established and respected event alongside some legendary acts. Therefore I’ll be delivering “all killer, no filler” for my two sets over the weekend.
What do you love most about the festival?
I love the fact that punters can wander around between stages and see a wide range of great rootsy music. There’s a magnificent vibe in the air over the whole weekend. It really is something special.
Tell me about your style of music, how do you describe it to people?
My music is an eclectic combination of soulful sounds featuring rhythmic percussive grooves and drenched in psychedelic sunshine.
How many instruments are in your arsenal these days?
It varies but for this special show I’ll be packing a few guitars, Djembe drums, harmonicas, a kazoo, a recorder, my trusty cowbell and a bunch of other bells and toys which I’ll probably end up playing all at once piped through a rather large pedal board of special effects. Maybe a clarinet too.
What’s your favourite thing about performing?
That fleeting moment shared with the audience. Letting go and flowing with the music as it takes me to places I’ve never been. Improvising grooves and building a song from nothing…there’s lots of things. Performing is like meditation, I always feel like I’ve cleansed my soul somehow after a show.
How have you seen the Coast’s music scene transform over the last 20 years?
The Gold Coast and Brisbane have blossomed into a thriving creative community in so many ways. We still have a long way to go before we can match Sydney or Melbourne but I definitely think the Bjelke-Petersen hangover is wearing off.
What do you mean by the “Bjelke-Petersen hangover”?
A long time ago Queensland was a very conservative state run by a crooked bunch of National Party politicians. Joh Bjelke-Petersen was the Premier and basically drove any creative types to Sydney and Melbourne to escape from this dodgy bunch who used the police as henchmen to shut down anything they thought was outside the boundaries of good taste and often with the use of physical violence, especially towards the LGBTQ community. My parents were theatre folk who moved to Melbourne from QLD back in the day. The National Party of the 70s and 80s was an evil, nepotistic, crooked regime and they all got busted in the Fitzgerald enquiry. Queensland has regained some of its arts culture and it’s hard to catch up after 20 years or so of stunted growth but we’re getting there.
How did you come to be involved in blues music…tell us your story?
Blues is the essence of everything I write essentially. I was raised on old rock and roll and that’s stuck with me. When I was a teenager I hunted out the originals that influenced people like Elvis, Buddy Holly, Bill Haley, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones and later I drenched myself in Zeppelin and Hendrix…still do! There’s something honest and delightfully simple about the blues that resonates with me, it’s pretty much my default setting. When I wake up in the morning I make a coffee and pick up a guitar and play/learn some blues riffs. I think that’s a pretty great way to watch the sunrise.
What’s up next for you after Blues on Broadbeach?
HEAPS! I’m currently releasing a new single every month in 2017 culminating in a big album launch in December. It will have all those songs on it and a few new ones including a live track. At the same time, I’m producing lots of other local acts in the studio. From a gig perspective I’m doing a very special dinner and show on the 22nd of June upstairs at Edelweiss in their beautiful function room, which will be an audiovisual feast for the senses. It will be rock solid.
Your favourite piece of life advice…
Follow your dreams, be good to each other and don’t litter. Let everybody do what they want to do as long as it doesn’t mess with anyone else’s trip.
You’re not a Gold Coast local if you haven’t…
…watched the fireworks on the beach at NYE.
Favourites:
Beach: Not telling!! Haha.
Café: Iron and Resin Garage or anywhere that has live local music.
Music venue: To play at…at the moment I’m loving The Avenue in Surfers Paradise and Miami Marketta is great, there’s heaps! Still we need more venues that can handle live bands.
Bar: Cambus Wallace at the moment. Although I haven’t had the chance to hit any bars lately because I’ve been fairly busy. Hopefully soon!
When Spotify just isn't cutting it.
There are a great many things to get amongst on the GC, and these days, a thriving local music scene is undeniably one of them. And we can all agree, if there’s one thing that takes kicking back with a frosty refreshment to a whole new level, it’s getting your ears around some sweet tunes while you do it.
From dank, hidden indie dive bars to classic pub-style serenades for the whole fam to vibe to – whatever genre you’re in the mood for, there’s bound to be a venue to match.
