The Agnes Blues, Roots & Rock Festival continues to ramp up their world-class live music vibes, announcing their next artist for the popular Discovery Stage to complement the main Marquee Stage from 19 – 21 February 2027 at the SES Grounds, Town of 1770.
Among almost 20 artists to get up close and personal with the Discovery Stage audience in February 2027 will be Mark Howard, a charismatic, magnetic music journeyman from Victoria.
Mark Howard is a Phillip Island-based singer-songwriter whose music moves between folk, rock and country. Forged through blinding desire, deep loss, and embracing the shadow self, his songs carry grit and vulnerability in equal measure. With a road-worn voice and cinematic songwriting style, his work carries the weight of 45 countries’ worth of stages and a life spent chasing songs across borders.
Since releasing his debut single Pick Me Up in 2022 and debut album Passing Strangers, Howard has built a strong independent path through relentless touring and live performance. Over the past few years, he has completed four national tours, alongside tours of Japan, New Zealand and the UK, winning audiences one room at a time.
Howard’s second album Deep Dark Bluemarked another major step forward, earning six nominations at the AIR Awards 2026, alongside multiple AMRAP #1’s and national airplay across ABC Radio. His music video for The Light Behind Us was also featured in the Bass Coast Film Festival in 2025.
Howard has shared stages with Tim Rogers, Billy Thorpe, Ross Wilson, Tash Sultana, The Black Sorrows, Alex Lloyd, Thirsty Merc and Pete Murray, with festival appearances around the country including Ocean Sounds Festival, The Highland Writers Festival, Mornington Music Festival, Tidal Festival, Playing the Field Festival, Nelligen Folk Festival and The Basin Music Festival.
Howard’s songwriting has also found a home in theatre, receiving accolades at both the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Adelaide Fringe for Brechtian theatrical productions. His latest release, Mark Howard and The Saltwater Preachers (Live at Sunderland Studio), captures the energy and intimacy of his live show, bridging the gap between studio recordings and the stage with a raw, magnetic performance style.
“Few artists come close to the sheer level of charisma and magnetism this artist exudes… Everything he does is absolutely effortless, and his discography is full of evident hits.” – Dreamy Paradise (USA)
Journey with the charismatic, magnetic Mark Howard as he makes his Discovery Stage debut from 11.45am-12.30pm on Sunday 21 February 2027. This will be a mesmerising, immersive set that you’ll remember long after the last note has sounded and been sung.
Designed to complement the Marquee Stage program within the vibrant Festival precinct at the 1770 SES Grounds and about to celebrate its seventh year, the Discovery Stage encompasses the blues, roots and rock genres within a relaxed, intimate atmosphere; getting up close and personal and showcasing original music performed by an eclectic range of entertaining regional artists from Central Queensland and beyond.
Limited discount #AgnesBluesFest 2027 tickets are on sale at $179pp until Sunday 1 November 2026, a saving of $70 on the full ticket price of $249. Book now via www.agnesbluesandroots.com.au/tickets
The Agnes Blues, Roots & Rock Festival is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar. #AgnesBluesFest is also proudly supported in 2027 by the Gladstone Regional Council’s Community Celebration Fund.
Rocking out since 2008, the Agnes Blues, Roots & Rock Festival is a 3 Day Annual Event held in the Great Barrier Reef’s Sensational Deep South.
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Each and every year, the #AgnesBluesFest is not only focused on delivering a fantastic live show for ticket holders, it also ensures a positive impact on the local community and environment. In 2027, profits will once again go directly to local community groups, and the annual community event established in 1992, the 1770 Festival.
