Michael Fix
Put an acoustic guitar into Michael Fix's hands and the emotional possibilities of music are suddenly realised. This remarkable composer and musician has the power to create sensory experiences through his music - capturing and conveying emotions, experiences and images with ease. Over the past 30 years, Michael has released fifteen albums, together with several songbooks, singles and EPs, and has established himself as one of Australia's finest guitarists and composers. As well as his annual tours to Europe and Asia, Michael hosts the ‘ Acoustic Guitar Spectacular’, touring Queensland each year, showcasing local and international guests. He is an in-demand educator, and has won numerous awards for his music, including three Golden Guitars.
Sarah Koppen
Infectious grooves, nifty guitar techniques with dashes of human beatboxing, Sarah Koppen is a one of a kind one-woman-band. Hailing from the small town of Innisfail in Far North Queensland, 27 year old Sarah Koppen is a guitarist known for blending traditional fingerstyle, funk, flamenco, two-handed tapping, beatboxing and percussive techniques into solo guitar material. She has recently built quite a buzz around herself from the ground up via busking to ever-growing crowds in Brisbane, earning herself a healthy following as well as recognition from publications such as GuitarWorld and UltimateGuitar. Following the release of her debut EP Santa Monica Street in 2018, Sarah toured around Queensland performing with renowned fingerstyle guitarists Michael Fix and Andrea Valeri.
Sunshine Coast Guitar Orchestra
The SCGO draws its repertoire from musical traditions from around the world: Spanish, Appalachian, Irish, Africa, Australian and more. Directed by Andrew Veivers, the SCGO is a People’s Orchestra project, a community orchestra model created by Andrew Veivers and performing arts company Red Chair. The SCGO is supported by The Events Centre (Caloundra).
Swingin' Martinis
Take a couple of swingers, hand them microphones, slip them into tuxedos & what do you have? The Swingin’ Martinis!! With a double scoop of comedy, a generous serving of musical mayhem and some good old slapstick...The Swingin’ Martinis have put together a cocktail that any self-respecting Swinger will not want to miss out on!
Van Larkins
He started out experimenting on an egg-slicer at just ten, and now, at 32, Van Larkins is at the forefront of the fingerstyle guitar revolution in Australia. Inventing ground-breaking techniques and highly complex compositions, Van Larkins is hailed world-wide as a leading composer and guitarist in fingerstyle earning him magazine covers, a coveted spot on the CandyRat Records roster, endorsements and praise from the world’s leading artists in the genre, including Andrew White, Phil Emmanuel and Strictly Ballroom’s Antonio Vargas.
Youkali
Inspired by the famous Kurt Weill song, Youkali tells tall tales of love, longing, adventure and discovery, effortlessly drawing from a programme of jazz, folk and flamenco.
Singer Kacey Patrick’s three-octave range is a rare instrument combining sublime intuition and beauty, with instinctive risk taking and vocal soundscapes.
Supporting and interweaving with Kacey’s stunning voice is an instrumental texture created by Spanish guitarist Andrew Veivers and double bassist Andrew Shaw that at times creates a grand cinematic presence before fearlessly embracing adventurous harmonic and lyrical minimalist explorations.
Youkali is an ensemble of seasoned and consummate professionals whose performances take you on a wild and varied sonic journey. Eliciting laughter, tears, sighs and moments of pure auditory delight.