Your SPRINGTIME festival itinerary on the Gold Coast!

Posted on August 31, 2023August 31, 2023 by Mark Sutton

With a banging artist lineup to check out across 1 September – 3 September, a good plan will be your best friend when it comes to planning your SPRINGTIME experience in Surfers Paradise. So to help you squeeze as much as you can out of your three day Gold Coast festival escape, here’s our recommended festival itinerary for you!

Before the festivities begin.

The Gold Coast Music Awards will be held at Home of the Arts (HOTA) on Thursday 31 August to celebrate the city’s best talent. With plenty of our very own SPRINGTIME fam nominated for awards, tickets are on sale now for those wanting to join in on the Gold Coast’s premier music ceremony!

After the formalities, come and celebrate with a live concert after-party presented by yours truly… marking the beginning of SPRINGTIME 2023 with some epic live performances!

Day 1 Friday

If you’re joining us from interstate, flying into Gold Coast Airport is the go. You’ll be greeted by in-terminal SPRINGTIME entertainment so that the festival vibe begins from the moment you land. Then it’s just a quick drive up the coast to Surfers Paradise!

From there, N’Jaane will kick off the music from 12pm noon at the Dr Martens Street Stage to start the boogie off early. Then at 1:30pm, Quest of Chaos begins! Located right on Surfers Paradise beach, it’ll be hard to miss this brand-new interactive performance installation. Complete with obstacle courses, quirky costumes and characters, join in on the challenge to defeat King Chaos!

For the skate lovers, the Vans Skate Plaza is open to the public between 1:30PM – 4:00PM and once again at 5:00PM – 8:00PM so you can shred down the streets of Surfers Paradise. There’ll also a daily $300 Vans voucher to win, so make sure to sign up at the Vans Skate Plaza to be in the draw!

Bag Raiders will close off the Beach Stage from 9PM with a DJ set, but you can always keep the party going by heading to our Friends of SPRINGTIME venues, with late night tunes from acts like Sunday Sesh, Rum Jungle, Latour and more.

Day 2 Saturday

Start your Saturday off with some art! Take a quick stroll down the street and check out Makers Market Day, an open art exhibition brought to you by Level Up Studio, Nextdoor ARI and 3/3 Studio. Featuring paintings, sculptures, clothing and more designed by incredible local Gold Coast artists, it’s a great chance to join in on more fun and arty goodness!

You can’t have lunch without some dessert. Lucky for you, Dr. Martens will have a pop up shop along the beachfront where they’ll be handing out free ice creams with any purchase. So if you’ve been eye-ing a new pair of sandals, now’s the chance!

YEAHYEAHCHLOE and Malara Rise will also be adding in the final touches to their beautiful live murals, and if you’re looking for dinner with a show, our friends at Hyde Paradiso and Steampunk are both great spots for a solid festival feed to fill up and party the night away with Sunshine & Disco Faith Choir and BENEE!

Day 3 Sunday

We don’t blame you if you need some recovery time on Sunday morning… Head to Paradise Centre for a nice cafe brunch right by their beautiful beachfront precinct. Once the caffeine kicks in, give the DJ Workshop a spin and get the energy flowing for Day 3!

Whether you’re a skater or not, don’t miss your chance to check out Jesse Noonan, Nixen Osborne and Rome Collyer from the Vans Skate Team show off their professional tricks at the Vans Skate Plaza.

But before we get too sentimental, there’s still Eliza & The Delusionals, Babe Rainbow and the one and only Matt Corby to close out SPRINGTIME 2023.

There’s always more good times.

If you don’t want the good times to end, we get it, neither do we. For more arts and culture, extend your Gold Coast stay and explore the SWELL Sculpture Festival that starts from 8 September – 17 September.

With over 75 large scale contemporary sculptures set among the natural landscape of Currumbin Beach, the exhibition is completely free and transforms the beachfront into a world-class outdoor gallery.

To further plan out your very own festival itinerary, download the official SPRINGTIME app to see artist set times, as well as timings for Quest of Chaos, Vans Skate Plaza, DJ Workshops and more. Everything you’ll ever need to know is on there, so get planning now and we’ll see you real soon.

