SOUND COLLECTIVE FESTIVAL 2027

ROOTS, REGGAE AND ISLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED FOR
BROADWATER PARKLANDS IN FEBRUARY

An exciting new music festival that celebrates roots, rhythms and undeniable soul, is coming to Queensland in 2027, with SOUND COLLECTIVE making its debut with an all-star line up from Australia, Aotearoa and beyond.
 
Held at the Broadwater Parklands on Saturday 20 February, the festival is swinging big in its debut year, bringing together powerhouse performers including MAOLI, STAN WALKER, KATCHAFIRE, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT and more together for an unmissable day and evening.
 
 Sound Collective emerges as a festival that not only speaks to the massive community of fans here in Australia for this style of music, but also establishes itself with the aim of supporting upcoming artists as well as genre legends and superstars.
 
Says promoter Scott Mesiti, “I just love this genre and its audience. It has a cruisey simplicity to it that almost puts a calming spell over the crowd. The crossover of music attracts such a diverse range of cultures which is how it got its name: Sound Collective.”
 
“What a coup, securing the best soul festival for the coast with an incredible line-up of artists and performances,’’ said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.
 
“The event is billed as a ‘one-day reggae and Polynesian cultural festival’ and I know it will attract the best artists from Australia and Aotearoa to the big stage at Broadwater Parklands. Diversifying our events calendar is key to attracting great events to the city and the Sound Collective fits the bill perfectly. Make a date with the Gold Coast in February and bring the family for 10 hours of soul, great food, performances and fun.’’
 
Leading the Sound Collective lineup for 2027 is Hawaiian-born superstar MAOLI. Achieving mainstream success with his unique mix of island reggae and country soul music, MAOLI has become one of island music’s most successful names. Across a decade-plus long recording career, MAOLI’s work has accrued well over one billion global streams, carrying pride for his people and storytelling into each project. His latest record, MMO3, completes an impressive trilogy of records, redefining MAOLI’s appeal for new waves of fans and long time followers alike.
 
“I’m so excited to come back down and bring everyone an amazing show. Australia has become like a second home.” MAOLI
 
STAN WALKER (Tūhoe, Ngāi Te Rangi, and Ngāti Ranginui) has proven himself to be one of Aotearoa’s most dynamic and respected contemporary artists. Having navigated a career on stages and screens, in both Australia and Aotearoa, for almost two decades, his creativity has continued to show ongoing dedication to his roots and māoritanga. His albums have earned him multiple Gold and Platinum certifications, as well as numerous awards accolades but for Walker, the work simply continues as he pours himself into new musical projects in 2026, including contributions to Moana: Voices Across The Ocean.
 
"It's been two years since I last played a Gold Coast festival, so trust me—I am pumped to be back! I'm rolling in with brand-new music and my full band, and I'm genuinely stoked to share the stage with Maoli and the rest of this incredible lineup at Broadwater Parklands on February 20th. This one is going to be very special." STAN WALKER
 
Māori roots reggae group KATCHAFIRE has long been a staple on many island music soundtracks and in the lives of many fans since their debut back in 2002. Their music, a fusion of nostalgic energy and fresh, contemporary stylings, has taken them across the globe. A true touring phenomenon, KATCHAFIRE have earned a worldwide reputation as one of the best roots reggae bands in the game, performing regularly across the Pacific, Australia, Europe and North America, while keeping their roots firmly in Aotearoa.
 
Grammy-winning American hip hop pioneers ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT make their return to Australia, after reigniting crowds of new and longtime fans out here in 2025. Their music, a wonderful blend of socially-conscious lyricism and insatiable rhythms, earned them a spot in US music history: they were the first hip hop act to win the Grammy Award for Best New Artist, while also winning Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1993. Since then, the group’s story has continued to evolve; ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT’s reunion in 2000 has seen them be able to engage with a whole new sonic landscape while still spreading their messages of awareness, hope and engagement in their unique way.
 
SOJA, formed in Arlington, Virginia, in 1997, have themselves emerged as a key group of the American reggae and roots-rock wave. The Grammy-nominated group have consistently evolved across a number of excellent releases; from their debut EP in 2000, through to their latest album Without Surrender, SOJA has proven time and again their long-standing appeal. Carrying messages of unity and peace through their music, the band’s blend of traditional roots reggae, dub, dancehall and more has made them an unmissable live presence.
 
Award winning all-female R&B trio A.R.T. has become one of Aotearoa’s most exciting exports. Hailing from Porirua, the dynamic vocal group - Anastasia, Rosetta and Tiresa (T-R3X) - have been singing together since 2013, their blend of R&B, pop and soul music gaining widespread popularity in Aotearoa and across the Pacific through viral covers and the release of their powerful debut track ‘When He Was Mine’ in 2024. A.R.T. have since continued to build on their early successes, winning at the Pacific Music Awards and touring as headliners and supporting the likes of Josh Tatofi and more.
 
From the Gold Coast, nine-piece roots reggae group BRADAMON BAND wasted no time in generating formidable hype around their music. From collaborations with the likes of House of Shem, to powerful single drops of their own, the group has since become a mainstay on Aotearoa music charts as they have in playlists thanks to inspired reggae covers and their own rhythm-driven island reggae compositions.
 
Breakout soulful R&B singer from Southwest Sydney, RIAH is fast becoming one of the city’s most exciting young voices. Of Aboriginal, Tongan, Fijian and Italian descent, RIAH came to the attention of many when she won the 2024 triple j Unearthed High Indigenous Initiative and was then handpicked by The Kid LAROI to perform alongside him at his SXSW Sydney showcase. She has gone on to support the likes of Budjerah, 3% and BARKAA while releasing striking music including tracks like ‘New Day’ and ‘Motherslove’ to great response.
 
In addition to an already stacked lineup Sound Collective will also welcome a local opener through a festival competition - more details to follow!
 
 
SOUND COLLECTIVE 2027
 
Pre-sales commence 9am AEST, Thursday 17 September
General public ticket sales commence 9am AEST Friday 18 September
Tickets and information via https://megatix.com.au/events/sound-collective  
 
BROADWATER PARKLANDS, GOLD COAST
SATURDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2027
 
MAOLI
STAN WALKER
KATCHAFIRE
ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
SOJA
A.R.T.
BRADAMON BAND
RIAH
LOCAL COMPETITION WINNER