In the US, every year thousands of Elvis fans make the pilgrimage to Memphis, Tennessee to celebrate and commemorate Elvis Presley. In Australia? Fans head to a little country town called Parkes. Sitting 350km west of Sydney, Parkes is a regional town that explodes into life each January in a celebration of all things Presley, with the world renowned Parkes Elvis Festival. And just like Elvis, the festival has emerged from humble beginnings (just 195 attendees back in 1993) to become a superstar. In 2022 almost 24,000 people from across the country (and a few from across the globe) headed into town to celebrate the man they call The King. Now that’s something.
The Parkes Elvis Festival is a festival of allsorts. It’s has a more serious side, yes – there’s the performers, the international guests, the exhibitions, and all the sights and sounds – but there’s also a fun side too. In true Aussie spirit, anyone who wants to give it a go, is welcome to come along and join in, in whatever capacity they see fit. Enter a look-alike competition, dress up and dance the hours away, or just turn up and cheer along – the Parkes festival is all inclusive and all accepting, and it’s one of the things that makes this festival unique. There ain’t nowhere else in the world you can see Elvis heading down main street in a jumpsuit and thongs. Blue suede shoes? Nah. Slap on some thongs, she’ll be right mate. It’s the Aussie way – we don’t take ourselves too seriously, and on many counts, neither does this festival. It’s all about having fun with all things Elvis – and for many people that’s a huge drawcard. As one person admitted to me, “I’m a fan of the fans”. And why not? There’s plenty to love!
So here I am in Parkes. I begin by walking the main street. It’s thirty something degrees, and man, it’s hot. Each year the festival embraces a different theme, and in 2023 it’s Presley’s 1961 hit movie ‘Blue Hawaii’. Every storefront is decorated to match the occasion with leis and grass skirts aplenty. And every few hundred metres, another singer is belting it out for the busking competition. Local Jay Berthey is only seven years old but he’s got all the words (and the moves) to ‘Suspicious Minds’ down pat. “It ain’t over yet”, he tells the crowd of onlookers, as the song slows down towards the end and the applause starts. He knows his stuff! I’m impressed. Cowra teen trio ‘Plus One’ are also impressive. A tight little three piece, they are polished beyond their years and rock it out with a confidence that I’m sure will see them go far.
There’s plenty of free entertainment on the main stage in Cooke Park, but for many the biggest drawcard are the overseas tribute artists who feature in a series of concerts across the five day festival. My first feature show is Thursday night’s ‘A-Z of Elvis’ featuring US headliners Dean Z and Victor Trevino Jr. The show is a different take on your average tribute show, with the artists running through a catalogue of Elvis songs from A-Z. The idea is a novel one, and it works. Incredibly enough, there is just about an Elvis song for every letter of the alphabet, and where there isn’t a suitable song? They find a substitute. For example, ‘Zee Zee Rider’ instead of ‘CC Rider’. It’s a blast.
Dean Z is world-renowned for being an absolute powerhouse of energy onstage, and Victor Trevino Jr has a matching vibe. Together, they are unstoppable, with incredible chemistry and a fantastic rapport. The capacity crowd go nuts from the minute they hit the stage and every song is a winner. “Perhaps we’ll come back next year and make this show an A-Z bingo,” Dean tells the audience, who are having a ton of fun trying to guess which song comes next. The letter Q though, has a few of them stumped. As Dean Z launches into possibly one of the worst Elvis movie songs ever recorded (but the only one beginning with the letter Q), ‘Queenie Wahine’s Papaya’ from the movie ‘Paradise Hawaiian Style’, he apologies in advance for most likely putting the catchy tune into the audience’s heads for the remainder of the night. And the song should be a dud, but Dean doesn’t play it straight. He speeds the song up to an absolutely insane level at the end – and it’s unexpected and hilarious and the audience are absolutely loving it. That’s the genius of Dean Z. He’s an entertainer through and through – give him anything to work with and he’ll make it shine. The A-Z show is a winner on every count.
It’s true that Parkes is a festival in every sense of the word – there’s entertainment for every taste and budget, there’s market stalls and exhibitions, there’s competitions, there’s car shows – and more, and my schedule is full. I’m going to need some serious sustenance. On my second morning, I wander into an old-school cafe across the road from the park, and grab a coffee and a bacon and egg roll to go. It’s damn fine coffee and I’m happy. Cooke Park, which sits down at the end of lonely street…sorry main street, is the heart and soul of the festival. Adjoining the two main venues (the Parkes Leagues and Parkes Services clubs), it’s easily accessible and is the go-to for food, and free entertainment, which continues throughout the day on the main stage. One of the standouts is Queenslander Brody Finlay, a relative newcomer to the Elvis tribute scene who has represented Australia twice in the UETA competition. He effortlessly brings nineteen fifties Presley alive, and just like Elvis, he owns the stage and gets the crowd a jumpin’ and jivin’. His voice is quite remarkable for someone so young and the crowd adore him.
