Sweet Relief 2024

A bold celebration of music, nostalgia and pure joy.

Returning for its second sensational year, Sweet Relief! lit up Brisbane with an all-out celebration of music, creativity and inclusivity.

Headlined by Y2K icon Kelis in an exclusive Australian performance, the 2024 lineup also featured electrifying sets from The Presets, Electric Fields, Haiku Hands, dameeeela, and JUNO. Rising local talent from across Queensland—including Ixaras, Medhanit and Miles Nautu—kept the energy high across the day.

Hosted by music and media icon Faustina “Fuzzy” Agolley, the festival brought colour and character to the city with the return of Australia’s biggest dress-up competition, judged by the unforgettable POOF DOOF crew. With flamboyant fashion, fierce performances and an unapologetically fun vibe, Sweet Relief! delivered a dance-floor-driven experience that welcomed everyone to be part of the party.

Dream Aloud 2024

Amplifying the future of First Nations music.

The inaugural Dream Aloud festival lit up the tropics in October, bringing a dynamic celebration of First Nations music and culture to the Great Barrier Reef and Cairns (Gimuy).

With a powerful lineup featuring ARIA Award-winner Baker Boy, King Stingray, Bumpy, JK-47, Kee’ahn, R.3.B and MC Steph Tisdell, the festival showcased the next wave of First Nations talent—unapologetically bold, contemporary and rooted in culture.

Set across a long weekend in lush North Queensland, Dream Aloud blended music, storytelling and community with a strong focus on cultural pride and youth-driven energy. Every element of the festival—from performers to stallholders—reflected a deep commitment to Indigenous excellence.

Positioned as a new cultural highlight on the Australian music calendar, Dream Aloud offered a soul-stirring, sun-soaked journey through sound, connection and identity on Country.

The Long Sunset 2024

Soundtracking paradise in the Scenic Rim.

Set against the rolling hills of Canungra’s Elysian Fields, The Long Sunset returned to the Scenic Rim for a weekend of music, culture and natural beauty from 1–3 November.

Headlined by acclaimed Australian artists Matt Corby and Angie McMahon, the 2024 lineup featured New Zealand’s soul-electronic collective LEISURE, alongside a standout selection of local and national acts including Blind Corners, Emma Donovan, Ngaiire, Lyric, and Sons of the East.

Beyond the stage, festival goers embraced wellness, creativity and community through yoga sessions, storytelling workshops, artisan markets and regional food and wine. Just a short drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, The Long Sunset offered a laid-back escape grounded in connection to place—on the lands of the Mununjali, Bundjalung and Yugumbeh Peoples.

The Gully Sessions 2025

A legendary pub, a timeless sound.

The Outback Trail continued in the historic town of Nindigully, home to the legendary Nindigully Pub—Queensland’s oldest continuously licensed pub, dating back to 1864.

Locals and visitors gathered for a vibrant afternoon of live music, dancing and classic pub fare. The lineup featured country favourite Taylor Moss, high-energy rock ‘n’ roll from Good Will Remedy, and spirited fiddle tunes by Cait Jamieson—bringing new energy to a place rich in heritage and outback charm.

Lunch with the Locals 2025

Local stories, flavours and hospitality.

Lunch with the Locals brought Trail travellers to the charming town of Bollon on day four of The Outback Trail, offering a warm and welcoming taste of community life along the peaceful Wallam Creek. Set on the lawn of the Bollon Civic Centre, the day featured live music from Lloyd Saunders, artisan markets, and a cultural program led by respected Guwamu/Kooma Elder Uncle Bill Speedy and storyteller Tommy Crow. Guests enjoyed everything from picnic-style lunches to a premium Bush Tucker and Entertainment Experience, complete with a three-course meal, welcome drink, and dedicated seating. It was a relaxed afternoon of food, culture and conversation, celebrating the people and spirit of the region.

Ballads & Bush Yarns 2025

Stories and songs from the heart of the outback.

Ballads & Bush Yarns unfolded beneath the wide open skies of Charlotte Plains in Cunnamulla, offering trail-goers an intimate evening of storytelling, song and outback hospitality. Set on the century-old, family-run sheep station, the event was hosted by the welcoming Russell family and delivered a heartfelt tribute to life on the land.

