PREVIEW – 2023 COOLY ROCKS ON - JUST CARS

PREVIEW – 2023 Cooly Rocks On

Photos: Courtesy of Cooly Rocks On

After a record crowd in 2022 – more than 136,000 - and over 900 vehicles on display, Cooly Rocks On is ready to go bigger and better in 2023, with this year’s festival locked in for 7 – 11 June.

Australia’s favourite nostalgia festival, Cooly Rocks On celebrates the motors, music and lifestyle of yesteryear, with Coolangatta’s beachfront the hub for all that makes this festival great, from the live rockabilly, rock ’n’ roll and swing music, to the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, Pin-up Pageant, market stalls - and a whole lot of cars.

“This year’s festival is going to be bigger and better than ever with five international acts invited to perform, as well as dozens of acts from across the country filling the streets with the sound and energy we have become famous for,” said Major Events Gold Coast Director of Festivals and Events, Mark Duckworth.

“If you’re all about ’50s, ’60s and ’70s music then get ready to step back in time with our curated lineup of legendary artists at Cooly Rocks On in 2023.”

Supported by the Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, Cooly Rocks On is a feature on the It’s Live! In Queensland events calendar.

The Music

Live Music every day
More than two dozen artists
Two free outdoor stages
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest

Some of the best rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly, swing and Elvis Tribute artists from around the country and beyond will turn back the clock to the golden era of the ’50s, ‘60s and ’70s.

Amongst the artists locked in for this year’s Cooly Rocks On, the headliners are Swedish rockabilly veterans, The Go Getters, who'll be making their first appearance in Australia in more than a decade. Johnny Pandora from Japan and Boom! Boom! Deluxe from New Zealand keep the international rockabilly theme going.

Aussie artists on the bill include fan favourites The Rechords, Lucky Seven (who’ll also play at the Moonlight Swing Dance), ‘Princess of Rockabilly’ Cherry Divine, Jake and the Cadillacs, Kenny and the Nitro Rockers, The Pacific Belles, Itchy Fingers, Swingabilly Ray, The Rockafellas, Peaches & The Alphasonics, Melody Graves and The Hokum Redemption, The Lucky Comets, Way Out West, The Tri-Tones and more.

Between live shows, DJ Jukebox Jimmy and DJ Lori Lee will keep the platters spinning, while Issi Dye will present his Legends of Rock ‘n’ Roll show.

For Elvis fans, Jimmy Holmes and Mark Andrew present: The King Returns to Stage ’68-‘72, but this year’s big coup is the inclusion of Shawn Klush from the USA. Regarded as the best Elvis Tribute Artist in the world and named the first ever ‘Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist’ by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Shawn will make his first appearance in Australia in five years at Cooly Rocks On.

“Shawn tours extensively around the world performing to sold out shows,” said Duckworth. “For Elvis fans, it doesn’t get much better than this.”

Cooly Rocks On will also host one of only two Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contests in Australia, with the three-round competition (8 to 11 June) seeing the winner go to Elvis Week in Memphis, Tennessee, representing Cooly Rocks On.

Held in the Elvis Marquee on the Coolangatta beachfront, the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest is a ticketed event, accessed with a VIP Legends Pass, gold or silver ticket. Shawn Klush’s live show, along with The King Returns to Stage ’68-’72, are also ticketed.

If the sounds of surf-themed rock ‘n’ roll are more your style, The Australian Beach Boys Show will bring all the hits from the iconic American group to Cooly Rocks On and is also a ticketed event.

The Cars

Show ‘N’ Shine
Early Bird Show ‘N’ Shine
Kustomville and Goodwin Park Display
Two Car Cruises, travelling to SEVEN82MOTORS and Balter Brewing

For revheads, Cooly Rocks On is heaven on earth, with the huge display of classic cars, hot rods, lowriders and more (pre-1979) on Saturday, 10 June and Sunday, 11 June spread over almost two kilometres of Coolangatta.

Last year, over 900 cars and motorcycles were on display, with even more expected this year.

Marine Parade will be the venue for Kustomville, bringing custom cars, hot rods and lead sleds together with lowbrow artists and kustom culture attractions.

Ongoing growth of the Show ‘N’ Shine at Cooly Rocks On led to the introduction of the ‘Early Bird Show ‘N’ Shine’, which was first held last year and returns for 2023, on Thursday, 8 June and Friday, 9 June.

If you want to do more with your car than just show it, two Car Runs are scheduled.

Cooly Rocks On will host the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, with the winner going to Elvis Week in Memphis.

On Wednesday, 7 June (4:30PM – 8:00PM), the Gold Coast Muscle Car Club will host a cruise to SEVEN82MOTORS in Nerang for a special evening that includes tours of the 782 Garage, the grand opening of Big Benny’s Diner, the unveiling of their June auction consignments and more.

On Thursday 8 June (3:30PM – 6:30PM), join the ‘Car Run to Balter Brewing’ on the Gold Coast, where the taproom at the Currumbin brewery will be supplemented by local food trucks and live music for an afternoon of brews, bites and banter.

The Car Runs and Show ‘N’ Shine are ticketed events and entry numbers are limited, so head to www.coolyrockson.com for more information and to purchase your tickets.

The Lifestyle

Pin-up Pageant
Cooly Rocks On Moonlight Swing Dance
Market Stalls

Cooly Rocks On wouldn’t be the festival it is without celebrating the lifestyle of yesteryear, and the Pin-up Pageant is a big part of that lifestyle, as well as a festival favourite.

Last year’s pageant attracted entrants from the USA and New Zealand. Entries for this year’s pageant opened in February.

The Pin-up Pageant, held at the Elvis Marquee on the Coolangatta beachfront, will see finalists compete over three rounds - day wear, evening wear and talent - for the title of 2023 Pin-Up Pageant winner, with awards for runner-up and Most Entertaining, too.

For those with dancing feet, the Cooly Rocks On Moonlight Swing Dance celebrates the iconic era of swing, with a complimentary glass of champagne on arrival and Lucky Seven providing the tunes.

Finally, the beachfront markets along the Coolangatta foreshore will present a vast range of retro goods, vintage merchandise and memorabilia from years gone by.