What’s on in Brisbane: Major Events set to wow in 2023
From Ed Sheeran to Florence and the Machine, Cirque Du Soleil and Hamilton the Musical, the big events happening in 2023 pack a serious star power punch. SEE THE FULL LIST.
Entertainment
Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News.
After years of cancelled shows, covid restrictions and closed borders, Brisbane’s 2023 major events calendar finally offers sense of the world returning to normal – as well as the renewed sense of excitement that comes with global superstars flocking to the city.
With Sir Elton having taken to the stage for the final time in Australia at Suncorp Stadium earlier this month and the Red Hot Chili Peppers wowing fans on Sunday night, there is plenty more to come.
From Harry Styles and Ed Sheeran to Florence and the Machine and Hamilton the Musical. some of the biggest names in entertainment and a number of blockbuster productions are on the bill.
A Day on the Green promoter Michael Newton said those in the industry were stoked to be touring Australia again.
“It feels so good,” Mr Newton said.
“The artists are pumped, they really want to be touring, everyone does.”
“We’re often punching above our weight in terms of acts coming here, it’s a great place to perform.”
Mr Newton said while audience confidence was bouncing back, Covid coupled with cost of living pressures were a concern for the industry decimated by the pandemic.
“Every budget line item has increased in the past year, I can tell you that.
“The international artists have had increased costs themselves; airfares, incomes, all those sort of things. We try to keep our ticket prices as reasonable as possible, but it’s a balancing act.”
TEG Dainty CEO Geoff Jones said labour shortages were an additional challenge, but the major events company was “buzzing about the year ahead”.
“We are now adept at managing these hurdles and audiences understand that during a Covid peak scheduling interruptions may result,” Mr Jones said.
“The industry is feeling energised about 2023 and off the back of Covid we have embraced collaboration and innovation like never before to ensure live entertainment flourishes.”
“Audiences can also expect some announcements in the coming weeks on major international acts set to tour our shores.”
Queenslanders are ready to embrace the resurgence of big acts; an October survey by the Audience Outlook Monitor found Queensland leads the country in confidence post-Covid with 77 per cent keen to see arts and cultural events whenever permitted compared with 71 per cent nationally.
A spokesperson for the Queensland Performing Arts Centre said they had noticed the uptick in crowds seeking live entertainment.
“QPAC has seen a steady increase in industry and consumer confidence over the last few years with a bumper year ahead,” they said.
“In terms of shows presented at QPAC, 2023 is already busier than the past two years with potentially even more stellar productions set to be announced throughout the year.”
Take a look at the mega line-up of superstars, festivals, theatre extravaganzas and more coming to Brisbane this year.
JANUARY
Six The Musical
Now until February 19
QPAC
Think you know Tudor history? Think again. Remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak, these Tudor Queens turned Pop Princesses retell their story in this high-octane 75-minute pop musical which has taken the world by storm, with over 500 million soundtrack streams and two Tony Awards.
Hamilton the Musical
From January 27
QPAC
It’s one of the most hyped musicals in the world for good reason; with a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway and a retelling of American founding father Alexander Hamilton that has shifted the way we think about history.
Bat out of Hell: The Rock Musical
January 30
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Based on one of the best-selling albums of all time, the award-winning wild child rock musical features a powerhouse of hits including ‘You Took The Words Right Out of My Mouth,’ and ‘I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)’ in an exhilarating two and a half-hour rock event.
FEBRUARY
The Vamps: 10 Years Of The Vamps – the Greatest Hits Tour
1 February
The Tivoli
The Vamps perform all the hits from across the decade that have made them become one of the most loved and celebrated pop bands in the UK and Australia, including ‘Somebody To You’ and ‘All Night’.
Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny
2 February, 23-26 April
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (February)
QPAC (April)
Star of the UK’s most streamed Netflix comedy special of 2021, Jimmy is back on the road with a show that warns having political correctness at a comedy show is like having health and safety at a rodeo.