As part of The Outback Trail by QLD Music Trails, the evening honoured the rich tradition of bush poetry and yarn spinning, with performances that captured the humour, grit and resilience of rural Australia. Local storytellers were joined by folk-country favourites Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham, along with celebrated country balladeer Brad Butcher, fresh from The Voice stage. Beneath a starlit sky, Ballads & Bush Yarns offered a moving and memorable celebration of outback culture, connection and country spirit.

Outback Sounds 2025

Amplifying the spirit of the Outback.

Outback Sounds took over the Charleville Showgrounds on Saturday, 8 June 2025, transforming the space into a lively, open-air celebration of country music, local talent, and western Queensland culture. As part of The Outback Trail by QLD Music Trails, the event welcomed locals and visitors alike to experience a dynamic program of live music, artisan markets, and interactive experiences in the heart of the outback.

From the opening Welcome to Country to standout sets from The Wet Whistles, Bella Mackenzie, Bronson Diamond & Greta Stanley, and headliner James Johnston, the stage came alive with powerful performances and authentic storytelling. Festival goers explored market stalls featuring local makers and First Nations artists, joined line dancing workshops with Charleville Dance House, and took in a rare solar viewing with the Charleville Cosmos Centre. Outback Sounds captured the spirit of the west—where community, creativity and country music come together under vast skies.

Magnetic Island Live 2025

One of Queensland’s most beautiful destinations.

Magnetic Island LIVE launched the Reef Trail in true tropical style, welcoming guests to the pristine shores of Magnetic Island / Yunbenun—Wulgurukaba Country—just a short 20-minute ferry ride from Townsville / Gurambilbarra. Set at the beachside bar of Nomads Backpackers, this sun-soaked event offered the perfect post-trek celebration for those who completed The Great Island Trek, as well as a warm welcome for travellers and locals alike. With ocean views, fresh food, and cold drinks on hand, it was the ultimate way to kick off the journey ahead.

The afternoon opened with the rich, soulful vocals of Amber Farnan, setting a laid-back tone that matched the island’s relaxed energy. As the sun dipped lower, Tom Busby—beloved across Queensland—took to the stage with a high-energy set, featuring brand-new tracks from his latest project. More than just a gig, Magnetic Island LIVE was a vibrant celebration of music, community, and the natural beauty of one of Queensland’s most iconic destinations.

Northern Sound 2025

Choose-your-own celebration of music.

Northern SOUND lit up Townsville’s Flinders Street precinct on Thursday, 5 June 2025, with a dynamic, choose-your-own-adventure celebration of live music, local venues, and coastal creativity. For just $20, punters roamed between intimate stages and lively bars, catching everything from foot-stomping garage rock to soulful country and folk/roots performances. As part of The Reef Trail by QLD Music Trails, Northern SOUND brought together a vibrant mix of emerging and established talent, all while showcasing the beating heart of Townsville’s music and arts scene.

With access to venues like Otherwise Bar, Townsville Brewing Co, Mad Cow Tavern, and FLNDRS, each stop along the way offered a unique atmosphere and sonic experience. From stripped-back acoustic sets to full-band energy, the event captured the diversity and spirit of the region’s artists. Alongside the music, Northern SOUND also fostered industry growth through professional development workshops run in collaboration with QMusic and the Live Music Office, reinforcing its commitment to building a thriving North Queensland music ecosystem. It was one city, one ticket, and countless discoveries.

Reef Sundowner 2025

A serene afternoon by the water’s edge.

The Reef Sundowner at Lake Proserpine welcomed guests to a serene afternoon by the water’s edge, nestled on Gia Country just 30 minutes inland from Proserpine. This free event invited trail-goers and locals alike to trade the ocean breeze for still waters and open skies, embracing a slower pace in one of the Whitsundays’ most peaceful hidden gems. Families gathered for sourdough pizza, kids played on the jumping castle, and friends connected over live folk music as the sun dipped behind the trees, casting a golden glow across the lake.

The event opened with a heartfelt performance from Harold Bowen (Gia and Ngaro Traditional Owner) and Adi Thomas (South Sea Islander and Polynesian), who shared their heritage and stories through soulful acoustic music. The stage then came alive with an energetic collaboration between local icon David Flower and Bryce Wearne of The Hillbilly Goats, setting the tone for the evening ahead. As twilight settled in, Those Folk captivated the audience with their rich harmonies and timeless storytelling. The night concluded with a warm fireside singalong, featuring American gospel, folk classics, and original songs by emerging regional artists from the Songs from the Reef program—an unforgettable end to an evening that celebrated culture, connection, and country.

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