Australian singer/songwriter and The Voice finalist Michael Stangel will headline this year’s Sunset in the Park Music Festival in Port Douglas.

After over 1500 signatures were collected at the 2010 festival to help secure support for future events, the six-year-old event returns to the spectacular tropical oasis of Port Douglas' Rex Smeal Park on Saturday, October 12.

In a testament to the event’s growing popularity and development on the regional festival scene, organiser Sam Cullen confirmed North Queensland's largest stage and production facilities would showcase the region’s best talent, with the 2013 lineup featuring 10 bands over 10 hours.

Sunset’s 2013 bill features popular Port Douglas and Cairns bands, plus Australian rocker Michael Stangel. A music veteran for the past 25 years, Stangel was recently in the spotlight again as a finalist on Nine’s hit reality TV show The Voice.

On the back of his national Voice success, the Melbourne-based musician and his five-piece ensemble recorded a new album, with Stangel to treat Sunset audiences to some of these tracks, plus iconic Australian favourites.

A likely crowd pleaser, Stangel will take to the stage at 6pm, ensuring families and late arrivals can enjoy his set.

Nine Port Douglas and Cairns bands will play the Sunset stage over the 10-hour festival. Event newcomers, including Tool-inspired metal outfit Salacious (sure to raise the palm trees), and the ever-impressive, high-energy Grand Theft Audio, will join festival favourite Eddie Skiba and the Durand Line.

Mark O'Brien, co-owner and operator of Craiglie guitar retailer Cloud Nine Guitars, and his band Wizard Sleeve, will join local favourites Benny and the Clones, The Tonic, Omid Master Band, The Convictions, and Mereanna & Will to launch the day's audio feast.

Gates will open at noon on October 12, 2013.

Limited pre-sale tickets are available online and at Portfolio Production ticket outlets (Origin Expresso Cafe in Port Douglas and Goodies Cafe in Mossman).

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