A new era of live music is coming to Brisbane/Meanjin, as On the Banks, a major outdoor concert series, takes over the Cultural Forecourt at South Bank from 1–22 March 2026. Presented by QPAC and South Bank Corporation, the event will transform the riverside into a festival-style precinct with bars, food, and a city-skyline backdrop made for summer nights.
The debut lineup reads like a cross-section of global sounds — from legendary UK rapper The Streets, to hip-hop icons De La Soul, alt-country hero Marlon Williams, pop star Peach PRC, and Australian rock mainstay Bernard Fanning. Rounding out the month are Oddisee & Good Compny, Miss Kaninna, DISCO CLUB, and the vibrant Punjabi celebration Blockbuster, featuring artists from India and Pakistan.
Each night offers its own story:
- 1 March – Droppin’ Science: A night dedicated to hip-hop’s legacy and future, with De La Soul headlining alongside Oddisee & Good Compny and rising First Nations artist Miss Kaninna.
- 6 March – The Streets: Mike Skinner performs his seminal 2004 album A Grand Don’t Come For Free in full for the first time, bringing UK garage, grime and sharp storytelling to the riverfront.
- 7 March – DISCO CLUB: Founded by Lise Carlaw and Sarah Wills, this all-female party celebrates International Women’s Day weekend with an unapologetic night of dancing, anthems and glittering nostalgia.
- 15 March – Bernard Fanning: The Powderfinger frontman plays a special “Final Encore” Brisbane performance celebrating Tea & Sympathy’s 20th anniversary, joined by Kasey Chambers, The Paper Kites, Troy and Jem Cassar-Daley and Georgia Mooney.
- 19 March – Peach PRC: One of Australia’s brightest pop exports brings her glitter-pop energy and confessional songwriting to On the Banks, performing tracks from her hit EP Manic Dream Pixie.
- 21 March – Blockbuster: A one-day festival of Punjabi music, food and culture featuring artists from India and Pakistan, blending Qawwali, folk and Punjabi pop in celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
- 22 March – Marlon Williams: The acclaimed New Zealand singer closes the series with songs from his new album Te Whare Tīwekaweka — performed entirely in Te reo Māori with a Kapa Haka choir and dancers.
With its blend of local storytelling and global perspective, On the Banks is more than a concert series — it’s a month-long love letter to live music, culture, and community by the river.
ON THE BANKS
QPAC, South Bank
March 2026
TICKETS
Tickets for On the Banks are on sale from Friday 14 November 2025 from ONTHEBANKS.COM.AU or 136 246.