Spin your way into Paradise Centre during SPRINGTIME!

Posted on August 24, 2023August 25, 2023 by Mark Sutton

Make every day…

Ridiculously delicious. Outrageously spontaneous. Hideously gorgeous.

Find your vibe where fashion, food and fun pulsate. Chase trends, fuel your soul, and find endless entertainment at Paradise Centre, the beating heart of Surfers Paradise and the Official Shopping Centre for SPRINGTIME 2023!

Shop ‘til you drop, then go for a dance-off at Timezone. Feast by the beach, then challenge your mates at Zone Bowling. Score a playful new look, then hit the best bars and nightlife. Paradise Centre is the ultimate beachfront destination and your personal playground. Come for the fashion and food, stay for the never-ending fun.

Whether you’re a skater or a music lover, shop the hottest new trends, from iconic Aussie brands to international labels. Find something gorgeous that makes you feel uniquely you.

Also available this year at Paradise Centre during SPRINGTIME, come try your hand at spinning at a DJ workshop! Led by DJ Fletcher from the DJ Skool, come and learn the basics of spinning – no experience needed!

Open to all ages and located just inside the doors that lead out to Paradise Centre’s gorgeous beachfront precinct, the 30 minute workshops will run throughout each day of the festival, giving you the chance to test out how to use the equipment and to experience first hand the fun in mixing music!

With a new workshop running every 45 minutes from 12pm noon each day until 5:15pm, no bookings are required! Simply visit the DJ Skool team at Paradise Centre during SPRINGTIME to get the music started!

Whether you’re here for a quick shopping trip, a day-long family adventure, or a spontaneous evening with friends, you’ll find everything you never knew you needed in Paradise.

Come let your hair down and have some fun. Experience Paradise Centre for yourself.

Your Surfers Paradise to do list!

Posted on August 18, 2023August 18, 2023 by Mark Sutton

Surfers Paradise, the iconic precinct of the Gold Coast and the home for SPRINGTIME from 1 – 3 September, 2023!

If you’re wondering what else to do in Surfers Paradise apart from catching sets from Matt Corby, BENEE, Bag Raiders (DJ Set) plus many more, then keep reading! This list will take you all over so you can get the complete ‘Surfers’ experience.

KEEN FOR A SHOP?

If you’re still looking for a festival fit, stress less. There’s plenty of clothing stores and op shops where you can find the perfect spring outfit.

For a quick fashion win, our friends at Paradise Centre are the Official Shopping Centre for SPRINGTIME this year, complete with everything you’ll need for your SPRINGTIME adventures. But if you’re down to do some digging, there’s a few op shops that are the perfect spot for you to spend some time and find that unique vintage piece you didn’t know your life needed.

CAFE HOPPING IS OUR PASSION.

Start each day of SPRINGTIME off right with a good cup of coffee. There’s plenty of incredible cafes amongst Surfers, so be sure to have a wander. Our hot tip, take a turn down some side streets for hidden coffee gems!

There’s also plenty of bubble tea shops, ice cream parlours, frozen yoghurt – you name it, Surfers has got it. Once you’ve got your sweet treat, take it down to the beach and soak up some vitamin D and breathe in that fresh ocean air, because is there anything else better than that?

AN AVIATION SHOW... IN SURFERS PARADISE?

If you happen to be near the Gold Coast on 18 – 20 August 2023, you don’t want to miss this. The Pacific Airshow is coming to Australia for the first time ever, with the best civilian performers and military aviators flying right across the Surfers Paradise beachfront. The only other place in the world where the airshow takes places is at Huntington Beach, California, so this is a spectacle not to be missed!

WANT TO GET COMPETITIVE?

During SPRINGTIME, the beachfront of Surfers Paradise will be transformed into Quest of Chaos, a brand new interactive performance installation by Shock Therapy Arts that’ll be one part live action video game, and one part retro art installation!

There’s also one of Australia’s biggest arcades in Paradise Centre, as well as bowling and mini golf so you won’t ever be bored!

THERE'S EVEN MORE MUSIC!

Presented by yours truly, the Gold Coast Music Awards (GCMA) offers even more incredible music and shines a line on some of the city’s best in music!