This Arundel’s brewery has been hitting all the right notes since they slid open their enormous barn door at the end of 2022. Hound and Stag is now the GC’s largest combining craft brews and live music, and honestly, how could you go wrong with a combo like that?! The regular array of tribute bands are the big old auditory cherry on top of an excellent atmosphere, brew-pub bites and endless frosty beverages here, folks.
Where: 13 Wrights Place, Arundel
One of Queenland’s largest AFL clubs, Southport Sharks is a family-friendly gem that’s more than merely a haven for footy fans to wet their whistles. With multiple venues and areas built-in, this Babushka doll vibing spot always has something going on, including live acts every weekend if you’re in the mood to groove. Every Friday and Saturday night, there’s an assortment of free gigs going down, from retro RnB shows, classic pub rock to tribute acts to get those toes tapping.
Where: Cnr Musgrave and Olsen Avenues, Southport
We can always count on our local dive bar to deliver us the very dankest of gigs, and Vinnie’s Dive does exactly that. Championing our local music scene, they’re no strangers to big alt/indie names such as Dear Seattle, DZ Deathrays, Wil Wagner (The Smith Street Band) The Bennies and Regurgiator gracing their small but mighty stage – in addition to karaoke and themed tribute nights. We think this review sums it up best: “It’s dark, the floors are sticky, the toilets seats are occasionally broken, the beers are icy cold and the staff are the best people you’ll ever meet.” Get down there for great times and even better gigs.
Where: Shops A & B, 44A Nerang Street, Southport
There’s always something happening at SOPO, the entertainment heart of Southport. Right in the centre of the CBD, this lively local is your go-to for everything from live music and DJs to trivia, bingo and special events, with something on the calendar day and night. Come the weekend, Seductions Lounge turns up the volume with a rotating lineup of talented local bands and performers every Friday and Saturday, delivering the perfect soundtrack for dancing, drinks and good times with friends.
Where: 36 Scarborough Street, Southport
Take the stairs to Level 1 and you’ll find one of Surfers Paradise’s most entertaining nights out. Hotel Jardin’s Piano Bar pairs expertly crafted cocktails with live piano sessions in a moody, intimate setting centred around a baby grand. Dubbed Surfers’ favourite sing-along piano bar, the resident pianist plays all your faves and happily takes requests, so whether you’re keen to belt out a classic, sip your way through curated wine flights at Sips & Sounds, or simply soak up the late-night energy, this is your cue. Live music kicks off from 5pm Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 6pm Thursday through Sunday.
Where: 3240 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise
The Home of the Arts is certainly doing the heavy lifting to finally elevate the arts and culture scene here in our section of Queensland. From intimate, indoor performances to the homegrown darlings and headline acts routinely taking one of Australia’s best outdoor stages – the variety of shows are as varied and vibrant as its technicolour exterior.
Where: HOTA, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
Open Tuesday to Sunday, Den Devine was awarded Gold Coast Live Music Venue of the Year 2025, and it’s easy to see why. Since opening in 2020, Den Devine has put live music at the heart of everything it does, celebrating both seasoned pros and rising local talent across jazz, blues, and a whole mix of global genres. The intimate, “music is life” vibe makes every visit feel like a front-row experience.
Fuel your night with UK & Irish fayre, European classics, USA favourites, and a stellar whisky selection. Seats fill fast, book ahead to catch the vibe.
Where: 15 Victoria Avenue, Broadbeach
When it comes to star-studded acts and internationally recognised music performances, The Star Gold Coast is the place to grab a seat in a full-blown theatre and experience music as it was intended. But the entertainment doesn’t stop when the curtain falls.
Across the precinct, you’ll find live music lighting up Atrium Bar, Nineteen at The Star and Cherry, alongside the open-air ambience of Garden Kitchen & Bar’s Live on the Lawn series. From DJs and soloists to laidback acoustic sets and vibrant weekend sessions, there’s always a soundtrack to your night out.
Where: 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach
Build it, and they will come… though it’s not clear in this analogy if the ‘they’ should be the steady stream of stellar, live music acts, the hungry hordes, or adoring music fans. Either way, this iconic laneway has established itself as a cracking spot for many things, including one of the best places to catch a gig on the GC.