I attend more shows during my three days in Parkes than I normally would in a month – everything from Mark Andrew’s long-established ‘Elvis Leaves His Mark’ show, to Damien Mullin at Parkes Leagues each night after the headliner show, to ‘The King and Cash’ featuring Perth-based Stuey V as the King of Rock, together with Melbourne duo Mark and Joanne Calgeri, as Johnny Cash and June Carter. I also try to catch as many acts on the main stage as I can, including international performer Di Diogo Light, who doesn’t disappoint. It’s non-stop but I’m not complaining, after all, it’s what I’m here for!
My favourite show of the festival though, is Friday night’s ‘Elvis Reimagined’ by newly crowned Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist champion, Victor Trevino Jr. Victor has built a strong reputation as an acclaimed international ETA thanks to the American Trilogy show, which toured Australia regularly for a number of years, with Vic doing a superb job as the 1950’s Elvis. Now he’s headlining at Parkes following his recent UETA win. Along with a couple of shows with Dean Z, he brings to the festival his own show, ‘Elvis Reimagined’; a project borne of his love not only for Elvis, but for music in general. ‘Elvis Reimagined’, as the title suggests, is an Elvis show with a unique spin. The first half is for the traditionalists – the Vic as Elvis that we know and love, and as expected, Vic delivers the goods and then some. After a brief intermission comes the second half, and oh what a second half it is. This is Vic meets Elvis, as opposed to Vic as Elvis – it’s Presley and Trevino intertwined with Vic performing an eclectic bunch of Elvis Presley songs, as himself, and it’s a rock journey that not only reimagines Elvis with new arrangements of his songs, but one that morphs them into a whole other dimension. And it works. Suddenly it’s Elvis, fresh and new once again. This is Elvis unexpected – we just don’t know what’s coming next – not what song or how it will sound or what kind of stage antic Trevino might throw in – because he goes nuts all over the stage – throwing himself onto the ground and skidding on his knees down the catwalk, all the while bringing on song after song in his own unique style. It’s country, it’s reggae, it’s hard rock with a hint of punk. And this is the very essence of Elvis Presley. Elvis shook things up. He was a rebel who did his own thing. This is what Elvis was all about and with this show, Vic Trevino has found that very spirit and bought it back to us, and how! Sometimes it’s a shock to hear a song we know well performed in a totally different way, but other times it’s like, of course ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ works as a reggae-inspired tune and how did we not see that? Nothing is forced, it all fits perfectly and Vic’s vocals, energy, and rock style suit the show down to the ground. By the end of the second set, the crowd are not only on their feet but rushed to the front of the stage. It’s no longer a show – now it’s a true rock concert. This is real rock ‘n roll, the way Presley inspired it in the beginning. This is what Elvis Presley live was all about. Vic gets it and he delivers. A-men!
On Saturday morning the vibe has changed yet again. Everyone’s up early and heading into main street to try and score a decent spot for the annual festival parade, where anything and everything goes. From classy to crass, it’s all happening – each float a unique interpretation and celebration of the Presley phenomenon. This year’s Hawaiian theme is definitely showcased: there’s classic cars adorned with colourful leis, walking inflatable pink flamingos, a recreation of the Blue Hawaii wedding scene, marching bands, jumpsuits galore, and so much more. It’s a fun and fascinating festival feature that never fails to please.
On my final night at the festival I decide to attend Jack Gatto’s recreation of the Aloha From Hawaii concert on the main stage in the park (even though it means I’ll miss out on Dean Z’s highly acclaimed show ‘The Rocker’ – but this is the paradox of Parkes – you just can’t be everywhere at once)! Jack is a seasoned Elvis performer, having earned his place as a respected ETA over the course of almost 9 years, so we know what to expect – he’s good. But tonight the pressure’s on. Watching from the side of the stage is festival special guest, Charles Stone, who worked as Elvis’ Tour Manager back in the day – and Jack knows it. He tells the crowd that he’s pretty nervous – but he needn’t have worried. Tonight he’s playing his A game, and his performance is above and beyond. He delivers Presley straight from the soul, and the crowd of around 5,000, go absolutely nuts. This is an authentic recreation of the 1973 Aloha from Hawaii concert, and as a massive Elvis fan himself, Jack wants to get it right. At one point, Charles Stone comes on stage and tells the crowd this is as good as it gets. Jack is beyond humbled and the whole vibe of the show goes up another notch. It’s a dream come true. Then Charles comes back onstage to hand scarves over to Jack to hand out to the crowd. It’s Elvis Presley history happening right there on the stage, and we’re all living it. What an amazing night.
As I head back to Melbourne on the interstate train the following day, I realise that the Parkes Elvis Festival is a Brigadoon of sorts – a fantasy that exists in it’s own unique space, and one that comes to life only once a year. I contemplate the everyday reality that awaits me once I exit the train at Southern Cross Station. It’s kind of sobering to be honest. But although the Parkes Elvis Festival will disappear into dust for the remainder of 2023, I know it will awaken again in 2024, and hopefully, I’ll be back to see it once more.
Takin’ care of business, baby!
[Linda Memphis, January 2023]
© 2023 Linda Memphis
For more photos of the Parkes Elvis Festival, please visit our Parkes Elvis Festival photo gallery .
What a time it must have been