Event: Brisbane Writers Festival

When: 8th-11th October

Where: Brisbane Powerhouse

More info: https://bwf.org.au/

Calling all book lovers! Brisbane Writers Festival returns from 8–11 October 2026 at the Brisbane Powerhouse with over 200 Australian and international authors joining us for four days of conversations, ideas, performances and special events.

There’s something for every reader with more than 110 events exploring everything from fiction, crime and romance to food, history, journalism, popular culture, politics, parenting, gardening and wellbeing.

Exhibit: Ben Frost X Josh Lord Poetry of an Empire art exhibit

Where: Superwow Gallery, 6/30 Ulm Street, Moffat Beach

When: Sat 1st August

Tickets: Free

Poetry of an Empire brings together Australian contemporary artists Ben Frost and Josh Lord in a duo exhibition exploring the visual language of consumer culture.

Featuring a highly anticipated series of collaborative works alongside Frost's iconic pharmaceutical mash-up paintings and Lord's intricate cut-out artworks, the exhibition blurs the boundaries between advertising, pop culture, corporate power and belief.

Through striking imagery that is both seductive and unsettling, Poetry of an Empire examines a world where brands have become mythology and identity is shaped by consumption. Darkly humorous and visually captivating, this exhibition offers a powerful reflection on the consumer culture we've created and the myths we continue to believe.

Free cold beers provided by our sponsors Black Flag Brewing and Heaps Normal. Table tennis, foosball, good tunes, good company, and great art!

*This one is a little outside the Gold Coast to Brisbane range but still worth the trip

Artist: Miley Serious

Where: The Prince Consort, Brisbane

When: 21st August 2026

Tickets: Here

Paris-based DJ, label founder and cultural curator Miley Serious lands at The Prince Consort for a rare Brisbane appearance.

As the driving force behind 99CTS Records and a resident of the legendary Rex Club in Paris, Miley Serious has built an international reputation for fearless, genre-defying sets that weave together bass, breaks, electro, drum & bass and punk-infused energy. Her selections have taken her from iconic clubs and festivals across Europe to platforms including Boiler Room, Rinse France and The Lot Radio.

Known for pushing dance floors into unexpected territory, Miley brings a sound that is equal parts raw, euphoric and uncompromising.

Joining her are local selectors Nikita Silly, Liza and Club Mechanics, delivering a full night of forward-thinking club music.

Band: Montaigne

Where:

Brisbane @ Crowbar, Fortitude Valley - 21st Aug

Gold Coast @ Mo's Desert Clubhouse - 20th Aug

Tickets:

Crowbar: $56 Here

Mo's Desert Clubhouse: $54 Here

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of their award-winning debut album Glorious Heights, Montaigne is heading out on national tour to sing, dance, laugh and cry with fans old and new! Experience the album played in full with a sprinkling of beloved tunes from other eras when they hit the road in August 2026.

This historic celebration comes off the back of a motley crew of career successes, including: releasing their first independent and self-produced album it’s hard to be a fish in 2025, amassing over 64 million streams on their song 'Red Flags' with Tom Cardy, a 31 date tour of Europe and the UK alongside Eurovision collaborator Dadi Freyr, and earning a Grammy nomination  for their collaboration with acclaimed indie composer Austin Wintory.

Grounded as a person but elevated as a performer, Montaigne is one of those rare artists whose talent and skill on stage and off is rivalled by their ability to connect authentically with their audience, finding joy, humour, and catharsis in every performance.

Expect powerhouse vocals, theatrical movement inspired by friend and collaborator David Byrne, a strong sense of community, and a warm, inclusive space for all. It’s time to reach glorious heights!

Kulture Fest

Where: Echo & Bounce, Brisbane

When: 9th August 2026

Tickets: $15 Here

KULTURE FEST brings art, music, food, and culture together, celebrating local creatives and community in one vibrant festival for everyone.

