Summer is here and so are the Music Fests! Nothing completes the year’s festivity like these big names – and 2016 is no different. For those of you who have been living under a rock while this city is being built on rock and roll, this is your rehabilitation schedule for the year ahead.
Spanning over three days two nights of live music, parties and seminars every September, Bigsound is back for its 15th year as Australia’s premier festival of contemporary music with an impressive global collection of talents brought to the heart of Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley.
Unique in its own way, Bigsound holds a conference program during the day where internationally noteworthy keynote speakers challenge you in revolutionary topics that will structure the future of the industry. By night, this is then transformed to where the world discovers the best new Australian music, setting the pace through its atmosphere of innovation and togetherness in its unique density of live music across 15 stages, propelling its success within the global music industry calendar.
If it is anything like last year, Bigsound promises to showcase 150 of Australia’s best up and coming artists. Come and witness it first for yourself.
When: Wednesday, 7 September – Friday, 9 September 2016 8:00am
Address: Q Music, 3 Winn Street, Brisbane
Website: Here
For the sophisticated artist inside of you – Gold Coast’s very own Bleach* Festival is THE contemporary multi-arts festival in uniting music, performance arts, visual arts, outdoor events and so much more!
Set against the Gold Coast’s world famous landscape as its venue over three weekends, Bleach* Festival’s celebrations feature our best artists as well as renowned international collaborators, through a unique creativity and culture to showcase the city to local and international audiences. Their summer parties line up of music including Ben Lee (and his song writing workshop), Opera Selvaggio and The Ninth Chapter, to theatre and dance such as Shifting Sands and The Last Blast. Across 17 days and over 50 events – Make sure you check out their full program!
When: 4 March 2016 – 20 March 2016
Address: Gold Coast
Website: Here
Twelve years running and back for a jam-packed season, Laneway Festival is already creating a buzz from Singapore to Auckland and right here in Brisbane, to bring you the most vibrant upcoming and established artists from around the world.
The killer 2016 line-up has already been released, and is tuned to a pulsing blend of intelligent pop, edgy hip-hop, left-field electronica and hectic punk in fresh new tunes, including… After which, there is an official Laneway after party, featuring a bunch of Laneway acts and local favourite bands, labels and DJs – so don’t miss out!
Not only about the music, Laneway Festival establishes a philosophy to engage with the local community – so you can be sure to keep an eye out for some of your favourite designers, visual artists and also restaurants, from Phatboys Food Truck, Golden Crispy, wholesome Italian cuisine from Mangia Mangia, and Greek street food by Greek Street Grill & Kantina.
When: Saturday, 6 February
Address: Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills
Website: Here
Presenting the world’s largest under 18s festival, the seventh edition of Good Life ’16 is back and running! Taking Australia by storm with new Friday and Saturday dates at Brisbane Showgrounds to avoid shows on a school night (and lesser excuses for your parents to make), Good Life ’16 is set to be the ultimate fest zone. Think more live music than ever before with over 20 of the hottest local and international names, including rapper A$AP Rocky, pop star Havana Brown and the Geordie Shore House Party with DJ Jam, Generik and Aussie legend Will Sparks amongst the list
Not just that, you will also have the chance to meet and greet your favourite TV celebrities backstage, including Zac Roerig (as Matt Donvana from ‘The Vampire Diaries’), Samira Wiley (as Poussey Washington from ‘Orange Is the New Black’) and Sean Keenan from ‘Puberty Blues’, can it get any better??
Oh right, throw in a Theme Park, Sports Zone, Water Park and an Outdoor Cinema presented by The 5th Wave in an all-inclusive ticket, this is one music fest you don’t want to miss!
When: Friday, 19 February 2016 4:00pm – 10:00pm
Address: Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane
Website: Here
Hardly needing an introduction of its own, Stereosonic has good reason to be Australia’s biggest and fastest growing music festival. Reigning in the summer, this electronic music festival gets better every year, bringing in the best dance and music talents to Australians and over 100 new acts released.
From past record, Stereosonic’s official line-up has seen the likes of Peking Duk, Clean Bandit, Major Lazer and DJ Snake amongst its star-studded list. Returning in its usual single day schedule as it tours around Australia’s major cities, so there are lots to keep an eye out for this December. Although trust me, you’ll definitely hear about it when it’s coming.
When: Early December, 2016
Address: Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane
Website: Here
This is for those who appreciate your tunes with a side of sun, surf and soul. Presenting, the 10th annual Caloundra Music Festival set against the best beach in Queensland with its very own music festival, there is something for the whole family.
You can certainty expect it to start off with a bang in the name of fireworks and their launch party, packed with musicians, comedians and dancers to entertain! The line-up is yet to be confirmed as they are scouting bands to get in as many live gigs as possible, but looking back on their highlights with Angus & Julia Stone, Meg Mac and The Living End to name a few, it’s not hard to see why many have already booked their accommodations for this year’s festivities.
An all time favourite for all ages starting from $5 for the kids and $45 for adults – Time to get your band back together and be sure to get your dates locked in!
When: September 30 – October 3
Address: Kings Beach, Caloundra
Website: Here
For a time travel journey back to the 1950s through to 1990s, Moreton Bay Regional Council’s annual Decades Festival is the perfect celebration of this era.
Reminisce the Golden Days through live music performances, which had last year featuring Cold Chisel, The Living End and Bjorn Again. Also think pin ups, record hunting and roller skates as you explore the other events on the day, including a sideshow alley, suitcase rummage, vintage markets, carnival rides and car shows and so much more.
When: TBC
Address: TBC
Website: Here
Undoubtedly, September means Brisbane’s biggest international arts festival is on the way. Attracting over an audience of approximately one million people annually, this is where an array of music, theatre, opera, circus and the well-known fireworks, Riverfire, comes to live. Its vast program covers all art forms and non-traditional venues to grow and develop both local Australian arts while integrating performances from all over the globe on this huge event.
Bursting with artistic creativity, this year’s Brisbane Festival seeks to reach out into the community through cultural engagement and inspirational settings with programs including symphony music to Club Swizzle, theatre plays of Macbeth and the new concept of Backyard Cinema. This is an expression of Brisbane city itself at its finest that you should be proud to be a part of.
When: September 3 – September 24
Address: All areas, South Bank
Website: Here
With the vision of ‘Transforming lives through music’, Queensland Music Festival (QMF) is a statewide celebration lasting over 17 days as it seeks to bring the best of local and global talent in every musical style to engage with the Queensland community through award-winning works and artists.
Showcasing unique musical and cinematic experiences from Logan’s musical celebration ‘Under this sky’ as a world premiere production set into the banks of the landscape to Edgar Meyer with Camerata of St John’s in the city and the grand finale of ‘Symphony of the Inland Sea’ at Mount Isa. This festival is celebration of musical experiences, reaching out as a huge public participation event as no other state has.
When: Late July, 2016
Address: Various locations, Queensland
Website: Here
If you’re looking for a completely relaxing music festival, Birdsville Big Red Bash is the one. This festival aims to bring people together while appreciating everything the Australian outback has to offer. It’s for the young and old alike, for people who understand that its about the journey AND the destination!
This truly unique festival location will truly give you an experience to remember. Think dancing against a backdrop of the sunset against a vast red expanse – nothing else in Brisbane can compare to this!
When: July 4 – 6 2016
Address: Big Red Dune, Birdsville, QLD
Website: Here
Life’s too short to be serious and focused all the time. Sometimes we just gotta let loose and party at a festival. Whether it’s with our family, friends or partner, it’ll sure be a good time. We all deserve a fantastic life, so come on, book your next festival now!
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