Brisbane has been named one of the world's top 5 hotspots for music by the influential US entertainment Billboard magazine. A night out in Brisbane is not complete without experiencing some of the live music on offer. The Valley has the highest concentration of bars, pubs and clubs anywhere in Australia and in 2005, was given Australia's first and only "Special Entertainment Precinct" zoning, which protects and promotes the live music scene.
If you are looking for what's happening in Brisbane, most music and entertainment stores as well as some hipster restaurants and cafés offer free entertainment magazines like Rave , Time-Off , Tsunami , Scene and City News that list what's coming up within the next month or so.
Though you might find most musicians playing in the numerous bars and clubs around the CBD, West End and The Valley, there are some venues which are geared specifically toward hosting bands or artists that are on official tours. Some events allows under 18s in, but not all, so it's best to check beforehand.
The Hi-Fi 125 Boundary St - Funky, purpose-built live show venue located in the heart of West End.
The Tivoli 52 Costin St - Has a very relaxed, noir-styled interior with sizable floor space and a mezzanine. Highly rated venue amongst locals and only a 10 minute walk from The Valley.
The Zoo 711 Ann St – Located in The Valley, this live music venue that is almost more Brisbane than the river. Indie rock, hipsters and that alternative vibe.
The Valley Fiesta is an annual three-day event. It was launched by Brisbane Marketing in 2002 to promote Fortitude Valley as a hub for arts and youth culture. It features free live music, market stalls, food and drink from many local restaurants and cafés, and other entertainment.
Brisbane and the Gold Coast also play host to a number of nationwide electronic and rock music festivals, mostly geared toward the younger crowd.
Big Day Out Hosted on the Gold Coast.
Future Music Festival
Good Vibrations Hosted on the Gold Coast.
Parklife Hosted between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Soundwave
Sunset Sounds
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Brisbane
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Brisbane - updated May 2024
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Brisbane Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
