photo credits: @kjdoyle via @nightattheparkland on Instagram For two weeks in September, Brisbane’s Roma Street Parklands is host to the thriving live music event series, ‘Night At the Parkland’. Kicking off the second week of programming was the classic Australian rockers, Icehouse, returning after a highly successful performance in 2025’s inaugural series. The venue was quick to fill with excited patrons on this clear Friday night, with chatter brewing about the band’s rece

Photo credit: Nathan Rathsam (@reasonablynathan) Meanjin's (Brisbane) dreamgaze four-piece band, Blue Diner, have been paving their own way from DIY house shows to a BIGSOUND showcase slot, all off the back of their debut album Disc 2 released this year. Known for call and response vocals layered over hazy, dreamy soundscapes, the band draws influence from Horse, Jumper of Love, Feeble Little Horse and Slow Pulp, blending it all into something soft, loud and dreamy in equal m

Photo by Tessa Fleur The Magandjin/Brisbane-based producer, songwriter and filmmaker originally hailing from North Queensland, stepped into the Australian music scene in 2024 with his debut single 'Prozac'. Koady has since continued developing his unique aesthetic world, intuitively twining music with captivating visuals over the last three years. "Do it yourself " as he puts it, not a slogan but an ethos he's carried since his childhood, building a world from the ground up o

I Just Wanna Dance - Alex The Astronaut Alex The Astronaut puts their own spin on a dance-pop banger with ‘I Just Wanna Dance’. An ode to the bathroom gossip and dance floor conversations that beg to distract from the music, Alex sings of the yearn to leave all critical thinking and unqualified therapizing behind and give their all to whichever song is booming over the speakers. ‘I Just Wanna Dance’ is a classic Alex The Astronaut take on the right to disconnect under strobe

Wednesdays At The Waterloo - Lottie McLeod With all the blushing confession of a top secret diary entry, indie darling Lottie McLeod abandons her typical 'sad girl pop' facade with the release of her first (almost) love song, 'Wednesdays At The Waterloo'. Capturing the thrill of an instant, obsession-filled crush that develops out of the blue, this track is an absolute earworm that further demonstrates McLeod's tendency to bring magic the most hyper-specific human experiences

All photography by @robihume Peach PRC is easily Australia's most authentic contemporary pop star, with an adoring fan base, identifiable iconography, and a phenomenal live show. The 'Wandering Spirit' tour, in celebration of Peach PRC's debut album Porcelain which was released in April, closed with a Brisbane show at The Fortitude Music Hall as part of Open Season festival, after a previously scheduled Brisbane show in March was rescheduled due to illness. Fans seemed undete

to the movies - flowerkid Melancholic overthinkers found a new soundtrack last week when flowerkid made his first release in over 18 months with 'to the movies'. Complete with the staple flowerkid lyrical gut-punches and existentialism, 'to the movies' follows the ease of getting lost within a relationship and the need to prioritise yourself. 'To The Movies' arrives as flowerkid begins to tease a forthcoming debut album through socials. unforgettable - Lizzie Hosking Aussie p

The second Kae walked onstage, he met us with such a humble, warm grace and a hand on his heart - immediately thanking us for our presence and the journeys we had taken to be together that night. It was like we had been welcomed around for a warm cup of tea or soup, unified. From the moment the music began we were ascending. Far out it was phenomenal. Explosive. Words flowing like running water over rocks, taking us on every step of the voyage. Lyrics laced with empathy.

Business Man - Alex The Astronaut Australia's favourite astronomical friend is back with an absolute gem in 'Business Man'. Showcasing their staple lyrical charm whilst calling out the capitalist focused industry and those who spend their days playing the game, Alex The Astronaut's new single is a callback to ever-present themes throughout their discography and a sentiment shared by many in this day and age. Inspired by country and western music, this toe-tapping tune is sure

