LineUp

A musician of integrity and acclaim, songwriter Ben Evolent’s folk-alt-meets-country-blues sound has become a mainstay on stages and festivals throughout the country over the past 15 years.

Ruby Mills is a Queensland-based vocalist with a love for the blues. Her vocal style is strongly inspired by jazz instrumentalists and the history and sounds of soul. She has rapidly become known for her strong vocal range and confident, captivating performances.

Brad Butcher is an award-winning singer-songwriter whose music has resonated deeply with audiences for over a decade. With two Golden Guitar Awards and a Queensland Music Award under his belt, Brad’s songwriting has earned him over 30 nominations, marking him as one of Australia’s most respected and enduring artists.

To date, Brad has released five albums, each a reflection of his commitment to storytelling and emotional honesty. His music seamlessly blends country, folk, and roots influences, rooted in a tradition of songwriters who craft from the heart.

Pete O’Brien has been playing live music for the past 30 years and writing original songs that have often been a force to be reckoned with in helping his local community based around the Wide Bay in Queensland. His latest single ‘Indiana Girl’ is currently receiving plenty of attention and some heavy airplay.

Kurran Rain are an acoustic rock trio based in Central Queensland. Their original songs include shades of folk, country blues and reggae, as well as rock. 

Maynard Heap is a versatile singer-songwriter who shares his diverse range of songs on guitar and harmonica. His distinctive, self-taught style has evolved with his teaching career and musical journey throughout Queensland.

Kari & Gar play mostly Irish, Canadian and American fiddle tunes, mixed in with Gar’s original songs. Gar’s gravel-edged voice is accompanied by finger-picked and strummed guitar, alongside Kari’s vibrant New England style of fiddle playing. 

Sophie Rose Raymond is the lead singer of Raining Roses, a rock/pop band from Rockhampton. She has been writing and performing on various stages since she was 11 years old. With over 13 years of stage experience under her belt, Sophie is no stranger to live performances and can tailor her performances to suit any crowd.

Gwyn Ashton is on top of the list of the new wave of modern blues rock artists, as spearheaded by The Black Keys, Jack White, Seasick Steve et al. A first class entertainer, he oozes stagecraft and showmanship, combining songs and stories from a road well-travelled with dextrous guitar playing, basting out drum beats on Bill Ward’s old Black Sabbath drum kit, grinding fuzz bass lines with his thumb while viciously attacking his guitar with a bottleneck slide, singing and blowing blues harp into a lofi radio microphone.Inspired by the likes of Hendrix and David Lindley, Ashton’s ‘guit-arsenal’ includes a rack full of electric and acoustic instruments including lap slide, resonator, 12-string and old pawn shop guitars.