Summer sounds – five must-see gigs in The City that you should nab tickets to
When it comes to live music, Brisbane truly has it made. We’re ultra lucky to have an abundance of venues that play host to all manner of gigs across limitless genres, from hole-in-the-wall hideaways to mammoth stadiums. Whilst some of the bigger bands tend to play further out, one of our best assets is actually right in the middle of The City. The natural amphitheatre of the Riverstage is undoubtedly one of Australia’s favourite venues, drawing both big-time local and international acts on the regular. From worldwide pop superstars to beloved home-grown artists, we’ve picked our top five gigs coming to the Riverstage that you simply should not miss.
Paul Kelly’s Life is Fine Tour – Saturday November 11, 2017
Let’s get one thing straight right now – Paul Kelly is a legitimate and undisputed national treasure. Like him or not (if not, congrats on your lack of a human soul), the dude has remained a formidable figure in the Australian musical landscape over his 40-odd years of making music that hits us right in the heart. The celebrated singer-songwriter is embarking on a mammoth national tour off the back of his 23rd studio album Life is Fine, so you can expect a dose of his new material mixed in with a hefty back catalogue of classics.
Listen: here
Buy tickets: here
Lorde’s Melodrama Tour – Thursday November 23, 2017
Since little ol’ Lorde burst into our hearts with her breakout hit ‘Royals’ back in 2012, the humble New Zealand pop powerhouse has risen to meteoric levels of fame both here in Australia and overseas. Her relatable songs about suburban adolescence struck a serious chord, mixed with top-notch production that practically demands you move your body. Lorde’s latest release Melodrama is a huge step up, so you’d better believe the accompanying tour is going to blow people away both sonically and visually.
Listen: here
Buy tickets: here
alt-J with Warpaint – Sunday December 10, 2017
It’s pretty rare for genre-bending bands to make it big, especially when what they are doing is so far out from the traditional radio formula. One act that has truly made it is alt-J, the British innovators leading a new era in sound crossovers. The band’s third album RELAXER was released earlier this year to outstanding critical acclaim, so they have plenty of new material to melt our faces off with since an appearance at Falls Festival in 2014. Joining alt-J on this southern sojourn is Los Angeles’ very own Warpaint, a killer quartet know for a truly hypnotic live show.
Listen: here
Buy tickets: here
The xx I See You Australia Tour – Wednesday January 17, 2018
When a band manages to pack out the Splendour in the Grass amphitheatre for a headlining set, you know it’s one to watch. Brisbane indie trio The xx is making a return to Brisbane, bringing its unique and totally dreamy live show to the Riverstage. The layered vocals of Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim are backed perfectly by the master production of Jamie Smith (also known as Jamie xx), a captivating sound that saw them rule the airwaves with 2009’s debut xx. As an added bonus, the supports for this tour are totally mint – punters will get treated to sets from both alt r’n’b goddess Kelela and badass rapper Earl Sweatshirt.
Listen: here
Buy tickets: here
The National – Tuesday February 17, 2018
If you’ve never indulged in a moment of pure melancholy whilst clutching a glass of red and listening to The National, you’re missing out on a truly cathartic experience. The US rockers are returning to our shores with a famously intense live show, riding the wave of this year’s Sleep Well Beast. Swelling guitars, haunting melodies and frontman Matt Berniger’s dry but witty banter ensure that The National will leave a lasting impression on you long after they leave the Riverstage.
Listen: here
Buy tickets: here
Dying to find out what other gigs you can look forward to in The City? Bookmark our Events Guide to scope all of the best shows happening both at the Riverstage and beyond.
Lorde image credit: Brendan Walter
The National image credit: Graham MacIndoe
To find out more about what’s on in Brisbane, head to our Event Guide.
