Brisbane Festival’s Serenades is taking to the streets of suburbs and parks around town for one of the biggest music extravaganza ever to be staged in Brisbane’s history.
Across the three weeks of the festival, a huge variety of artists will be offering a vibrant series of free outdoor concerts that bring music to life in parks, gardens and neighbourhoods across the city, weaving together traditional melodies and contemporary rhythms, spotlighting both homegrown talent and global influences.
The pop-up concerts and rolling stages will be filled with the sounds of some of the country’s best contemporary musicians as well as local DJs with international chops, jazz, pop, folk and more.
This year’s program is bigger than ever, and includes specific events that showcase different communities, artists and genres. Pasifika Made will take place at Brisbane Powerhouse on September 7 and is all about expressing Pacific cultural and contemporary arts boldly. This event will transform the venue into a living arts and cultural village with headline performances, cultural ceremony, live demonstrations, workshops, and a thriving village marketplace.
Aside from the Main Stage, whose incredible lineup showcases the best of contemporary Pacific and Indigenous music with artists like Kaiit, PANIA, Fred Leone x Radio for Ghosts, and Eve Nikolao, the celebration will highlight several other artforms in different areas.
The Amphitheatre will mark the beginning of the event with a welcome to country and smoking ceremony featuring the Manus Dancing Group, Ume Lalo Nama Dancing Group, Logohu Bird of Paradise Dancing Group, and Kingaroy Solomon Islands Pan Pipers.
Swing by the Boxy BF Stage for hands-on workshops such as an introduction to Polynesian performing arts, including Siva Afi (fire knife dancing), Hawaiian Traditional Hula, and Polynesian drumming. The Pleasure Dome will be hosting yet more workshops, including traditional storytelling (Revarevas), weaving (Mahoa and Mekeo Vea), basketry, Lakatoi canoe carving, Vea magic string bags, and Garamut drumming.
Once you’ve had your fill of learning, refuel at the Pacific Village Marketplace, featuring as many as 20 Pacific Island businesses and artisans. Experience authentic products connect with creators and support tradition and artistry, all while taking home unique goods!
Then, on September 12 at George Clayton Park, don your cowboy hat and boots for Manly Serenades, the free country music event where the west comes to the east! Featuring powerhouse vocals, twangy guitars, and lyrics of love, loss, and life on the open road, this show perfectly blends contemporary and classic country goodness! Artists Rachael Fahim, Midwest Molly and Briana Dinsdale will tug at your heartstrings and have you two-steppin’ and stompin’ the night away.
The Serenades wouldn’t be complete without a true block party, so make sure you’re at Peggs Park on September 13 for the highly-anticipated Moorooka Block Party! An electrifying celebration of culture, music, and community, this blend of music and dance from all over will showcase an extraordinary line-up of Australia’s finest First Nations and globally influenced artists, alongside captivating dance performances!
ARIA award winners the Bamboos, the beloved Simba Machete and the Echoes of African Music and Mahogany Flow will bring the beats and grooves to keep you dancing all night long. And if the boogie makes you hungry, we’ve got great news: food lovers will be spoilt for choice with a mouth-watering array of global culinary delights, including an Indian buffet of aromatic curries, savoury samosas, freshly baked naan, and more.
Last but certainly not least, the St Lucia Serenades at the beautiful University of Queensland will present The Great First Nations Songbook on September 20, an all-ages concert with an incredible lineup of live music and performances. Headlining is Adam James and The Dreamtime Swing, who will take you on a journey back to the 60s with their imaginative covers of iconic First Nations musicians paired with the electrifying flair of big-band music. Also serenading crowds will be Western Gugu Yalanji and Birrigubba songman, Jungaji featuring Topology as well as 16-year-old singer-songwriter Layla Havana.
Practical info
For the full program of artists and shows, see the Serenades page here.
Pasifika Made
Sunday, September 7 at 3pm. Free entry, but you can register and donate here.
📍Brisbane Powerhouse, Yuggera and Turrbal Country, 119 Lamington St, New Farm
Manly Serenades
Friday, September 12 at 5:30pm. Free entry.
📍George Clayton Park, 55 Upper Esplanade, Manly
Moorooka Block Party & Moorooka Feast
Block Party on Saturday, September 13 at 3pm. Free entry.
Feast on Saturday, September 13 at 7pm. Tickets are $25 per adult and you can get yours here.
📍Peggs Park, 160 Vendale Ave, Moorooka
St Lucia Serenades
Saturday, September 20 at 4pm. Free entry.
📍Dr Mary Mahoney AO Amphitheatre, UQ Lakes, University Dr, St Lucia