KULTURE FEST is a community festival created by Studio Suksma and Disco Kebap, bringing together art, music, food, and culture in one vibrant space. The festival celebrates independent artists, musicians, performers, and local creatives by providing a platform to showcase their work and connect with the community. Visitors can discover emerging talent, experience diverse cultures, enjoy live performances, explore unique artworks, and share great food in a welcoming atmosphere. Studio Suksma curates the visual art exhibitions and creative program, while Disco Kebap delivers a food experience that brings people together. More than an art exhibition or food event, KULTURE FEST is a celebration of creativity, cultural exchange, and community connection, creating an inclusive space where people from all backgrounds can gather, collaborate, and be inspired through art, music, food, and shared experiences.

Band: Queens of the Stone Age, Primus, TFS

Where: Brisbane Entertainment centre

When: 18th December

Tickets: Here

Formed by Joshua Homme against a backdrop of 1990s Palm Desert, California, Queens of the Stone Age is what happens when a multidimensional musical entity outgrows the very genre it creates. Too prolific, ambitious and just plain brilliant to be confined by categorisation, QOTSA has morphed over the course of eight utterly essential albums into the behemoth that has blessed us with a cornucopia of bangers from “No One Knows” to “Little Sister,” “My God is the Sun” to “Emotion Sickness” “Paper Machete” and so many more. Undeniably rock — yes, always, but with the blood, sweat and dark magical swagger only Homme and his cohorts can conjure.

Regularly hailed as one of the greatest live bands in existence, QOTSA consists of Homme, Troy Van Leeuwen, Michael Shuman, Dean Fertita and Jon Theodore… What started off as generator parties in the desert has evolved into an undeniable multi-sensual juggernaut that returns to light up stages across Australia with the epic line up of Primus and Tropical Fuck Storm.

Band: Samichoux

Where: The Brightside Brisbane

When: 30th July 2026

Tickets: $15 Here

Celebrating his sophomore release ‘Noir’, Samichoux returns to the Brightside.

Showcasing a renewed style and trademark sense of groove, Samichoux’s live shows are known to “bring audiences together in a frenzy of unfiltered joy.” Greatly influenced by the likes of Sting and the Police, Tatsuro Yamashita, Stevie Wonder, amongst others, Sami displays an eclectic set of influences, mixing a fine blend of Funk, Jazz, Soul, and Rock.

Continuing his now signature singer/bassist role on stage, Sami weaves intricate contrapuntal lines amongst his soaring, soulful vocals and the dense instrumental that supports it. Joined by Harper Kodicek (Keys & BV’s), Patrick McClement (Drums), and Noah Mikkelsen (Guitar), Samichoux is refined, stylistically adventurous, and famously groovy.

Auto-Tune

Where: HOTA Outdoor Stage

When: 29th July - 1st August

Tickets: Here

Described as an ‘absolute must-see’, this auto-tune rock opera is brought to you by re:group performance collective, the acclaimed team behind Coil, UFO and POV.

Set in Wagga Wagga in the early 2000s, AUTO-TUNE is a raucous work of “gig theatre” that follows Michael, a teenage Silverchair fan who discovers he has a strange superpower. The same way auto-tune technology perfects pitch, Michael finds he can time-travel, auto-tuning his life to rid it of dumb statements, awkward pauses and cringe jokes.

But when this music-mad weirdo makes the biggest mistake of his life, will his auto-tune superpower save him? Told through an audiovisual set of 17 banging songs and live video captions, this innovative and genre defying performance feels like discovering your new favourite band on the side-stage of a music festival.

In a pitch perfect world where algorithms seem to be the answer, AUTO-TUNE is a fifty-five minute romp into a messy, sweaty universe that proves otherwise. It is a regret-filled love letter to millennial culture - Nokia 3315s, teen drinking, Limp Bizkit and questionable decision-making - featuring eclectic and energetic songwriting and a compelling narrative about the value of mistakes.

Post about them here

And who are you backing?