The awards will be held on Thursday 31 August this year, and will feature a live concert after party to officially kick off SPRINGTIME 2023. Tickets to the GCMAs are on sale now, so hop to it!

With so much to do and see, there’s got to be plenty of accommodation as well. Secure a room for SPRINGTIME now to enjoy all that Surfers Paradise has to offer. Better yet, extend your stay so you can explore more of the Gold Coast as well! We’ve got a list of more free things you can check out on the Gold Coast here.

Explore these venues at SPRINGTIME!

Posted on August 15, 2023August 15, 2023 by Mark Sutton

A music festival by the beach, in a bustling dining, shopping and music precinct, is there anything SPRINGTIME doesn’t have? No, not really!

From a stage right on the beach to a Vans Skate Plaza and a massive Arts Program that includes live murals and an all new interactive performance installation, SPRINGTIME is unlike any other festival you’ve experienced before. Plus, did we mention that it’s all free?

If there wasn’t enough on your itinerary already, we’ve made a few good friends around Surfers Paradise too who are just as keen to make your SPRINGTIME one to remember. Check them out below!

ELSEWHERE

Located up a now iconic hidden staircase, elsewhere is an unrivalled platform for emerging artists and has always been more than a bar.

A space to celebrate arts, music and escapism, enjoy DJ sets from your faves like Latour, Giv, Sunshine from Sunshine & Disco Faith Choir plus more!

HAVANA RNB NIGHTCLUB

We don’t know about you, but hip hop and R&B has never not gotten us off our feet! If you’re keen for some beats, Havana has you covered. More than a nightclub, it’s a culture.

HYDE PARADISO

Enjoy uninterrupted ocean views of the Surfers Paradise beach when visiting Hyde Paradiso, a European summer-themed oasis nestled above the crowds of Surfers Paradise. Indulge in over-sized cocktails, mouth-watering Mediterranean-inspired food, Instagram-worthy decor and live DJ sets from Charlie Sky, Big Fuzz, Just Jessie ft. Mr Smith and more.

STEAMPUNK

Step into a world of Victorian-era invention and immerse yourself in a whirlwind of cogs, gears, and steam-powered delights!

Expect the unexpected at Steampunk and enjoy live performances from India Dupriez, Sunday Sesh, Rum Jungle, Austin Mackay and more!

TEMPO

From early hours tech-house to techno, TEMPO is the latest underground experience on the Gold Coast. Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, it’s the perfect spot for when the vibes are high and you want to keep the good times going!

In between catching set from our incredible lineup at the Beach Stage and Dr. Martens Street Stage, make sure to take a little wander through the side streets of Surfers Paradise to find these mates of ours!

For more information on each venue and set times of in-venue performances, download the official SPRINGTIME app or see our 2023 set list here!

We’re turning Surfers Paradise into Skaters Paradise!

Posted on August 3, 2023August 7, 2023 by Mark Sutton

Only at SPRINGTIME can you find a skate plaza that has golden beaches and live music as your backdrop! Returning to the streets of Surfers Paradise from 1 – 3 September 2023, SPRINGTIME is bringing back the Vans Skate Plaza for the ultimate skate experience!

The custom-built Vans Skate Plaza is set right on the beachfront of Surfers Paradise throughout the three-day festival. Free and open to the public, all experienced skaters are welcome to bring their boards along and wear their most comfortable pair of Vans to have a skate in the plaza.

If you’re less of a skater and more of an appreciator, no stress! We’re stoked to announce that professional skaters from the Vans Skate Team will be showcasing their skills to the festival crowd each day, get to know them below!

JESSE NOONAN

Leading the charge, Jesse Noonan is the life of the party and a VANS team rider vet. Known for his incredibly trick heavy runs and his fast and fearless approach to his lines, Jesse charges hard at every aspect of skating, making every contest, video, road trip or demo an experience.

NIXEN OSBORNE

Nixen Osborne has a unique approach to skateboarding that blazes its own path. With hard-charging lines mixed with precision, his high energy personality and penchant for stepping into spots few others would makes him a crowd favourite.

ROME COLLYER

Rome might be the youngest of the bunch, but what he lacks in years he makes up for in precision. Known for his clean style and smooth execution of technical manoeuvres, Rome’s trick combinations are on par with the tour veterans.

