Brisbane’s Open Season returns for its fifth and fiercest year yet. From May to July, the city will transform into a riot of live music, art and soul-shaking performance across six legendary venues, including QPAC joining forces with The Tivoli and The Princess Theatre. Resulting in over 30 events that stretch from sweaty club sets to grand, cinematic spectacles.
Sigur Rós will join the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra. The Icelandic icons bring their haunting post-rock to QPAC’s Concert Hall in a performance set to induce goosebumps and gentle weeping.
Then there’s jazz visionary Kamasi Washington, whose galactic, genre-bending compositions are matched in brilliance only by fellow experimental soul-bender Pale Jay. Shoegaze stalwarts DIIV return with their most emotionally raw and shimmering work yet, Frog in Boiling Water.
The annual Blak Day Out – a blazing celebration of First Nations artistry – is back for its fourth year on 26 July, curated by Alethea Beetson and co-presented with QPAC’s Clancestry. Christine Anu headlines with a 30th anniversary throwdown for Stylin’ Up, backed by indie darling Thelma Plum and the unstoppable force of Miss Kaninna. It’s more than a gig – it’s a movement.
Dance heads, this one’s for you. Moktar melds techno with Arabic textures for an unmissable club experience, while Golden Vessel’s house alias 1tbsp joins forces with rising Melbourne producer Pruient. Shouse round out the electronic onslaught with their euphoric synth anthems.
Open Season also gets intimate. Sahara Beck delivers art-pop grandeur at the regal Grand on Ann. Indie-rock gem Soccer Mommy brings her confessional alt-pop, and Surprise Chef promise groove-laden instrumental bliss. Meanwhile, MonoNeon – dubbed “the greatest f*cking bass player” by Flea himself – will send minds spinning with his technicolor funk.
Local legends The Gin Club are reuniting for a 20-year tribute to their seminal record Fear of the Sea, while Quiet on Set will fill Winn Lane with impromptu performances from tomboy, Handsome, and jazz sensation Emma Volard. There’s even a free martini-and-jazz night at The Inchcolm, courtesy of Accomplice Collective.
Ezra Collective – Mercury Prize and BRIT Award winners will be serving joyful, high-octane jazz-funk fusion. Jessica Pratt brings her spectral folk to the table. Kiasmos rise from hibernation with their long-awaited return to the live circuit, while Mount Kimbie’s textured electronica will take you places.
Ravyn Lenae’s ethereal R&B makes its Brisbane debut at The Tivoli, as local heroes Skegss bring their beer-soaked surf punk mayhem to the party.
Cloud Control are back in full original lineup mode, marking 15 years of their breakout LP Bliss Release. Killing Heidi light the fuse on a 25-year victory lap for Reflector, the alt-pop juggernaut that defined a generation. And The Preatures celebrate a decade of Blue Planet Eyes with the kind of high-voltage show that reminds you exactly why they were once Australia’s brightest flame.
OPEN SEASON
May – July 2025, Brisbane/Magandjin
Head HERE for ticketing information.
