There’s nothing not to love about the Cooly Rocks On Festival. Music, dancing, cars, nostalgia and good old fashioned family fun are all on the program. Ready to rock in 2019? Here’s our guide to what to expect…
About Cooly Rocks Festival
Cooly Rocks On was established in 2011 and has evolved to become Australia’s largest rock’n’roll and nostalgia festival. It’s a signature event on the Gold Coast calendar and five days not to be missed.
Cooly Rocks On is set on a combination of outdoor stages and venues within the beachside streetscape of Coolangatta. It celebrates everything 50s, 60s and 70s, bringing wonderful colour to the already vibrant town.
Bring the family and enjoy loads of free entertainment and retro markets, watch the Cooly Rocks On Street Parade and check out thousands of classic cars.
What to expect in 2019
Each year Cooly Rocks On gets better. Check out the program of events and entertainment online and plan how you will spend the five days. Highlight activities include:
HARVEST MOON SWING BALL
Featuring a seven-piece Swing band with vocalist Melissa Western, the Harvest Moon Swing Ball is your chance to dance the night away at the party of the year. Grab your dance partner and watch as the 10 finalists of Miss Cooly Rocks take to the stage for the 2019 crowning and then step back in time with the Swing Ball.
Where to find it: The Showroom, Twin Towns
When: Thursday 6 June, 5:30pm – 11:30pm
ROCK’N’ROLL DANCE WORKSHOP
Learn the moves and find your groove at Cooly Rocks On’s free outdoor rock’n’roll dance workshop, led by Jake and the Cadillac Rockers. Brush up on your skills ahead of the weekend, right in the heart of the Festival Precinct.
Where to find it: Queen Elizabeth Park Stage
When: Friday 7 June, 10:00am – 10:30am
SHOW ‘N’ SHINE
See every vintage and classic make and model imaginable with hundreds of custom cars, classic cars and hot rods taking to Marine Parade for Cooly Rocks On Show ‘n’ Shine. Cars stretch out for miles throughout Coolangatta and Tweed and people come from far and wide to drool over rare and much-loved four-wheeled treasures.
Where to find it: Marine Parade & Griffith Street
When: Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 June, 9:00am – 4:30pm
MISS ROCKABILLY 2019
The annual Miss Rockabilly pageant was created in response to the increased demand for a fun and cultural event for those who live and breathe the rockabilly lifestyle. Presented by Kitten D’Amour, the pageant embraces the Pin Up culture and fashion of the 40’s, 50’s & 60’s through its love of the music, culture, cars and lifestyle.
Where to find it: The Coolangatta Hotel
When: Friday 7 June, 6:00pm – 11:00pm
INDIAN MOTORCYCLE NATIONAL GATHERING
For the first time in 2019, the Indian Motorcycle Riders Group (IMRG) will host their National Gathering at Cooly Rocks On. IMRG members can enjoy three days of organised rides and events while festival goers can check out the hottest Indian motorcycles on display, including the highly anticipated FTR1200 range. For those who like to shop, there’s a large range of apparel for sale at the beachside Indian HQ.
Where to find it: Marine Parade
When: Friday 7 – Sunday 9 June, 9:00am – 5:30pm
VINTAGE PICNIC
Put on your frocks and petticoats, pedal pushers or pencil skirts, two tones and trilbies and pack your Spam sandwiches and picnic blanket into your pale pink FJ Holden and head to the foreshore for lunch in the sunshine. Bring your favourite vinyls to spin on the record player and enjoy a day with friends at the Vintage Picnic.
Where to find it: Southern Greenmount Foreshore (Opposite McDonalds)
When: Sunday 9 June, 1:00pm – 2:00pm
SUNDAY STREET PARADE
By far the event not to miss, the Sunday Street Parade brings thousands of onlookers to Coolangatta for a procession of floats, vintage cars, surf wagons, bikes, vans, rockabillys, musicians and more. Get your camera ready!
Where to find it: Marine Parade & Griffith Street
When: Sunday 9 June, 9am – 10:30am
Highlight bands and artists include:
THE LINCOLNS
Four-piece Teddy Boy band, The Lincolns, play a mix of high-energy Rock’n’Roll classics and originals with their own unique style. For nine years they’ve been playing sold out shows and festivals both in Australia and in Europe and they’ve had two number one CDs in the UK Rock’n’Roll charts. When the Ted’s are boppin’, there’s just no stoppin’ those dancing feet.
Where to find them: Greenmount Stage & Queen Elizabeth Stage
When: Saturday 8 June, 4:20pm – 5:20pm & Sunday 9 June, 3:20pm – 4:20pm
B-DADDY & THE DOUBLE D’S
B-Daddy and the Double D’s are a high-energy rockabilly band based on the Gold Coast and Brisbane. They take influences from the Stray Cats, Eddie Cochran, The Reverend Horton Heat, Dick Dale and Brian Setzer Orchestra. Highly capable of rocking the house down, we’re stoked to have them at the Cooly Hotel.
Where to find them: Coolangatta Hotel
When: Saturday 8 June, 8:30pm – 11:30pm
ELLA FONTAINE AND THE SUGARSHAKERS
The SugarShakers play an exciting mix of hits and originals from rockabilly and rock’n’roll to swing and blues. A mainstay of the Brisbane music scene for more than a decade, Ella Fintane and the SugarShakers represent the styles and sounds of the late 40s right through to the early 60s.
Where to find them: Greenmount Beach Surf Club
When: Friday 7 June, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
MEMPHIS SUNS
Playing a mixture of popular 50s tunes and original compositions, the Memphis Suns are a rockabilly trio that hail from Adelaide. Their current album is making waves both here and in the USA, capturing the sounds of the very early Sun Session recordings. Influencers include Elvis, Glen Glenn, Chuck Berry and Bill Haley.
Where to find them: Various venues, including the Coolangatta Hotel
When: Thursday 6 June – Saturday 8 June
JAKE AND THE CADILLACS
Performing a range of classics from the 50’s and 60’s, along with a mix of newer rock’n’roll hits, Jake and the Cadillacs will get every mover, twister and rockabilly hipster up and having a good time. Hailing from nearby Murwillumbah they’re a local favourite.
Where to find them: Various venues
When: Friday 7 June – Sunday 9 June
SEVEN DEADLY SWINGS
A premier band hailing from the Gold Coast, Seven Deadly Swings feature seven of the hottest musicians playing the coolest electric swing, jump hive, boogie blues, rockabilly and deadly rock’n’roll tunes.
SHELLEY MINSON
Shelley Minson and her guitar playing, four-time Golden Guitar winning husband Lawrie are Tamworth favourites and a dynamic and fun mix of Honky Tonk and Rockabilly. Shelley’s a regular on the country music festival scene and has performed twice at the world’s largest rockabilly festival, Viva Las Vegas.
Where to find them: The Surf Club Coolangatta
When: Saturday 8 June, 7:30pm – 11:30pm
Planning a trip to Cooly Rocks On in 2019? The Coolangatta Hotel is a big part of the action so why not take it all in from the comfort of the Beach Bar, enjoy a beer while cheering for Miss Rockabilly, and come check out bands like The Memphis Suns and B-Daddy and the Double D’s.
