Beach Music Set to Rock on Saturday

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The Airlie Beach Foreshore is set to host an evening of live entertainment as Beach Music returns on Saturday 1^st August as a part of the Great Barrier Reef Festival.  

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Kicking off from 6pm, the $10 entry event will feature a mix of local favourites and touring acts, giving festival-goers another reason to stay in town after the parade winds its way through Main Street.

Headlining the event is rock-country band Kingswood, whose roots span Melbourne and Nashville. Founded by Fergus Linacre and Alex Laska, the pair and their “Family Band” have been making music together since they were 11 and have since toured extensively throughout Australia and overseas.  

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“We like to go little bit wild on stage. We've been around for a while and have done a lot of different genres so there's a bit in there for everyone,” Fergus said.  

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Touring has become a way of life for Kingswood. After the COVID-19 lockdowns, the band even built its own tour bus to help tackle a run of 100 shows across the country.  

Airlie Beach holds a special place in their heart, with the group relishing the chance to perform in front of a Whitsunday crowd and spend time near the Great Barrier Reef.

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“Really it doesn't matter who's in front of us, we'll cater our set to make sure they have the best time of their life,” said Fergus.  

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Bringing a change of pace to the evening is Mackay band Alchemunk, whose funk-inspired sound blends tight musicianship with an infectious stage presence. Expect driving basslines, and plenty of feel-good grooves.

Kicking things off at 6pm is another Mackay based band, Founder, whose relaxed indie sound provides the perfect start to the evening. The four-piece band is known for catchy melodies, with a knack for leaving first-time listeners wanting to hear more long after the final song.  

Completing the lineup is Townsville singer-songwriter Chris Baker, a seasoned performer with nearly two decades of experience at venues and festivals across Australia.

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Drawing inspiration from artists including the Eagles, AC/DC, Metallica and Guns N' Roses, Baker blends rock, blues, country, indie, funk and soul into a versatile performance. Over the years, he has shared the stage with Pete Murray, You Am I, Clint Boge and Phil Emmanuel, performing both as a solo artist and with his band.

Fans won't have to call it a night when Beach Music wraps up, with the Chris Baker Band keeping the festival atmosphere alive at Paddy's Shenanigans at the official after-party, giving revellers one more chance to dance well into the night.

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Adding a new element to this year's event, aerial performer Kara Enigma will wow audiences with two performances across the evening.

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The Whitsunday Foodservice Eat Street will return alongside the popular Reef Bar, which will keep drinks flowing from its foreshore location. Playing on Friday night on the main stage will be local youth band Category 5, four-piece outfit that has become a familiar face on the Whitsundays live music scene.

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Featuring Amber Hinschen, Declan Davy, Liam O'Neill and Ava Buckley, the band has spent the past four-and-a-half years performing at festivals, community events and venues across the region, with this being there fourth time performing at the Great Barrier Reef Festival.  

“It just feels like home, we love performing for the locals here and bringing more to the music scene in Airlie,” said Amber.  

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The Young Whitsundays Got Talent 2024 and Fast Track Talent Quest 2025 Winners mix a playlist of indie rock, rock and pop covers to give festivalgoers a chill and up-beat drink.

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