This was published 5 years ago
Brisbane's Riverstage turns 30 and the council wants your memories
By Lucy Stone
From Nick Cave decrying curfews, to ballet and glitter-filled festivals: Brisbane’s favourite outdoor venue is celebrating its 30th birthday.
Brisbane City Council is calling on residents to share their memories of Riverstage, from the good to the bad.
The Riverstage under construction in the late 1980s.Credit: Brisbane City Council
Riverstage, in the Botanic Gardens, was opened on September 7, 1989. Since then, it has hosted Powderfinger’s farewell show, Ed Sheeran, the Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim and plenty more.
More recently, it hosted the Prodigy's fourth-last show, just weeks prior to frontman Keith Flint's death.
More than 400 events have been held at the venue in its 30-year history, and lord mayor Adrian Schrinner said the council was putting out the call for Brisbane residents to share their memories.
“The venue’s history dates back to the 1940s Naval Store buildings which occupied the site before they were demolished in 1969 and the area became a car park until construction of the Riverstage started in 1988,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Digital copies of photographs, ticket stubs, set lists, reviews, posters, programs and videos from Brisbane Riverstage’s history are some of the things residents are being asked to donate to create a Digital Memory Box to create a lasting archive of Brisbane’s social history and live music culture.”
Nick Cave was no fan of the Riverstage's curfew when he played there in 2017.Credit: Jorge Branco
Riverstage was first opened by lord mayor Sallyanne Atkinson, with the Warana Royal New Zealand Ballet the inaugural performance the next day.
In 2017 the venue hit controversy when Nick Cave slammed the council as he seemingly cut his set short due to the venue's 10pm noise curfew.
Midnight Oil made some pointed comments about Pauline Hanson, and Florence and The Machine told everyone to hold hands.
And Paramore was sent ducking for cover after a giant electrical storm put paid to their concert.
Riverstage can host nearly 10,000 people on the grass before the stage.Credit: Brisbane City Council
The venue has a 9500-person capacity set in the outdoor precinct of the Botanic Gardens, close to QUT and backing onto the Brisbane River.
It’s not just a place for concerts, but festivals, community events and marathons as well.
Cr Schrinner said the council wanted residents to share as much as they could of the venue’s history, whether it was ticket stubs, photos, set lists or posters.
The council has set up a website for residents to share their memories. People who submit memories to the site will be asked to share their top five performances at the venue.
“The venue, which has hosted countless diverse and memorable shows and consistently delivered more to see and do, will officially celebrate its 30th anniversary during Brisbane Festival 2019,” Cr Schrinner said.
“The top 30 most popular shows will be announced ahead of the official 30th anniversary celebration.”