Relive one of the greatest eras of music at the nostalgia-inducing exhibition Cut Copy
From cultivating a punk scene that welcomed The Go-Betweens and The Leftovers to birthing these blokes and fostering a whole new generation of musically gifted talent, it’s more than fair to say that Brisbane has had a major impact on Australia’s music industry. A pivotal moment for our city’s music scene happened between the 70s and 80s, where in suburban halls, corner pubs and bustling clubs, local bands and little-known artists thrived. State Library of Queensland’s newest exhibition, Cut Copy, offers a snapshot of this transformative decade dipped in subculture, when artists took a DIY approach to not only music-making, but also music promotion.
Cut Copy takes passionate music fans all the way back to Brisbane in the 70s and 80s, where the city’s conservative climate ignited the fire of punk rock, do-it-yourself expression and underground music. To make their voices heard (and to get people to buy tickets to their gigs), up-and-coming artists had to take matters into their own hands, creating unique music posters that were a true snapshot of the era.
Through a vibrant selection of music posters and handbills, some that were kindly donated by the public, the colourful exhibition recalls the bands and venues that lit up Brisbane’s underground music scene. From the Hard-Ons and Scrap Metal to Razar and The Riptides, avid music lovers and history geeks will be able to dig deep into Brisbane’s punk-rock past and the design work that introduced some of Australia’s finest musical talent to our city.
If you wish you were a punk rocker, be sure to visit Cut Copy. Book your free entry ticket here. If you can’t make it to SLQ, you can head to this link to explore the exhibition online – totally free, of course.
This article was written with our friends at State Library of Queensland.
To find out more about what’s on in the Gold Coast, head to our Event Guide.