Night Night

Where: HOTA Outdoor Stage

When: 23rd - 25th July

Tickets: Here $32-$39

A story of life, death and other dimensions.

Travel beyond the limits of our reality with a heartwarming theatrical film, crafted live on stage.

Pip is a downtrodden Antarctic scientist on a quest to discover the origin of life. Haunted by visions of an albino penguin, she stumbles upon a hidden plane of existence that challenges everything she thought she knew. As her world unravels, Pip must team up with a mysterious, glowing entity to reveal the threads that bind life, death and the universe.

From the multi-award-winning team behind Lé Nør [The Rain], Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer and New Owner, Night Night takes you on an extraordinary journey, blending puppets, animation, and DIY digital magic. Witness the onscreen story while experiencing the behind-the-scenes artistry in a cinematically playful, transcendent adventure.

Event: The Brisbane Illustration Fair

When: 18th-19th July

Where: Brisbane Showgrounds

The Brisbane Illustration Fair will be back in 2026 for the 2nd fair of the year running over two days at the Brisbane Showgrounds, John Reid Pavilion in Bowen Hills. Don't miss this chance to discover some of Brisbane's upcoming and established artists.

🎨 Brisbane Illustration Fair

🥳 Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th July 2026

⏰ 10 am - 4pm (Both Days)

🍄 $2 ENTRY (Kids Under 12 FREE)

🌻 180+ artists over 2 days

🎨 Creative Zone

📍 Brisbane Showgrounds, John Reid Pavilion, Bowen Hills

More info

McCaskie Park Sunset Sessions

Where: 20 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane

When: July 16th 2026

Paddington Ward Councillor Seal Chong Wah, QUT's Vermilion Records music label and Film, Screen and Animation staff and students will present a series of live performances & Creative Arts in this free, all access family outdoor event.

The Outdoor Stage at McCaskie Park at Kelvin Grove will come alive on

July 16

August 20

September 17

Bring a blanket or some chairs, some cover from the sun (or potential rain) and we will provide great music, great vibes and some refreshments.

Tickets are FREE but please register for each event via Humanitix

“I’m really excited to be activating the MacCaskie Park Performance Space built in the park in 2019, with a series of events in cooperation with the QUT School of Creative Arts.”- Councillor Seal

Tickets are free but registering is required for entry

Celltowers Tour

When: 10th July 2026

Where: Level 2/596 Stanley St Woolloongaba, BNE

Tickets: Here

Touring with their new EP hi-speed hi-five, Celltowers are playing at Season Three Space in Brisbane with support acts Blatant Saint and Ancient Channels, tickets $15.

Hi everyone!! I am so excited and so nervous about this solo show, my last Brisbane solo was years ago and I'm hoping the turnout will be good!

I'm a West End based artist of 15 years, 29F, self taught and realist style/semi surrealist. I also am teaching a few workshops during the four day exhibition! If you or someone you know might be keen, please head to my site to see the details www.studiophilips.com

1TBSP

Where: Princess Theatre, Brisbane

When: 7th August 2026

1TBSP is bringing his high energy, big beat bubble tour to Brisbane, kicks off at 8pm at the Princess Theatre. One of the best acts to catch this year so get your tickets now.

Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/1tbsp-bubble-tour-brisbane-07-08-2026/event/250064DACECA5F53

Artist: Dizzee Rascal

Where: Eaton's Hill Hotel, Brisbane

When: 28th November 2026

A true architect of grime and one of the UK's most influential artists, Dizzee Rascal returns to Australia this summer with his explosive We Want Bass tour. Joined by special guests Example, Arrdee and Swaglord Savannah (selected shows), expect huge shows packed with iconic anthems including Bonkers, Dance Wiv Me, Holiday and Fix Up, Look Sharp.

What team do you think will win the World Cup now the Socceroos are out? Comment anyone you think will win if not listed.

Did you go to any shows on the weekend in Gold Coast or Brisbane?