With daily professional demos at the Vans Skate Plaza, a massive Arts Program and of course FREE live performances from artist such as Matt Corby, BENEE, Bag Raiders (DJ Set) and more, the music truly is just the beginning at SPRINGTIME.

Make sure to check out the full festival program now to see all that’s on offer for the festival!

Get to know YEAHYEAHCHLOE & Malara Rise!

Posted on July 20, 2023July 20, 2023 by Mark Sutton

In case you missed it, the incredible lineup of artists is just the beginning when it comes to SPRINGTIME!

From the beautiful Surfers Paradise location to the various other free activities you can get up to on the Gold Coast, it’s going to be an epic three days that celebrates all the good vibes of Spring!

And with Spring, comes a pop of colour from three talented artists who’ll be bringing their unique vision to SPRINGTIME with their live murals. Keep reading below and get to know more about YEAHYEAHCHLOE and the twin sister duo Malara Rise!

YEAHYEAHCHLOE

Born in South Korea and raised in Australia, YEAHYEAHCHLOE’s signature aesthetic explores how we are all intimately entwined with the objects around us and how it connects us all. With the use of clean lines and flat colours, it not only makes for a super-satisfying artistic process to witness, but also takes us all back to our cartoon days. Who doesn’t love a bit of nostalgia?

Having done collaborations with Gucci, Google, Twix, Nike and various galleries around the world, YEAHYEAHCHLOE is constantly playing with the space between digital and physical, through paintings, sculptures and installations.

A few of your pieces all have food elements, how did that come to be one of your signature aesthetics?

Partly because I love food, it’s a large part of my life. But, I also have so many associations between food, memories, people and feelings. It’s this great thing that can be so personal but also so shared. Something that can be just for yourself or this thing that can connect you to friends and family, and can even span between strangers too.

What has been the coolest collaboration you’ve done so far and what is something you hope to do in the future?

This is going to sound like a ‘I love all my children the same’ kind of answer – but I don’t think I have an absolute favourite. I feel very lucky because the ones I have done tick off things on my ‘dream collab’ list in lots of different ways. In the future I would love to do more big immersive installation kind of stuff, so collaborating with people that can make that happen is high on the list.

Which artist are you most excited to see at SPRINGTIME?

I think Matt Corby. I don’t think I ever really recovered from his cover of Damien Rice’s ‘The Blower’s Daughter’ in 2007 on Idol.

Can you give us a hint on what we can expect from your mural?

Juicy spring fun times!

What is a good time for you?

At the moment anytime I am in bed by 8:30 is a pretty good time, but apart from that I would say it probably involves friends, family and good food.

MALARA RISE

Twin sisters Stefanie and Britney are the tellers of stories. Whether that be a guiding message of the feminine nature or on their relationships with Mother Earth, together as Malara Rise, the sisters create art that promotes healing, both culturally and spiritually.

Their creativity plays with their connections to their childhood growing up on Yuggera – Minjungbal – Nyangbul – Ugarapul land, where they use natural fibres of sand and paperpark within their art to bring forth the energy of the ancient ones.

Your name Malara Rise means People Rise, how do you want people to feel then they see your art?

We want people to feel the importance of First Nation culture and connection. We want them to feel the heart, beauty and sacredness of our people. We want them to feel that they can rise with us and us with them.

Has there been a favourite piece of art you’ve created so far that has meant a lot to you and your journey to connecting with your culture?

Yes. A three piece collection consisting of a solo piece each “Bugalah & Bugalma” and a collaborated piece “Jarung”. They were the first big pieces we both had done incorporating the natural fibres of sand, paperbark and pandanas. There are many factors that make these paintings special and mean a lot to our journey. They were a part of a project involving flying to Darwin for the Aboriginal Art Fair alongside two mentors of ours, who kindly guided us through bringing to life the three pieces.

Can you give us a hint on what we can expect from your mural?

Native plants/flower and colours you regularly see here on Kombumerri Country.

What is a good time for you both?

