Then Brother Ali arrived on the stage and somehow lifted the energy again. “Brisbane, are you in the house tonight? Did you come here to celebrate tonight?” Yes. Apparently, we fucking did. For a man who had just told us he had almost not been allowed into the country because of allegations surrounding the messages in his work, Brother Ali spent an extraordinary amount of his Brisbane show making people feel loved.

The dual headlining experience of Bush and Shinedown was not to be missed. It proved that rock still has power as the bands delivered the energy, the passion, the unmistakable voices that once blared through Australian radio and teenagers’ bedrooms in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The kind of feral drop you feel hit your body before your eardrums have caught up with what the fuck just happened. Beauty, darkness and chaos followed as HEALTH completely let loose, with Duzsik eventually finishing the night with a crowd surf.

It is not often that you can say a band or musicians were better live than on recording, but with Lebanon Hanover you can. As a newbie to the world of the darkwave post-punk duo, I was unsure what to expect.

The Tanzneid Tour saved its biggest party for Brisbane. Electric Callboy, Ice Nine Kills and Coldrain delivered an end-of-tour blowout that had Riverstage bouncing from start to finish.

The Damned turned The Tivoli into a celebration of British punk, with a crowd reliving their youth and a band that showed no signs of slowing down.

Cecilia went to see Suzanne Vega’s sold-out Brisbane show and found a setlist that was like a chocolate box selection of hits and fan favourites. Forty years into her career, Suzanne Vega remains a singular talent, with new songs that are vital and so good.

Ash’s ‘1977’ was really a “no-skips” album. Thirty years later, the band delivered it from beginning to end with the same energy, noise, heat and drive of garage rock, belting out one of the best albums written in the 1990s.

The boys, Skindred, are back in town! Benji Webbe’s band - Mikey Demus, Arya Goggin, and Tommy Gleeson were unleashed on a sold-out crowd at The Triffid. It was an end-of-tour blow-out gig! Skindred is a band that need to be experienced live: they are the best fun you can have with your clothes on or with your t-shirt off!

The Princess Theatre was packed, the crowd was buzzing and Ocean Sleeper turned the place into party central! With Outloved, Vana and Nevertel along for the ride, Brisbane was treated to one massively entertaining night.

There was a commanding confidence to Bury Tomorrow that quickly turned The Tivoli into a room of loyal metal disciples. Dani Winter-Bates delivered some of the best crowd engagement this reviewer has seen from a headliner in a long time.

BIGSOUND 2026 Night Three was a race across Fortitude Valley, packed with surprises, discoveries and plenty of “you have to pick and be happy with the choices you make” moments.

From Jem Cassar-Daley and Blinder to Ngaiire, Cat Piss, Ladyhawke, Supernew and a final late-night set from Piper Butcher, Cecilia squeezed every last bit out of her final night at BIGSOUND.

BIGSOUND Day Two was another huge day of musical discovery. Holystone should be on your radar, Milly Strange commanded the crowd’s devoted attention, Queenie showed exactly why everyone was talking about her, and Public Figures brought the energy, powerful guitar riffs and attitude.

It was a sharp start to BIGSOUND 2026. Pash kicked off the BIGSOUND party, Peach Fuzz delivered another blistering set, Zipporah’s vocals were amazing and Salty brought her high-energy choreography, undeniable stage presence and infectious pop-rock music. One very happy crowd!

The Princess Theatre transformed into a bubbling and swirling mosh pit of theatrical madness and face paint fury as Avatar brought their ‘Don’t Go In The Forest Tour’ to Brisbane. They were joined by Pyrefly to deliver a gig of uncompromising force.

“We have been doing this since 2013...and we have been so lucky.” Ocean Grove brought their genre-bending Oddworld to Brisbane for an end-of-tour blowout, with Cane Hill, Deficit and Blinder turning a packed Princess Theatre into four very different worlds of heavy music.

A sold-out crowd. An amazing pumped-up mix of in-your-face pop-punk blended with classic rock. South Arcade and Whitt’s End delivered an awesome night from start to finish. Brisbane really does go off!

Slayyyter didn't just bring the Wor$t Girl In The World Tour to Brisbane—she owned it. Backed by a blistering live band, stunning production and a crowd hanging on every moment, the pop disruptor delivered a performance that felt every bit like a superstar claiming her crown.

A sold-out Black Box Theatre, a confident performance and a band beginning to look like rock stars. Karma Police launched Pale and Blue in front of family, friends and fans with a set that showcased just how much they have grown.

Some gigs are loud. Some gigs are heavy. Then there are nights like Thursday night at The Tivoli for Wage War, where the entire room comes to a silent agreement the only acceptable response is absolute metal gremlin chaos.