Agnes Blues Roots & Rock Festival are over the moon that Ruby Mills will be performing and MC’ing at their 10th anniversary event in just a few weeks’ time.
Ruby Mills is a Queensland-based vocalist with a love for the blues. Her vocal style is strongly inspired by jazz instrumentalists and the history and sounds of soul. She has rapidly become known for her strong vocal range and confident, captivating performances.
Ruby Mills was born in Brisbane but grew up just outside of Bundaberg on a 40-acre property. Singing came naturally from a young age and at 16 she entered and won her first local talent quest in Bundaberg, which inspired a sense of belonging and a drive to sing and perform.
Mills then went on to the Top 50 of Australian Idol and started performing small gigs in her home town in a bluegrass band of local fisherman she had known since she was five years old, called Ruby and the Strolling Bones. Instruments like the banjo, mandolin and harmonica generated an exciting new sound for Ruby, one she hadn’t grown up listening to.
In 2016, Mills made it to the Top 13 of X Factor Australia, pushing boundaries while singing unfamiliar pop styles as she captured the admiring attention of judges Guy Sebastian, Adam Lambert and Iggy Azalea.
Mills’ deep, earthy voice bridges the gap between blues and soul, to folk and jazz. Her gutsy vocals mesmerise with every word as she interprets her lyrics in a way you believe she’s singing just for you, when at times she’s holding a 15,000 person crowd in the palm of her hand.
Mills has a dual Diploma in Music and Music Business and has also studied jazz vocals and saxophone improvisation at the Jazz Music Institute in Brisbane. Previous projects include the rock ‘n’ roll influenced band The Honeydrippers and singing at the Brisbane Jazz Club, which taught her to appreciate some of her now favourite artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Sam Cooke, Ruth Brown, Billie Holiday, Sharon Jones and major inspiration Etta James.
After an impromptu on-stage jam with Nicky Bomba at one of his gigs, he invited Mills to join his 32-piece band project, the Melbourne Ska Orchestra. Mills has spent two years touring with them as guest vocalist and band member, during which time the band won two Aria Awards and performed at sold out shows across the country and events such as Byron Bay Bluesfest, The Lost Lands and Gympie Muster.
Ruby has previously worked for Tasman Fighters and Fortitude Boxing singing the Australian National Anthem for the Australian Title Fights, broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo.
After losing numerous friends who suffered with their mental health, Mills’ home is in Bundaberg, for now. She’s planning an event in Wallaville to raise funds for Marcus Mission and help reduce the risk of suicide in young men.
As if she’s not busy enough, Mills is also studying to be a Teacher Aide to deliver Music Therapy, and working on two EP records of covers and original tracks. She also performs in a Wide Bay duo with friend Dan Hardy, entertaining at TEDx, ABC Wide Bay, Childers Festival, TripleM’s Carols by the Dashboard Light and numerous private functions and weddings.
Crush Magazine has described Ruby Mills as ‘a gem, with a sparkling disposition, a true breath of fresh air’. She truly is one of a kind and her star is certainly on the rise.
Don’t miss the fabulous Ruby Mills performing on the #AgnesBluesFest Discovery Stage with her acoustic ensemble from 11.45am-12.30pm on Sunday 23 February 2025. If you haven’t seen Ruby perform yet, the time is certainly now. If you have, then you won’t need convincing to see her again. Ruby will also be up on the main Marquee Stage throughout the Festival weekend, sharing the MC slots.
Book #AgnesBluesFest 2025 tickets for $184pp at www.agnesbluesandroots.com.au/tickets
Rocking out since 2008, the Agnes Blues, Roots & Rock Festival is a 3 Day Annual Event held in the Great Barrier Reef’s Sensational Deep South. Follow @AgnesBluesFest on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The Agnes Blues, Roots & Rock Festival is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar
Each and every year the #AgnesBluesFest is not only focused on delivering a fantastic live show for ticket holders, it also ensures a positive impact on the local community and environment. In 2025, profits will go directly to local community groups, including the Agnes Water SES, Discovery Coast Environment Group, local Lions Club and the annual community event established in 1992, the 1770 Festival, held every May.
