Bleach Festival 2018 is Better than Ever

The Gold Coast’s largest arts and cultural festival, Bleach Festival, is returning in 2018 with a difference. This year, the playful, genre-defying and always entertaining arts extravaganza will team up with the aptly named, Festival 2018, the cultural side of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The 32-event festival will encompass a wide range of gigs, happenings and experiences, from beachside concerts to gallery exhibitions and in-depth chats.

With the Commonwealth Games in town there will be an influx of people and athletes on the Goldy, so organisers are expecting the biggest Bleach Festival to date. We’ve listed our top picks from the eclectic line-up of acclaimed dance and performance groups, international and local musicians and Indigenous artists.

Born in a Taxi

It’s hard to understand how this theatrical/dance/comedy/performance works until you see it in person. Born in a Taxi is a witty and very much engaging performance from a Melbourne troupe known for highly original and physically-driven theatre productions.

Emily Wurramara

A consistent name on the underground festival circuit, Emily Wurramara sings songs in both English and Anindilyakwa, the traditional language of her homeland, Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory. 

Ted Grambeau

Surfers, bodyboarders and anyone interested in the ocean in its rawest form will have heard of Ted Grambeau. Sea Level – The Art of Awareness is a personal photographic journey documenting the water-based snaps he’s been capturing over the last 40-years.

Electrik Lemonade

A whirlwind of good vibe funk, hip-hop, blues, soul and dance music. If that sounds like your cup of tea, then Electrik Lemonade is here to quench your thirsty ears.

Ella Fence

Local songwriter/performer, Ella Fence, has toured USA, Berlin, France, England, Canada and Norway over the last couple of years, but always has time for her hometown. Her sound has hints of Lana Del Ray and Sarah Blasko, but is undeniably original.

Bleach* Festival will take place 29 March – 15 April at various locations around the city.

words by niall roeder