Festival Gig Guide: Rock, pop, indie, and more

Tivoli in the Round flips the script on the classic gig. For a limited time only, Brisbane’s most iconic venue is turned inside out, with a 360° stage that puts you at the heart of the music. This is your chance to get nose-to-nose with some of Australia’s most electrifying and diverse artists across a range of genres—including Phantastic Ferniture, Odd Mob, and more.

In their electrifying back-to-back sets, Kahani and Kunal Merchant demonstrate masterful control of the dance floor through their innovative blend of organic percussion, cultural vocals, and driving rhythms. Each performance is a carefully curated journey that bridges traditional South Asian elements with modern electronic production.

This concert series under the stars will take place over seven nights in Brisbane’s spectacular Roma Street Parkland Amphitheatre and feature performances from some of the country’s finest acts, including: ICEHOUSE, Lime Cordiale, Xavier Rudd, GRINSPOON, Cut Copy, Amy Shark, James Johnston, and more!

This free country music event features powerhouse vocals, twangy guitars, and the perfect blend of contemporary and classic country goodness. Headliner Rachael Fahim opens her heart and shares her deepest truths through her songwriting. She will be joined by country favourites Midwest Molly and Brianna Dinsdale. Y’all won’t want to miss it! 

Back for its highly anticipated fourth year, the Moorooka Block Party is set to once again ignite Brisbane Festival’s Serenades program with an electrifying celebration of culture and community, including performances from ARIA award winners the Bamboos and the beloved Simba Machete and the Echoes of African Music. 

John Butler returns to Brisbane for a very intimate concert introducing his brand-new album, Prism. The record is back to the full sound of John Butler, brimming with fierce guitars, robust percussion, and meteoric choruses. John will be joined by the highly celebrated, ARIA-nominated, award-winning singer and songwriter Emma Donovan.

Nationally revered singer, songwriter, musician, and producer Sarah Blasko celebrates her 21st anniversary as an artist with a rare performance of her two seminal albums at the Tivoli Theatre this September as part of Brisbane Festival. Don’t miss your opportunity to see a career celebration of one of the most singular voices in Australian music.

Multi-platinum singer, producer, and rapper Winston Surfshirt began as a solo project. Over time, he brought together close friends and local artists to form the globally beloved project that we know today. With 200 million streams, three dreamy albums, and a killer discography, Winston Surfshirt is celebrating nearly a decade of music-making.

Vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Hannah Macklin explores themes of oneness and divinity in her newest album. Powerful messages are told through vocals, dance, and costume, including a teaching from late poet, activist, and Ndjebbana woman Alice Pearl Daiguma Eather.

English rock band Wunderhorse’s popularity has snowballed the old-fashioned way: winning fans over through visceral live performances and vivid songwriting. Rugged hooks, unfiltered noise, and fierce melodic sensitivity set the group up for a year that will see them firmly established as an endlessly addictive generational talent.