Start planning for this month because Brisbane Festival’s program is full to bursting with incredible art, performances and, of course, live music shows, so if you want to catch most — or even all! — of them, you’ll need a calendar, your most type-A friend, and the following information.
Starting with the jaw-dropping The Choir of Man, which is back to transform one of the Festival Village into the best pub in the world! Stunning harmonies and foot-stomping singalongs, brimming with hits from artists such as Queen, Sia, Paul Simon, Adele, and Guns N’ Roses, to name just a few, will light up the stage from September 3.
Then, get your zen on because it’s internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Lior and London-based Australian conductor Kelly Lovelady’s turn to remind us to lead with compassion, on September 4. That same day, Australian composer Paul Stanhope will offer a contemporary response to the sea with Ocean Planet, a powerful reflection on the beauty and fragility of our oceans.
Starting September 6, you’ll want to spend your Sunday mornings with Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra and ease into the day with Musical Mantras, an uplifting experience designed to gently awaken your senses. Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal and an ensemble of Conservatorium students’ will perform Be the Sky, a meditative collaboration with composer Philip Glass, honouring the Dalai Lama, on September 7.
Similarly, from September 8, join Queensland Conservatorium Faculty and Students for behind-the-scenes glimpses of an artist’s morning, filling the Brisbane Festival Village South Bank with explorations of sound as they warm up.
If you’re looking for something interacitve, from September 9, Australia’s favourite piano man, Trevor Jones, is bringing his signature late night piano bar party to the Brisbane Festival. You can request songs, sing along and enjoy special guests from the Festival and beyond!
On September 11, you’ll be able to catch ARIA-winning Australian rock institution The Cruel Sea at Roma Street Parkland and, on September 12, it’ll be The Temper Trap’s turn to perform a powerful live set of timeless, emotional anthems, both old and new.
Also on September 12 you’ll want to get your dancing shoes on, because fan-favourite Moorooka Block Party is transforming Peggs Park once again into one great big celebration of culture and community, with the sounds, flavours and stories that make this one of the south side’s most anticipated events of the year.
On September 13, you can choose between a stirring organ concert by renowned Australian organist Calvin Bowman, who will lead audiences through the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach, or an electric Human Nature show, whose flawless harmonies, slick showmanship and feel-good live energy will have you grooving the night away.
ARIA-nominated trio East of West will be performing their genre-defying music, which draws from the rich cultural melting pot of the Balkan and Mediterranean regions, with a hint of contemporary European jazz on September 15. And September 18, 19 and 20 will see Roma Street Parkland host ICEHOUSE, PNAU, and Missy Higgins, respectively.
September 22 will see the ACO perform Mozart’s exquisite last symphonies, and it’s also the day of UQ’s dazzling gala hour. September 24 is renowned Berlin-based, Danish-born singer, songwriter, producer, and classically trained pianist, Agnes Obel’s long-awaited return to Brisbane and, last but not least, Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s Symphonic Dances concert, built around the joy of dance, will take place on September 25 and 26.
Practical information
Brisbane City Hall
- September 15 – Lord Mayor’s City Hall Concerts: East of West
- September 22 – Lord Mayor’s City Hall Concerts: UQ Music Gala
📍64 Adelaide St, Brisbane CBD
Festival Village
- September 3-26 – The Choir of Man
- September 6-13 – Musical Mantras with Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra
- September 8-24 – Warm-up with QLD Con
- September 9-26 – Piano Man
Pegg’s Park
- September 12 – Moorooka Block Party
📍131 Vendale Ave, Moorooka
QPAC
- September 4 – Maestro 6: La Mer
- September 13 – The Complete Bach Catalogue for Organ
- September 22 – ACO: Mozart’s Last Symphonies
- September 24 – Agnes Obel
- September 25-26 – Maestro 7: Symphonic Dances
📍Cultural Precinct Cnr Grey, Melbourne St, South Brisbane
Queensland Conservatorium
- September 4 – Compassion Feat. Lior
- September 7 – Be The Sky
📍S01/140 Grey St, South Brisbane
Roma Street Parkland
- September 11 – The Cruel Sea with Magic Dirt
- September 12 – The Temper Trap
- September 13 – Human Nature: All The Hits Live
- September 18 – ICEHOUSE
- September 19 – PNAU
- September 20 – Missy Higgins
📍1 Parkland Blvd, Brisbane CBD
Check out the full music program and get your tickets for each event here.