From 5pm from Wednesday to Saturday nights, Miami comes alive with foods from all around the world mixed with local blues, jazz and independent artists. A hotspot doing some solid heavy lifting to attract incredible national and international acts as they tour the country – Be sure to keep an eye on their gig calendar; tickets always sell out fast!
Where: 23 Hillcrest Parade, Miami
A true Gold Coast icon since 1883, The Wallaby Hotel is where cold beers, loud guitars and even louder singalongs collide. Fresh from a glow-up that still keeps its old-school charm intact, this Mudgeeraba fave is basically the unofficial HQ for live music lovers. Expect bands belting it out every weekend (and often midweek too), dance floors that don’t quit and plenty of boot-scootin’ opportunities. Whether you’re here for a chilled solo pint or a full boogie with the crew, good times are basically guaranteed.Where: 45 Railway Street, Mudgeeraba
Burleigh’s multi-use music, space hire and events hub, Mo’s Desert Clubhouse is a melting pot of goings-on and a principal meeting place for muso’s, movers and shakers and music lovers across the GC. The industrial-style venue is outfitted with a fully stocked bar and equally stacked gig guide, so refer back often and make sure you pencil in a date with Mo’s Desert Clubhouse ASAP.
Where: 6/36 Central Drive, Burleigh Heads
A fresh look is not the only thing Burleigh Town Hotel is boasting these days, also ‘drumming up’ a very solid live entertainment schedule studded with emerging bands and popular Aussie acts to get your ears around. There’s DJ’s and acoustic artists bringing tunes to the beer garden most weekends, along with with Punk, Motown and Pop themed tribute shows – where you can hit the d-floor to the likes of Ed Sheeran, Robbie Williams and queen Kylie (gold hot pants optional).
Where: Tsipura Drive, Burleigh Heads
This gem is a favourite among live music fans, having hosted a slew of local, national and international icons — but it also remains one of our best-kept secrets. Find your way down to Currumbin RSL, where, hidden just above, Soundlounge hosts acts from folk soloists and DJs to rock and roll bands. Listening to fantastic live music can be a hungry business, but this venue has you covered with food options, including pizza, an a la carte restaurant and bar snacks.
Where: 165 Duringan Street, Currumbin
Whether you’ve been catching world-class waves or lounging in the afternoon sun, Coolangatta — and specifically the Coolangatta Hotel — has long been known as one of the best for rounding out a perfect afternoon with live music. Being one of the Gold Coast’s largest live music venues, this OG frequently features both national and international touring bands and DJs on any given weekend. In between catching your fave big names, rock out to live, local tunes every Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun.
Where: Cnr Warner Street and Marine Parade, Coolangatta
For live music lovers, Twin Towns delivers in a big way. Home to a 1,000-seat, state-of-the-art Showroom, this Tweed Heads icon hosts an ever-changing lineup of acclaimed Australian and international artists, with both daytime and evening ticketed shows on the calendar. Beyond the big names, there’s more than 50 hours of free live entertainment every week, making it one of the premier live music venues on the Tweed and southern Gold Coast. Head to The Stage for complimentary performances from talented local and touring acts, and settle in for an easy, music-filled day or night out.
Where: 2 Wharf Street, Tweed Heads
Words by Belinda Symons
Rock out with your shamrock out!
Shamrocks at the ready, Gold Coasters – St Patrick’s Day is rolling around again. If you needed an excuse to throw on something green and gather your crew for a cheeky pint of Guinness, here it is! From Irish tunes and traditional dancers to plenty of enthusiastic (and occasionally questionable) Irish accents, the Gold Coast is once again embracing the spirit of the Emerald Isle.
March 17th is the day famously dedicated to celebrating Irish culture around the world. This year it falls on a Tuesday, so many venues are starting the celebrations early, turning the weekend into a pre-St. Paddy’s party.
Expect live music, flowing pints, Irish-inspired eats and more than a few attempts at a spontaneous Riverdance.
So, whether you’re chasing a lively pub atmosphere, traditional music or simply somewhere to raise a glass with friends, here’s where to get your green on across the Gold Coast, listed north to south.
Feeling lucky? Head to Paradise Point Bowls Club on Sunday, 15 March, for a day of Irish fun. Expect live music from Irish You Were Beer from 1pm, a performance from the Carolan Irish Dancers at 2pm and Irish-inspired food and drink specials running all day. Dress up in your best green attire and settle in for an afternoon of good vibes, a pint or two and maybe even a jig. Bookings essential.
