Brisbane music Archives - Fortitude Valley News

Sunnyboys Reunion In Brisbane Set For One-Off Roma Street Parkland Show

Photo Credit: Sunnyboys Fan Club/Facebook

A Sunnyboys Brisbane concert at Roma Street Parkland will bring the Australian power-pop band back for a one-off show tied to 4ZZZ’s ZED51 celebrations.

The performance is scheduled for Friday, 23 October, three years after the band’s farewell tour. It will also mark 45 years since the release of Sunnyboys’ self-titled debut album, which remains closely linked to the band’s early catalogue.

The announced line-up features founding members Jeremy Oxley, Peter Oxley and Richard Burgman. Drummer Paul Larsen will sit in for the recently retired Bil Bilson.

Sunnyboys Brisbane Concert Marks Album Milestone

Sunnyboys formed in Sydney in 1979 and became known as an Australian power-pop and garage rock band.

The group’s self-titled debut album was released in September 1981. The album includes Happy Man and Alone With You, two of the band’s most recognised songs.

The album was later listed at number 37 in the 2010 book 100 Best Australian Albums. The Brisbane show is tied to the anniversary of that release, placing the band back on stage after its 2023 farewell run.

Roma Street Parkland concert setting — *Photo Credit: Sunnyboys Fan Club/Facebook*

Roma Street Parkland Bill Brings Together Australian Acts

The Roma Street Parkland show will sit within the wider ZED51 celebrations.

The bill includes The Clouds, who are also heading out on their own singles tour. vSpy vSpy are also listed, marking the 40th anniversary of Harry’s Reasons and A.O. Mod. TV. Vers. Mick Medew and The Ursula 4 are also part of the event.

The broader ZED51 celebrations also include performances by Mudhoney, Custard, BARKAA, The Mark Of Cain, Shonen Knife, Cash Savage & The Last Drinks and I Heart Hiroshima.

Vinyl Boxset Linked To The Anniversary

Sunnyboys are also releasing a 4LP vinyl boxset connected to the anniversary of the debut album.

The collection includes the original Sunnyboys album, demos recorded before it, the 1981 remix of the band’s 1980 EP, interview material and a live performance recorded at the Governors Pleasure in Sydney in February 1981.

The boxset is scheduled for release on Friday, 23 October, through record stores and the band’s website.

Sunnyboys promotional band image — *Photo Credit: Sunnyboys Fan Club/Facebook*

Ticket Dates Set For July

Sunnyboys fan pre-sale and 4ZZZ subscriber pre-sales are scheduled to open on Wednesday, 8 July, at 10am AEST.

General tickets are scheduled to go on sale on Thursday, 9 July.

The one-off Brisbane performance links the band’s return to the anniversary of its debut album and the wider ZED51 program at Roma Street Parkland.

Published 6-July-2026

Pulp Announce First Australian Tour in 15 Years, Kicking Off in Brisbane

Photo Credit: We Love Pulp/ Instagram

Britpop’s sharpest wits, Pulp, are set to bring their subversive anthems and art-school cool to Brisbane, with their upcoming Riverstage show poised to electrify the nearby Fortitude Valley entertainment precinct.

A Long-Awaited Return

The iconic group, fronted by Jarvis Cocker, has announced its first tour of Australia and New Zealand in 15 years. The run of shows will kick off in Auckland on 21 February 2026. The band then lands in Australia for a much-anticipated performance in Brisbane on 24 February.

From there, Pulp will travel to South Australia for a special free performance as part of the Adelaide Festival on 27 February, followed by a Melbourne show at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on 3 March. The Australian leg will wrap up with two major shows at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt on 6 and 7 March.

New Songs and Classic Hits

This tour gives a new generation of fans the chance to experience the band’s revered live show, while longtime followers can finally reunite with the music. The performances will support the band’s acclaimed 2025 album, More, which is their first new collection of material in 24 years.

Audiences can expect a career-spanning set, mixing new songs with the classic hits that defined an era, including “Common People,” “Disco 200,” and “Babies.”

The Pulp Difference

While often grouped within the Britpop movement, Pulp always stood apart for its unique art-school sensibility and theatrical flair. The band rose to global fame with their 1996 album Different Class, which won them the prestigious Mercury Prize.

The album was celebrated for its irresistible fusion of social satire and disco-infused grooves, turning Cocker, with his sharp insights and sardonic take on British life, into a distinct pop culture hero.

Sydney’s Summer Celebration

The final shows in Sydney are part of the Sydney Opera House’s summer line-up. The venue’s head of contemporary music, Ben Marshall, shared his excitement for the event. He stated that the band in full flight is a sharp, subversive, and joyous experience, predicting the Forecourt shows will be unforgettable communal celebrations under the stars.

Ticket and Sale Information

For fans eager to secure their place, a presale for Pulp mailing list subscribers begins at 9:00 am on Wednesday, 5 November.

General public tickets will go on sale at 9:00 am local time on Friday, 7 November. Tickets for the Sydney Opera House performances will be $159.90, plus a booking fee.

Published Date 10-November-2025

Updated 3-Dec-2025

Fortitude Valley Celebrates Top Artists at 2025 Queensland Music Awards

Photo Credit: Queensland Music Awards/Facebook

The 2025 Queensland Music Awards took place in Fortitude Valley, where artists like Young Franco and Amy Shark took home top honours in a night full of pride.

Fortitude Valley Hosts Standout 2025 Queensland Music Awards Night

Fortitude Valley came alive as Queensland’s best and brightest in music gathered for the 2025 Queensland Music Awards at The Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane. The night spotlighted top talents across genres, drawing in artists, industry leaders and music lovers from all over the state.

Held on 25 March, the event was organised by QMusic and highlighted the depth of talent in the Queensland music scene—from emerging names to established stars.

Big Wins and Local Pride

Young Franco led the night with two major wins. His track Wake Up featuring Master Peace earned Song of the Year, which means it will be honoured with a plaque in Brunswick Street Mall. He also took home the Export Award for his global success.

*Photo Credit: Queensland Music Awards/Facebook*

Amy Shark picked up Highest Selling Single for Beautiful Eyes and Highest Selling Album for Sunday Sadness. Both achievements underline her strong fanbase and commercial reach.

Country music veteran Troy Cassar-Daley won Album of the Year for Between the Fires, recorded at his late mother’s home. This marked the first time the award was publicly voted. His daughter Jem Cassar-Daley earned the Indigenous Award for her track Big Container, making it a family milestone.

More Community Achievements

The Big Pineapple Festival was awarded Festival of the Year, while The Station SC took out Accessible Venue of the Year, showing how live music is reaching more audiences across Queensland.

Other winners included Beddy Rays (Rock), Sycco (Pop), Denvah (Country), Randy Thrill$ (Hip Hop), and Full Flower Moon Band (Blues/Roots). Lottie McLeod was named Emerging Artist of the Year, gaining well-deserved attention as a rising star.

Recognition and Reflection

Christine Anu was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, with her daughter Zipporah performing My Island Home in tribute. Anu used her moment to encourage Indigenous youth to embrace their cultural identity in creative work.

One moment that drew attention beyond music came from composer Kellee Green, whose speech sparked mixed reactions. Brisbane City Council later paused $25,000 in funding to QMusic, and Green was placed on leave from her school role. These developments, however, did not overshadow the night’s main focus on celebrating talent and community.

Published 28-March-2025