Live music is magical. Sharing the experience of listening to your favourite artists — or discovering new ones — with friends and strangers alike makes for some unforgettable memories. And 2026 is shaping up to be an amazing year, with heaps of concerts of all genres happening in all of Brisbane’s best venues. Here are some of the most anticipated ones.
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1. The Triffid
This refurbished WWII hangar in Newstead is the perfect home for live music. With a capacity for 800 people, plus an outdoor beer garden with a screen that can fit about the same crowd, this roomy space is the perfect setting for some live music both national and international. A few of their much-anticipated upcoming gigs are:
- The Rasmus — January 30: The award-winning Finnish rock band is finally making their long-awaited Australian debut, with their kaleidoscopic collage of heavy guitars set against futuristic electronics.
- Transvision Vamp — February 11: Returning to the stage for the first time in 27 years, the British pop rock sensation are bringing their beloved 80s hits shuch as Baby I Don’t Care and I Want Your Love Down Under!
- Hothouse Flowers — February 27: Ireland’s legendary folk band, known for their unique and electrifying blend of rock ‘n’ roll and American gospel and coming back to Australia for the first time in 20 years. Don’t miss this passionate mix of genres that has captivated audiences the world over.
- Of Mice & Men — May 10:Southern California alt-metal powerhouse Of Mice & Men are coming back to Australia armed with their legendary live show, unrelenting energy, fan-favourite anthems and sounding as fierce as ever!
2. The Tivoli
Affectionately nicknamed The Tiv, this art deco building, which was originally built as a gourmet bakery and was later used as a storage space for rare books, has since played host to some of the biggest acts in Australia and abroad, with a standing capacity of 1,560. In 2026, they’ll be welcoming the following artists, among many others:
- Paris Paloma — January 11: The breakout indie folk artist is making her inaugural visit to Australia on her Good Boy tour. A powerful new voice, she has redefined the genre with her unnerving storytelling, haunting vocals, and a fiercely feminine perspective.
- Rainbow Kitten Surprise — January 28: Platinum-selling American band Rainbow Kitten Surprise have announced their first long-awaited Australian headline run. Since stepping back into the spotlight in 2023 with LOVE HATE MUSIC BOX, they have continued to push sonic boundaries in a way that can only be fully appreciated live.
- Sophie Ellis-Bextor — February 10: the British disco-pop queen is bringing her infectious energy and dancey hits to Australia, celebrating the release of her acclaimed new album Perimenopop. From iconic noughties anthems like Murder On The Dancefloor to fresh pop celebrations, this will be the feel-good show!
- Amble — February 13: The critically acclaimed three-piece Irish folk group will be coming down under to perform their intimate, no-frills debut album Reverie, which will capture the audience with its serenity and heavenly harmonies.
- The Darkness — February 20: Multi-platinum UK rock royalty The Darkness are bringing their high-voltage energy and era-defining hits like I Believe In A Thing Called Love as well as their newest tracks like I Hate Myself to the Tivoli stage!
- Kingfishr — March 14: Another chart-topping Irish band, this alt-folk/rock trio is powered by rousing hooks that spark mass singalongs at every show they play, and now it’s finally Australia’s turn.
- Biffy Clyro — April 9: One of the UK’s most successful bands, rock icons Biffy Clyro are coming back to Oz for the first time in 8 years! Fans can expect to hear beloved hits like Many Of Horror and Bubbles, alongside gems from their critically-acclaimed latest album, Futique.
3. Riverstage
Located in the stunning City Botanic Gardens, Riverstage is an iconic outdoor venue with a capacity of 9,500, making it an ideal place for bigger concert or even festivals. Take advantage of Brissy’s incredible weather and witness some live music under the stars! There’s no shortage of artists to choose from:
- YUNGBLUD — January 17 & 18: Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and performer YUNGBLUD, is bringing his IDOLS world tour to Australia, after a sold-out run in North America!
- Halsey — February 17: Celebrating the tenth anniversary of Badlands, her debut album and the one that put her on the map, Halsey is coming to Australia for the first time in over 5 years, in which time she has released three more albums: Manic in 2020, If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power the following year, and last year’s The Great Impersonator.
- Kesha— February 19: Kesha will be performing four shows in Australia as part of her Tits Out Tour, supporting her newest album “.” (Period), fresh off its release in July. This will be her first time in Brisbane since her visit in 2018 during the Rainbow Tour, and her first record as an independent artist, so you can’t miss it!
- Big Time Rush — March 20: Big Time Rush’s highly-anticipated worldwide tour, IN REAL LIFE WORLDWIDE is coming back to Australia, returning after a run of sold-out shows last year. The band will play every song from every episode of their hit Nickelodeon show, many of which have never been played live!
- Pierce the Veil — April 8: Platinum-selling rock icons Pierce The Veil are bringing their I Can’t Hear You Tour to Australia, with special guests Movements and Jack Kays, after a huge run across North America, Europe, the UK and Latin America!
- 5 Seconds of Summer — October 28: Pioneering a genre-bending sound 5 Seconds of Summer is bringing their EVERYONE’S A STAR! tour home, in support of their latest album and after a long absence from the stages.
4. Fortitude Music Hall
The largest ballroom-styled venue in Australia, with a 3,000 person standing capacity, Fortitude Music Hall is a Brisbane institution and is ideal for smaller shows that still pack a punch.
- Hot Chip — January 10: One of the most influential British bands of the past couple of decades, Hot Chip are celebrating the release of their first anthology album, Joy In Repetition with shows that feature their greatest and most beloved tracks.
- CMAT— January 25: Ireland’s sharpest pop export is bringing her acclaimed EURO-COUNTRY tour to Brisbane this summer. One of the most exciting new voices in pop, CMAT blends country-pop, wit and authenticity into stunning hits.
- Sofi Tukker — February 5: For their first headline tour in seven years, this GRAMMY-nominated duo are bringing their globally acclaimed, high-energy live show with hits like Purple Hat to our city. With a border-crossing sound that blends Brazilian rhythms, bossa-nova grooves, and Portuguese poetry, every show is a kaleidoscope of rhythm.
- Ethel Cain — February 25: the Florida-born multidisciplinary artist is extending her sold-out Willoughby Tucker Forever tour, adding stops in Australia, thanks to the critical acclaim that her latest album, Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You, was met with.
5. Brisbane Entertainment Centre (BEC)
This multi-purpose indoor arena can house up to 13,500 people and is a great setting for bigger acts. Throughout the year, the world’s biggest superstars take over its stage, sound system and light displays to fans’ delight. Some of the big names this year are:
- The Lumineers — January 13
- David Byrne — January 17
- Lorde — February 16
- Good Charlotte — February 19
- Linkin Park — March 3 & 5
- Wu-Tang Clan — March 25
- MGK — April 16
- Olivia Dean — October 13
6. Lefty’s Music Hall
This hip, saloon-style bar with fabric-draped ceilings, mounted deer heads and a mezzanine embodies the spirit of Americana and is the perfect venue for intimate shows, with its smaller capacity.
7. Candlelight Concerts
Unmissable and unforgettable, Candlelight concerts offer a unique experience where classical music and other live performances take place in atmospheric locations lit by hundreds of candles. This magical setting is the perfect backdrop to enjoy history’s greatest hits, from Vivaldi to Queen, Candlelight has concerts for all tastes.