Well… The 2016 Passport To Airlie – Newcastle is done and dusted and what a wild ride it’s been, 20 amazing Bands and artists performing over 6 weeks for one spot to represent our region at the nationals at Airlie Beach Music Festival this November.
The depth of talent competing this year was off the rails, with it being the tightest finals round in the competition’s three-year history and for the second year in a row a wildcard as taken out the gong.
Winners, In Motion, took the hard road to the finals, they were second in their first heat which gave them a ‘Wildcard’ into the Semi-Finals, which they took out with joint wildcard winners The Karma Collective, putting both bands straight into the Grand Final. A big Congratulations to In Motion, all of us at Passport To Airlie – Newcastle are looking forward to supporting you in the Nationals at Airlie Beach.
In Motion (2016 Winners)
Coming a close second were, Runners up, Blues Rockers Midnight Movers with a killer set that had the dance floor full. A special mention to the other finalists as well Pap & That, Roy Rose and The Fossicks who all had the packed house rocking.
Midnight Movers (2016 Runners up)
Winner of the of the Gretsch guitar was a very happy Graham Ivin, who was at nearly all the heats, in the crowd supporting the bands.
L-R Marcus Wright (Big Apachee), Annie O’Dee (Newcastle Blues & Roots Festival, Graham Ivin (Winner), Mick Starkey (The Stag)
We would also like to say thank you to all the wonderfully talented artists that competed throughout the comp. and to Passport To Airlie’s new home The Stag & Hunter Hotel – their Crew, Management, and Sound engineer ‘Colin Abrahams’ helped make 2016 the best yet, bring on 2017!
GALLERY 2016 GRAND FINAL