Where: 22 Thrush Avenue, Paradise Point
When: From 1pm, 15th March 2026
Dublin Docks Tavern is going all in with a full St Patrick’s Weekend celebration from 14–17 March. Expect Irish dancers from the McNeill Academy, live bands and soloists, themed raffles and prizes, plus a DJ spinning the biggest Irish hits. There’s even a costume competition, so start planning that outfit now.
Where: Harbour Town Shopping Centre, Harbour Town Drive, Biggera Waters
When: 14th-17th March 2026
The Local Tavern is celebrating its Irish roots with a five-day St Paddy’s celebration from 13–17 March. There’ll be live music, chef specials and plenty of Guinness flowing all weekend long. The festivities continue into Monday and Tuesday with food and Guinness specials, so you’ve got plenty of time to join the craic. Book a table to secure your spot.
Where: Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre, G29/3240 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
When: 13th–17th March 2026
If there’s one place known for throwing a massive St Patrick’s Day party on the Gold Coast, it’s Waxy’s. The festivities kick off at 10am on Thursday, 13 March and run right through until 3am on Tuesday, 18 March.
Expect a huge live music lineup, traditional shamrock dancers, a pipe band marching through the venue and epic gaming giveaways throughout the celebration. Fuel up with a proper Irish breakfast before settling in for a marathon session. Green outfits encouraged. Big energy required.
Where: 3206 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise
When: 13th–18th March 2026
Finn McCool’s is once again turning Surfers Paradise into a sea of green for St Patrick’s Day on Tuesday, 17 March. Doors open at 10am with live music kicking off from 11:30am and running throughout the day.
The lineup includes Richard Neill, Tales of Strangers, The Gathering and DJ Ando, plus guest appearances from the Carolan Irish Dancing Academy and the Gold Coast Pipe Band. Expect shamrocks, shenanigans and plenty of craic. No bookings required, just walk in.
Where: 39 Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise
When: From 10am, 17th March 2026
The iconic D’Arcy Arms, the Gold Coast’s oldest Irish pub, is bringing the craic with a three-day St. Patrick’s Festival on 14th, 15th, and 17th March 2026. Expect live music from Mark Butler & Salliana 7, Ryan Mullin, The Gathering, and Sarah Calderwood & Paul Brandon, plus high-energy performances from the Carolan Academy of Irish Dance and the Gold Coast Pipe Band. A huge outdoor marquee, the Shamrock Bar, and the pub’s outdoor deck will all be buzzing with music, dance, and festival fun.
Feast on classic Irish dishes like Beef & Guinness pie washed down with plenty of Guinness and your favourite Irish drinks. Sláinte!
Where: 2923 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise
When: 14th, 15th and 17th of March 2026
Broadbeach’s Den Devine is bringing the party on 17 March from 11:30am. Grab a $10 pint of Guinness during happy hour from 3–6pm and keep an eye out for the roaming leprechaun- if you buy a Jameson and catch him, you could win a prize.
There’s also the Split the G challenge, plus the chance to win Guinness for a month when you buy a pint and a main meal.
Where: Shop 12/15 Victoria Ave, Broadbeach
When: 17th March 2026
Miami Tavern is keeping things festive on 17 March from 5–9pm with live music, Guinness on tap and a menu packed with Irish favourites. Think Jameson BBQ sliders, spice bags, baby Guinness shots and a classic 4-in-1. Dress in your best green outfit for the chance to win the best-dressed prize.
Where: 2043 Gold Coast Highway, Miami
When: 17th March 2026
Currumbin RSL is hosting Irish Fest from the 12th, 14th, 15th, and 17th of March! Here to celebrate all things Irish with live music across the club, traditional Irish dancing and themed food specials.
Highlights include traditional Irish music sessions, performances from Journey of a Fiddler, Eimhin Healy, Munster Bucks, Paul & Sarah, Stowaways and Flynn & O’Leary, plus Irish dancing throughout the weekend. Entry is free, so gather the lads and lasses, grab a Guinness and settle in for a week of proper Irish shenanigans.
Where: 165 Duringan Street, Currumbin
When: 12th, 14th, 15th, and 17th of March 2026
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
