Queenscliff Music Festival kicks off with a free gig

The 2022 Queenscliff Music Festival (QMF) is kicking off with a free pre-festival gig at the Queenscliff Brewhouse.

Local Geelong bands Bones and Jones and The Mojo Corner are performing a free, limited-capacity gig at the Queenscliff Brewhouse on Thursday November 24, the night before the QMF officially kicks off.

“It’s right over the road from where the festival is. It’s limited capacity, but free, and really a bit of an excuse to turn a three-day festival into a four-day festival,” festival director Andrew Orvis said.

“It’s just an extra night of partying.”

Orvis said the free gig is a taster for what is to come at future festivals, as QMF hopes to add more elements to the Thursday night pre-festival event.

“It brings more people into town, staying locally, and spending locally, and also more performance opportunities for all of our artists.

He said the festival is also excited to welcome back international artists, while still continuing to champion local artists.

“It’s great to have back internationals, Daddy long legs a great blues band from the US, and Raul Midón.”

Orvis said the festival has been waiting a long time to host Midón, a singer/songwriter and guitarist who recently received Grammy Award nominations for his two previous Artistry Music/Mack Avenue Music Group releases – Bad Ass & Blind and If You Really Want, each for Best Jazz Vocal Album.

Orvis said the festival will also welcome back some favourites to the festival, with something for everyone.

“I think my highlight is always different from everyone else’s, that’s the beauty of a festival like ours, everyone’s highlight is going to be different.

“And I’ve been looking forward to the Tesky Brothers who are always a favourite.”

Orvis said the QMF also takes pride in championing and giving a platform to local artists, with several returning bands as well as new up-and-coming performers.

“We’re always try to keep our ear to the ground as much as we can, and we always have some returning favourites.”

Local Bellarine, Geelong and Surf Coast artists will be hitting the stage, with a few notables including Surf Coast-based Maz Green and Gabby Steel, and Geelong-based band Bones and Jones, and solo artist Nathan Seeckts.

Local artist Gabby Steel, who won the 2020 Foot in the Door competition, along with Melbourne-based artist Seb Szabo who is also hitting the QMF stage, said she is thrilled to be playing at the QMF for the first time.

“I’m super stoked to perform at such an iconic festival.” Steel said.

“It’s an honour to have the opportunity to play alongside world-class artists, especially as a local act getting my foot in the door.

“We’re so lucky to have this brilliant festival at our doorstep so I can’t wait to make up for the last two years and hit the stage!”

While tickets are sold out, ticket resale is still available via qmf.net.au