This was published 6 years ago
The world's top 10 music tribute festivals: Elvis, the Beatles, David Bowie and more
Tribute festivals for bands and musicians can be colourful, entertaining, fun-filled events, even for the non-fanatic.
1.ELVIS FESTIVAL – PARKES, NSW
After four days at an Elvis Festival you will certainly know not to call those jump-suited, hip-swinging men "Elvis impersonators". They are ETAs (Elvis Tribute Artists) and their collective noun is "Elvii". The festival in the Central West town of Parkes is a hoot, and while fans naturally go nuts over it, non-fanatics cannot help but be swept up by the energy of the non-stop entertainment and the friendly townsfolk. There is free entertainment in Cook Park and the eight local pubs and clubs, as well as ticketed events by performers who travel the Elvis circuit. The 2018 theme is the "1968 Comeback" commemorating the event 50 years ago when The King took to the stage in his black leathers to mark his return to performing after years of making cheesy movies. Highlights are the fantastic street parade lead by the popular, in-costume Mayor Ken Keith, the Sunday morning gospel service and wedding vow renewals. The downside is the heatwave conditions – temperatures can hit the low 40s so leave the leathers at home. January 10-14, 2018, see parkeselvisfestival.com.au
2.ELVIS CRUISE – NEW CALEDONIA
If it is literally too hot in Parkes, then consider a cruise to the South Pacific, complete with 24 ETAs and rock acts (also channelling Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison). Book a berth on the CruiseNGroove, a seven-night sailing from Sydney departing November 6. Stars of Parkes, such as US artist Jack Rowley, will be on board, while Blue Hawaii and Viva Las Vegas parties are all part of the fun aboard the ship Radiance of the Seas. November 6-13, 2018, see cruisengroove.com.au/2018/
3.DUBLIN BOWIE FESTIVAL – DUBLIN, IRELAND
Credit: ANNE KEELING
Dubliners honour David Bowie at this week-long event that commemorates not only his birthday on January 8 (same day as Elvis') but his death two years ago on January 10. Acclaimed tribute act Rebel Rebel is on the bill while speakers in 2018 include Woody Woodmansey, the only surviving member of the Spiders from Mars tour band. The Bowie Ball, where the dress-to-impress code includes space boots, and Bowie Raw – an intimate acoustic show – are hot tickets. January, 2019, see dublinbowiefestival.ie
4.ABBA FESTIVAL – TRUNDLE, NSW
If Parkes can celebrate Elvis, then country cousin Trundle, 62 kilometres away, can surely pull in the crowds at its own gig – so thought two Trundle residents who put the event on the map six years ago. Headlining next year's event is Bjorn Again, the successful parody act that began in Melbourne in 1988 and has been touring the globe ever since. Also on the bill is ABBA-Solutely Fabulous, a show by Aussie songstresses Rhonda Burchmore and Lara Mulcahy. May 4-5, 2018, see trundleabbafestival.com.au
5. THE LONDON BEATLES FESTIVAL – ONTARIO, CANADA
You would be forgiven for thinking this Fab Four tribute takes places in England. But no, it's London, Ontario, a city with a population of 383,000, about 200 kilometres from Toronto. In its infancy, the festival is a weekend event of tribute bands and acts dedicated to single band members, such as Dear John, a John Lennon show and Bangladesh, dedicated to George Harrison. Beyond the bands there are speakers, authors and documentary producers with strong links to the group. Every Beatle nuance is milked; you will be bopping along at the Abbey Road Street Stage, the Sgt Peppers Listening Room and the Octopus's Beer Garden. Mid-September, 2018, see londonbeatlesfestival.com
6.INTERNATIONAL BEATLES WEEK – LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND
Credit: Stuart Homer
This is the Holy Grail for Beatles fans – a full week of tribute acts, a convention with speakers including Patti Boyd (George Harrison's first wife and later wife of Eric Clapton), vinyl by the crate-load and a party to celebrate what would have been Harrison's 75th birthday on August 24. Performance venues include the famous Cavern Club in Mathew Street, the heritage-listed Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and the Alma de Cuba, the former St Peter's Catholic Church, now a swanky restaurant and bar. August 22-28, 2018, see internationalbeatleweek.com
7.RORY GALLAGHER FESTIVAL – BALLYSHANNON, IRELAND
Ten thousand fans flock to this tribute festival to honour Irish blues and rock multi-instrumentalist voted Melody Maker's Top Guitarist of the Year in 1971. A series of free street concerts and ticketed events for big-name blues bands take over Ballyshannon, where Gallagher was born in 1948. There is also a chance to visit the Rory Gallagher museum/exhibition and check out his statue, unveiled in 2010. Established in 2002, the festival offers guitar workshops, and of course there is camping in true festival style. Ballyshannon is on a stretch of Donegal coastline known as the Wild Atlantic Way. May 31 – June 2, 2018, see rorygallagherfestival.com
8. DULUTH DYLAN FESTIVAL – DULUTH, MINNESOTA
Bob Dylan, as every die-hard fan knows, was born in Duluth, Minnesota, on May 24, 1941. A port town on the shores of Lake Superior, Duluth has made much of its favourite son, establishing a Bob Dylan Way – a signposted 2½-kilometre road that winds through the downtown area – and has released a compilation of Dylan songs by local artists, titled Duluth Does Dylan. Tribute bands will take to the stage at the festival, which coincides with Bob's birthday. It also draws many "Dylanologist" guest speakers, while a ride on the Blood on the Tracks festival train (complete with music) heads along the north shore to Hibbing, where Dylan's family moved when he was six. May 19-27, 2018, see bobdylanway.com
9. KISS KRUISE VIII – CARIBBEAN
If rocking out with 2400 face-painted, leather-clad, tattooed passengers for a week around the Caribbean equals nirvana, then the eighth annual KISS cruise is just the ticket. Relax, not all passengers will be in costume every minute of every day, but they will frock up for the lookalike contests, the KISS wedding vow renewals and the big Halloween party. Unlike other tribute cruises, this one is the real deal and KISS will actually be on board, hold several concerts and lead some crazy activities. Expect high-voltage fun (yep, they have been known to play a bit of AC/DC around the pool) as the Kiss Navy "Rock and Roll All Nite" and "Shout it Out Loud." October 31 – November 5, 2018, see thekisskruise.com
10. ULTIMATE TRIBUTE FESTIVAL – TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT
Not wedded to any particular artist or band? Love all pop and rock? Then head to the Ultimate Tribute Festival, where 60 tribute acts strut their stuff over a summer's weekend in southern England. Artists recreate the Beatles, ABBA, Bob Marley, Bon Jovi, Amy Winehouse, Tom Jones, Pink Floyd and even our own Kylie on two stages in a 200-hectare lake-side expanse in Tunbridge Wells, an otherwise sleepy town about an hour by train south of London. June 22-24, 2018, see theultimatetributefest.co.uk
The writer was a guest of the 2017 Elvis Parkes Festival.
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