Having fun is about enjoying the moment and dancing to tunes that your souls sings with. Also about coming back to the heart with joy and love. – Britney

A good time is when a song/artist that I love is playing when I walk into a cafe/shop/store. The alignment is unlike any other. A good time is also feeling my connection with nature, whether that’s the pearlescent ocean, the ancient trees, the setting sky or birds flying above. To add to that I’d also say spending time with community/mob. – Stefanie

Feeling all artsy and cultured after getting to know YEAHYEAHCHLOE and Malara Rise? Excellent.

If you’re making your way to Surfers Paradise this 1 – 3 September 2023, it won’t be easy to miss the two beautiful murals that will be painted live throughout the three day festival!

Watch as their artwork come to life and click below to discover more about the SPRINGTIME Arts Program!

Free things to do on the Gold Coast!

Posted on June 30, 2023June 29, 2023 by Mark Sutton

There’s not many things without a price tag these days, which means some free live music is not only appreciated, but very much needed. And in case we don’t repeat it enough already, SPRINGTIME is a 100% FREE festival held at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast!

With no tickets needed, you can come see Matt Corby, BENEE, Bag Raiders (DJ Set), Babe Rainbow and more perform for FREE right on the Surfers Paradise beachfront! How good is that?!

And the music is just the start. With the festival set right in the heart of the Gold Coast, there’s plenty more activities for you to explore for free between artist sets. Or better yet, come a few days early or stay back to make sure you’ve got plenty of time to explore all the GC has to offer!

GET IN, WE’RE GOING BEACH HOPPING.

This one should be a given, because you’re on the Gold Coast! With an endless coastline that stretches for over 70KMs, we’re sure you’ll find your little piece of heaven.

If you’re keen for a surf, head down south to Kirra/Coolangatta area. A favourite surf spot for the locals nearby is Rainbow Bay, which has bigger and longer waves for experienced surfers. Fun fact for Babe Rainbow lovers, this beautiful spot is how the band got their name!

For more serene waters, Currumbin Creek and Tallebudgera Creek is the perfect place to keep the tan up and just relax into the golden warm sands. And if you don’t want to venture too far away, you can always just stay at Surfers Paradise beach and catch all the amazing artists who’ll be performing right on the beach.

CHECK OUT SOME ART!

Just a ferry away from SPRINGTIME is the Gold Coast’s Home of the Arts (HOTA). Bright, colourful and unmissable, the gallery building itself is an art piece, with the architecture design taking inspiration from a voronoi diagram, which are geometric shapes found throughout nature in various patterns like animal skin and bubbles.

Just as beautiful inside as it is on the outside, the HOTA Gallery hosts various paintings, photographs, ceramics and more from artists far and wide. Check out the various free exhibitions to soak up all the amazing arts and culture the Gold Coast has to offer!

There’ll also be plenty of art at SPRINGTIME, including live mural paintings from artists YEAHYEAHCHLOE and Malara Rise, as well as a brand new participatory performance installation called Quest of Chaos that you won’t want to miss!

WHO DOESN’T LOVE A GOOD MARKET?

The Gold Coast is blessed with great sunshine, chill vibes and lots and lots of markets.

From food markets to arts and craft markets, you name it, there’ll be a market for it. If you like to treat yourself to some gourmet goodies, definitely check out the Sunday HOTA markets, Miami Marketta and The Sanctuary Markets at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – all free to enter and open during the weekend!

For that clean girl, organic aesthetic, the Burleigh Farmers Market and the Gold Coast Organic Farmers Markets in Mermaid Waters will have plenty of fresh fruit and veg straight from local farms. As for the arts and craft enthusiasts, The Village Markets in Burleigh has plenty of new and vintage treasures from local start-up businesses.

And if you want a bit of everything, Carrara Markets has got the best of all worlds! You can check out a comprehensive list of all the Gold Coast markets here.

If you weren’t already planning your trip to the Gold Coast for SPRINGTIME this September, now’s the time! Check out our full artist lineup and arts program to see all the incredible talent who’ll be gracing the festival from 1 – 3 September. See you soon!

Massive Arts Program announced for SPRINGTIME 2023!

Posted on June 20, 2023June 20, 2023 by Mark Sutton

A massive interactive art installation is set to land at Surfers Paradise for SPRINGTIME this 1 – 3 September!

