Queenie to Perform as Queenscliff music festival reveals more acts

MELBOURNE singer-songwriter Queenie, the fearless trash queen alter-ego of Eloise Thetford, is set to make her debut at the Queenscliff Music Festival, captivating the stage with her raw, powerful voice and signature intensity.

Joining Queenie on the lineup are Marlon Williams, Xavier Rudd, Kasey Chambers, Bob Log III, The Bures Band, Cash Savage & The Last Drinks, Fools, Grace Cummings, Jack Botts, The Meltdown, Rob Edwards, The Stamps, and The Wiggles Sound System.

They will join previously announced artist Michael Franti & Spearhead.

Queenie, known for her compelling narratives and personal lyrics, credits her early experiences at the Rock Summer School in Launceston as a pivotal moment in her musical journey.

“It was such a massive part of me deciding that I really wanted to pursue music,” she said. “I was playing pubs by the time I was 15 with my mum standing by with a shotgun ready to fight off all the crazy old men.”

Transitioning from abstract themes to narrating personal experiences, Queenie’s songwriting took a significant turn following a breakup just before the COVID-19 lockdowns.

“It was a great catalyst for writing more emotionally charged material,” she said. “Being able to write about it was my saving grace through lockdown.”

Her upcoming album, “New Moult,” is inspired by the concept of spiders moulting, symbolising personal growth and transformation.

“It is possible to regrow part of yourself once you’ve shed the prior skins of your life,” she explained. “I thought it kind of worked well as an analogy for what I was going through.”

Queenie’s musical influences are diverse, ranging from classical music to jazz, and rock legends like Neil Young and Led Zeppelin.

“My mum had the most crazy tape collection, like drawers and drawers of tapes of everything from classical music to jazz,” she said.

Performing live remains a crucial part of Queenie’s artistry.

“I love both writing and performing on stage,” she said. “I think being a little theatre kid probably really scratches that itch.”

Fans can expect an emotional journey during her performance at the Queenscliff Music Festival.

“We have parts of the set that are quite gentle and sad, and then other parts that are pretty hard-rocking,” she said. “I’m so excited to be playing Queenscliff Music Festival; it’s an awesome bucket list moment for me.”

Queenie’s live performances are known for their fiery charisma and dynamic stage presence.

Her new album “New Moult” is set for release in August.

Queenscliff Music Festival early bird tickets are still on sale for a couple of weeks, with single-day tickets available starting July 2.

More Queenscliff Music Festival info here: qmf.net.au/tickets.