live music Archives - Fortitude Valley News

Brisbane’s Night at The Parkland Returns Bigger Than Ever for 2026

Night at The Parkland returns to Roma Street Parkland for its second season in September, bringing nine open-air concerts across three weekends as part of Brisbane Festival’s 2026 program.

The concert series, presented by Toyota in association with Brisbane Festival, runs from 4 to 20 September 2026. Organisers expanded the program following strong attendance during last year’s debut season. General public tickets go on sale from 9am on 2 June.

Promoters Second Sunday have built the 2026 lineup around a mix of Australian ARIA winners and one international headliner: Grammy-nominated American singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc, making his first Australian live appearance in seven years.

The full September schedule

The series opens on Friday 4 September with The Cruel Sea, joined by special guests Magic Dirt, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the double-platinum, number-one album Three Legged Dog. Katie Noonan brings her critically acclaimed Jeff Buckley’s Grace show to the parkland the following evening, fresh from a national tour of more than 25 sold-out performances.

Sunday 6 September features Yesterday’s Gone: The Fleetwood Mac Legacy, with Fanny Lumsden, Charlie Collins and Karen-Lee Andrews sharing the stage for the tribute show.

Aloe Blacc headlines Friday 11 September as part of his Wake Me Up tour. The Temper Trap follow on Saturday 12, and Human Nature bring their All The Hits Live show to the parkland on Sunday 13 September.

The final weekend opens with Icehouse on Friday 18 September, returning after a sold-out appearance in the 2025 season. PNAU take Saturday 19, performing an unseated, dancing-encouraged set of hits alongside tracks from their forthcoming album AHHCade, due in late July. Missy Higgins closes the series on Sunday 20 September.

Support acts across the series include Vandalism Angel, Jo Davie, Georgia Fields, Birren, Wilsn, Clea, Lastlings, Jaymon Bob, Ally Row, Kyla Belle, Alice Ivy, Hazel Mei, Jem Cassar-Daley and more.

An outdoor setting that suits the music

Roma Street Parkland sits at the northern edge of Brisbane’s CBD and is described as the world’s largest subtropical garden in an urban centre. The setting — tiered gardens, mature trees, open lawns — makes it a genuinely distinctive alternative to the arena circuit, and the 2025 season proved there is an appetite in Brisbane for exactly this kind of outdoor live music experience.

*Photo Credit: Tourism & Events Queensland*

Second Sunday co-founder Cameron Coghlan said the expanded program reflects the response to last year’s debut. “We’re incredibly proud to see Night at The Parkland return for its second year, building on a strong debut and creating even more opportunities for audiences to enjoy great live music in a unique outdoor setting,” he said.

Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Ebony Bott added that the series had quickly established itself as a standout live music event for the city. “We’re excited to welcome Night at The Parkland back to Brisbane Festival in 2026, bigger, bolder and expanded across three incredible weekends,” she said.

Tickets and information

General public tickets go on sale today, Tuesday 2 June, at 9am AEST. Full lineup details, individual show information and tickets are available at here. Getting to Roma Street Parkland is straightforward, with trains running directly to Roma Street Station and buses servicing the underground busway or street-level stops right outside.

Published 2-June-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’s Music Scene Reignited as Blute’s Hosts Gigs Five Nights a Week

Live music is making a vibrant return to Fortitude Valley as Blute’s Bar prepares to host performances five nights a week. This exciting development follows the closure of much-loved venue The Bearded Lady, and sees the same creative team—Alyssa and Keeley of Ballpoint Press—take the reins to help shape Blute’s next chapter.

Read: Crowbar Brisbane Returns: A New Era for the Iconic Venue

For the duo, the transition from The Bearded Lady to Blute’s is more than just a new project—it’s a continuation of a legacy. They see this as a chance to keep the spirit of Brisbane’s independent music scene alive, offering artists a welcoming platform whether they’re just starting out or already seasoned performers. Their vision is to foster an environment where artists can evolve and truly feel at home.

Blute’s, which first opened its doors in 2018, is already known for its late-night karaoke and role in the annual BIGSOUND showcase. Now, with a new live music focus, the bar is cementing itself as a key venue in Brisbane’s entertainment landscape. But fans of karaoke needn’t worry—the beloved mic won’t be going anywhere. Instead, the bar will wrap up gigs earlier in the evening before transitioning into its usual karaoke festivities.

The local music community has welcomed the announcement. QMusic CEO Kris Stewart highlighted the importance of resisting the loss of live venues and praised Blute’s commitment to local, original acts. The venue also joins the network of live music spaces operated by The Happy Horsemen—the team behind Stay Gold, The Brightside, and Black Bear Lodge—renowned for supporting Australia’s music talent.

Promoter Andrew Perumalla from Destroy All Lines echoed this sentiment, noting the team’s unmatched dedication to nurturing live music and calling Blute’s a promising addition to the national music scene.

Read: Open-Air Concert Series Launching in Brisbane CBD This September

Live bookings are now open, and the venue is actively inviting artists and agents to get in touch. Launch programming is expected to begin rolling out in the coming weeks, adding a fresh rhythm to Fortitude Valley’s nights.

Published 16-June-2025

Triffid and ‘Little Italy’ Developer Reach Noise Dispute Resolution

The Triffid, one of Brisbane’s iconic live music venues, and a major new development have reached a harmonious agreement that promises to benefit the community and preserve the area’s vibrant culture.

Read: Triffid Takes Legal Action vs Newstead Development Over Noise Concerns

Panettiere Developments, the company behind the much-anticipated “Little Italy” project, a three-tower mixed-use development in Newstead, has officially settled a planning appeal concerning noise from the nearby live music venue.

Tensions surfaced in late 2024 when Hutchinson Builders, co-owners of The Triffid, initiated legal action over concerns that the $1.5 billion development could jeopardise the venue’s future due to potential noise complaints from future residents.

After close collaboration between acoustic experts representing both parties and Brisbane’s local officials, the developers agreed to significantly enhance soundproofing in Building 1 — the tower directly adjacent to The Triffid. Acoustic treatments have been increased from level 4 to level 12, alongside thoughtful redesigns to apartment layouts, ensuring residents can enjoy their homes without compromising the venue’s live music experience.

Photo Credit: Brisbane PD Online/Bureau Proberts

“We’re proud to have worked constructively with The Triffid representatives to find a solution that respects Brisbane’s vibrant music culture while allowing the proposed development to move forward,” Panettiere Developments confirmed in a statement.

Despite the delays caused by the legal proceedings, the development is now progressing with renewed momentum. Once complete, Little Italy will offer a unique blend of residential living, boutique retail, and hospitality venues, aiming to transform Newstead into one of Brisbane’s most dynamic urban hubs.

Stage 1 of the project — a residential tower set on the corner of Longland and Kyabra Streets — is expected to launch soon, drawing interest from those who want to live in one of the city’s most culturally rich neighbourhoods.

Read: Night-Life Commissioner Eyes Changes to Revive Fortitude Valley

For locals, especially residents of Fortitude Valley and Newstead, this outcome reinforces a powerful message: that progress doesn’t have to come at the cost of community identity. The Triffid will continue to echo with live music, and a new chapter for urban living is just around the corner.

Published 19-May-2025