Golden Retriever – Grace Luisa Our teen movie dream comes to life with the sing-along new single 'Golden Retriever' from Gold Coast based Grace Luisa. Marking her entry into a poppier soundscape, Grace Luisa shares the thrill of meeting the one, even if they're not quite who you (or your friends) would've expected. 'Golden Retriever' fully embodies the giddy diary entry after a first-date, and is best enjoyed whilst kicking your feet and stalking your crush's socials. Be The

all photos by Max Wenke - @max_wenke Last Saturday night, there was a crowded line outside Brisbane’s Princess Theatre, composed of fans chattering eagerly whilst actively trying to combat the winter breeze. Marking the mid-point of the Small Achievements Australian Tour, this Brisbane stop saw Ruby Fields celebrating the release of her recent sophomore album, after the success of early album singles '92 Purebred' and 'Half The Laugh'. Opening the night was our hometown her

North Star - Azure Ryder Proving herself again and again to be one of the dreamiest forces in our music scene, singer-songwriter Azure Ryder navigates the delicacy and beauty of love on her new single 'North Star'. Embedding a glittering magic into her poetic lyrics, the celestial motifs throughout 'North Star' reinforce the timeless manner of her discography, alongside the soft power of rejecting the noise in favour of the planetary alignments and pure whimsy. 'North Star' c

I’m Sorry - Wishlist Indie darlings Wishlist are inviting us into their whimsical musical orbit with their new single, 'I'm Sorry'. Through their unique approach to their electronic pop craft, the duo initially brought this track to life on acoustic guitars before rebuilding with a collage of samples which led to the eclectic and shiny release. Depicting a yearning for closure, 'I'm Sorry' is the third release from this duo who are redefining experimental pop and collaborativ

MUSIC 2 MY EARS - Robert Baxter & Sweatbaby The collab of our dream keeps on giving, as Robert Baxter and Sweatbaby follow up the viral success of 2025's 'ICY (TAKE IT OFF)' with their addictive new single, 'MUSIC 2 MY EARS'. Self-described as the ultimate versatile hype up song, 'MUSIC 2 MY EARS' is the sonic equivalent to skin-tight baby-tees, all shades of chrome, and iconic star motifs in fashion. This flirty fling is ready to soundtrack your pre-games and 2ams, whilst ge

Produced by The Tivoli Group, Open Season has taken root as Brisbane’s defining winter cultural program, championing local, national and international artists and a bold expression of the city’s independent creative spirit. Unapologetically ambitious, the 2026 edition embraces unexpected venues and cross-disciplinary collaborations, creating experiences that are immersive, surprising and gritty. Open Season is a true grass roots success story. Since its inception in 2020 in

A night soaked in sweet nostalgia, Ocean Alley’s Love Balloon tour came in to land at the Brisbane Showgrounds on January the 30th, 2026, leaving a glowing crowd in its wake.

TAP TAP TAP! - Jazzy Dale Channeling the power of noughties bangers and Fergie's 'London Bridge', Gadigal (Sydney) based pop baddie Jazzy Dale is reclaiming her power with her new single 'TAP TAP TAP!'. Turning an uncomfortable situation into a confident reminder of her worth, Jazzy Dale dons boxing gloves to fight back against hegemonic ideas of feminine fragility with this addictively punchy tune. TOUCH GRASS - Salty A self-aware reminder to log off, go outside and 'TOUCH G

Bernard Fanning's Tea & Sympathy album is easily recognisable as a Brisbane classic, in the same category as the Brown Snake and the Channel 7 Wheel. Put the three together on a Sunday afternoon, and you've got a dream come true, or just another instalment in QPAC's new live music series, 'On The Banks'. With a dream lineup of iconic Australian voices, a selection of food trucks, and a fully stocked bar, music lovers of all ages gathered to end their week with a healthy dos

Charcoal - YAGKI In an act of pure bravery and vulnerability, terms becoming synonymous with her artistry, YAGKI revisits repressed childhood trauma in her new release 'Charcoal'. This autobiographical song hits with the punch of 2000's Paramore , complete heavy confessional lyrics that are guaranteed to stay with you for longer than you'd initially expect. Sparked by receiving medical records of a childhood overdose, YAGKI channels her raw emotions into this alternative rock

We chatted to Meanjin/Brisbane singer-songwriter Georgia Scarlett, who is stepping into a brand-new chapter with the release of her debut album, Rhythm of Life, which was release to the world on November 28. Blending the quiet honesty of folk with the warm, sunlit glow of country pop, Georgia’s first full-length offering is a celebration of growth, self-discovery, and the steady pulse that carries us forward. Georgia traces a journey from heartbreak to acceptance, discovering