After dropping a huge, FREE artist lineup in April that featured the likes of Matt Corby, BENEE, Bag Raiders (DJ Set), Babe Rainbow and heaps more, we’re now also adding a one-of-a-kind Arts Program. Because you can never have too much free entertainment right?!

From Shock Therapy Arts, the brains behind the paint splattered hit ‘The Cleaners’ seen at SPRINGTIME 2022 comes Quest of Chaos.

A totally new participatory performance installation that’s one part obstacle course, one part live action video game, and one part retro art installation, the Surfers Paradise beachfront will be transformed like you’ve never seen before!

Who would’ve thought you’d see an obstacle course at a music festival? Taking inspiration from Japanese game shows like Takeshi’s Castle, and retro video games like Super Mario, players will get to put their physical and mental skills to the test as they attempt to defeat King Chaos and his gang of interdimensional troublemakers. Who’s in?

Also joining in on the fun are artists YEAHYEAHCHLOE and Malara Rise, who’ll be adding some gorgeous Spring colours to Surfers Paradise with their live murals.

Born in Daegu, South Korea and raised in regional NSW, YEAHYEAHCHLOE’s signature 90s aesthetic has led to eye-catching works for everyone to enjoy, including the likes of Gucci, Google, Twix and Nike.

Twin sisters Britney & Stefanie Noffke of Malara Rise will also be bringing their unique artistic skills to SPRINGTIME.

Drawing inspiration from local flora and fauna and turning it into a style of comtemporary cultural storytelling, the sisters create art that conveys their connection to the Yuggera – Minjungbal – Nyanbul – Ugarapul land in which they grew up on.

If you haven’t already booked your accommodation, get in quick now before spaces run low! With just over two months to go, we can’t wait to say goodbye to winter and welcome in the warm vibes of Spring. The music is just the beginning at SPRINGTIME!

Artist lineup announced for SPRINGTIME 2023!

Posted on April 28, 2023April 28, 2023 by Mark Sutton

After bringing three incredible days of live music, art, entertainment and skateboarding to the iconic Surfers Paradise beachfront in 2022, SPRINGTIME is back to do it all again from 1-3 September 2023! And the best part? We’re still 100% FREE.

The full artist lineup has just been announced with each day’s headliner revealed below!

FRIDAY

From soundtracking many a sweaty night on the dance floor to sing-a-longs at some of the biggest festivals in the world, Bag Raiders are bringing their iconic tunes to SPRINGTIME for free! Turning up the heat for night one, it’s going to be nothing but good vibes with Bag Raiders.

SATURDAY

Fresh from massive performances at Coachella, Field Day and more, NZ artist BENEE will make her first appearance on the Gold Coast since selling out HOTA in early 2022. Her dreamy voices mixed with whimsical lyrical encounters is the perfect soundtrack for a Saturday night in Surfers!

SUNDAY

Hot off the heels of his first record in five years ‘Everything’s Fine’’ and a slew of sold-out tour dates around the globe, Matt Corby will be making his SPRINGTIME debut on Sunday evening, marking his only free show on his tour and putting a pin in those Sunday blues before the work week takes hold on Monday.

More than just the music, live art mural paintings will be back adding a pop of colour to the festival precinct.

The newly named Vans Skate Plaza will also turn the Surfers Paradise beachfront into a pop-up skatepark, with the Vans Skate Team putting on their own show for the festival.

And in case you missed the giant slingshot on the beachfront last year, Shock Therapy Arts, the creative minds behind ‘The Cleaners’ will return with a brand new, top secret interactive performance installation as well.

Lastly, because we love nothing more than supporting local talent. SPRINGTIME is proud to be presenting the Gold Coast Music Awards again. Nominations for the awards are open now and you can also purchase a ticket to attend the ceremony, as well as an official SPRINGTIME launch party on 31 August 2023.

Spring might still be a few months away, but it’s never too early to start planning for a good time. With no tickets going on sale, you can save your coin for a Gold Coast stay instead and enjoy all that SPRINGTIME will have to offer.

Check out accommodation early and book ahead now!

#SPRINGTIMEGC

Author: Mark Sutton