Beach Concert to Star in Superfest

V8 Superfest, the month-long festival which will light up the famous holiday strip in the lead up to the ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600, is shaping up as a celebration for all ages and interests criss-crossing the region.

More than 25 events were announced today by Queensland Minister for Tourism and Major Events Jann Stuckey with activities spread the length of the coast in celebration and preparation for the City’s largest annual event.

A series of ‘pop-up’ concerts across the length of the coast, a V8 Superkart Derby at Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast Rockers GC600 Hop at Runaway Bay, an opera event at Palm Beach, moonlight movies on Surfers are amongst the new events joining the V8 Superfest Gold Coast Parade through Surfers Paradise, Race of the Stars karting event and the Jim Beam Sand Jam powered by Sea FM.

The Festival will also combine with the Gold Coast Pet and Animal Expo at Varsity Lakes and a new event Tapas on Tedder - a Latino style street festival including live music, street performers and fine dining - at Main Beach, in race week. All festival events are listed in full below, most of those a free of charge.

Several surf clubs across the coast are also getting behind the ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600 by decorating their clubs in event colours for the month of October.

“From art to music, movies to motorsports, it’s fair to say October will be one very exciting month on the Gold Coast,” Ms Stuckey said.

“This year’s festival promises more variety and excitement to enhance the visitor experience and the State Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, looks forward to continuing our partnership with V8 Supercars to grow tourism outcomes for the State.

“Supporting major events like the ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600 supports our goal to double annual overnight visitor expenditure from $15 billion to $30 billion by 2020.”

V8 Supercars Chief Executive Officer, James Warburton, said that while festival events would be spread across the Gold Coast, the beach would be a focal point of the ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600.

Mr Warburton announced that the Jim Beam Sand Jam powered by Sea FM concert series would be held on Surfers Paradise beach on the Friday and Saturday nights of the event.

“We have been working on a plan to host the concerts beachside for several months and can today announce that one of the world’s most famous strips will host a major concert each night,” Mr Warburton said.

“The more we showcase the Coast’s tourism drawcards the better. We are working closely with Government, Council and Surfers Paradise to attract visitors and showcase the Gold Coast through our domestic and international television and online audiences.”

Concert goers will have sand between their toes at the concerts after a day of spectacular racing and on-track entertainment, then head into Surfers Paradise to continue the party if they choose.

“It makes sense to connect this major event with the beach,” Mr Warburton said.

“At the end of the day people can make their way a few hundred metres down the esplanade and into the concert zone, slip off their shoes and party the night away in true Gold Coast style. It will be huge.”

The concerts are limited with capacity expected to be between 5000-8000. The first 1000 ticket holders can opt in for a free ticket. The remainder of concert tickets are available for just $19.95 per night when purchasing a three-day or same day event ticket.

The major international artists include US rap-rock outfit Gym Class Heroes, featuring Travie McCoy. Gym Class Heroes will be supported at the Friday night concert by Australia’s own Spiderbait, Havana Brown and Bomb’s Away.

Aria Award winning electro pop duo The Presets headline the Saturday night concert, supported by Aussie rock greats Grinspoon, Gold Coast international success story The Stafford Brothers and Gold Coast-born DJ Brooke Evers. The national Miss V8 Supercar finalist will be announced that evening.

The full-line up of events can be found here.

The ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600 will run from 25 to 27 October, with the festival commencing from 1 October. Tickets are available through Ticketek.