Laneway Festival
4 February
Brisbane Showgrounds
Laneway has well and truly established itself as the go-to festival for a day of indie rock and pop music. This year brings headliners Haim, Joji, Phoebe Bridgers, Finneas, and Fontaines D.C.
Vengaboys: 25th Anniversary Tour
9 February
The Fortitude Music Hall
The Vengabus is coming, and it is bringing 90s Europop-royalty to the Fortitude Music Hall where fans will enjoy an epic three-hour extravaganza of hits like ‘We Like to Party!’ and ‘Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!’.
Armin Van Buuren
10 February
The Fortitude Music Hall
One of music’s biggest DJ’s and producers, Dutch artist Armin Van Buuren performs his trance dance hits in his only solo Australian show.
10 February, Ben Harper, QPAC
Three time Grammy Award winner Ben Harper performs fan favourites like ‘Diamonds on the Inside’ alongside tracks from his new album ‘Bloodline Maintenance’, which applies the inventiveness of hip-hop to longstanding paradigms of soul, blues and jazz - continuing Harper’s long history as one of this generation’s most prominent protest singers.
Darren Hayes: Do You Remember?’ Tour – 25 Years of Savage Garden, Solo Hits And More!
11 February
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Fans will embark on a journey from the first time they ever heard the phrase “Chica Cherry Cola” all the way through to the present day, reminding Australian audiences that this national treasure is not only a prolific hit-maker, but also a consummate performer.
John Mulaney: From Scratch Tour
12 February
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
Two-time Emmy and WGA award-winning writer, actor, and comedian John Mulaney shows why he’s been a fan favourite comedian for two decades.
Dave Chappelle
15 February
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Dave Chappelle is recognised as one of the greatest comedians of all time, earning the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2019, three consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Comedy Album and five Primetime Emmy Awards.
Ed Sheeran: + - = ÷ x Tour
17, 18, 19 February
Suncorp Stadium
Pop superstar Ed Sheeran is back with a massive run of stadium shows as part of his + - = ÷ x Tour (pronounced “The Mathematics Tour”), where fans will be treated to an array of tracks off his latest album “=” plus hits from across his career like ‘Shape of You’ and ‘Perfect’.
Icehouse (with The Psychedelic Furs)
18 February
Riverstage Brisbane
Icehouse’s unofficial Australian anthem, ‘Great Southern Land’, is turning 40 and the band is heading to Brisbane to celebrate alongside The Psychedelic Furs - the British 80s post punk icons behind ‘Love My Way’ and ‘Pretty in Pink’.
Sting: My Songs
19 February
Sirromet Winery, Mount Cotton
Legendary singer-songwriter Sting returns to Australia for the first time in nearly seven years on his critically acclaimed tour - an exuberant and dynamic show featuring his most beloved songs, written throughout the 17-time Grammy Award winner’s illustrious career both with The Police and as a solo artist.
Empire of the Sun
25 February
The Fortitude Music Hall
Multi-platinum selling Australian alt-electro pioneers Empire Of The Sun (Luke Steele & Nick Littlemore) perform their first Aussie shows in six years, with hits like ‘Alive’, ‘We Are The People’, and ‘Walking On A Dream’.
Sugababes
27 February
The Fortitude Music Hall
The Sugababes are one of the biggest-selling British girl groups of all time, with six Number One UK singles, millions of global sales and multiple multi-platinum albums - and now they’re back in Australia for the first time in over two decades.
Harry Styles: Love on Tour
28 February
Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast
Grammy Award-winning, global superstar Harry Styles (formerly of One Direction fame) performs Love on Tour, packed with his global hit pop-rock singles including ‘As It Was’, ‘Sign of the Times’, ‘Lights Up’ and ‘Adore You’.
Charli XCX: ‘Crash’ the Live Tour,
28 February
The Tivoli
Iconic global alternative-pop star Charli XCX tours ‘Crash’, her fifth studio album which debuted on the ARIA Albums Chart at #1 and scored her first UK #1 album.
MARCH
tick, tick…BOOM!
1-5 March
QPAC
Tick, tick… BOOM! tells the story of a struggling composer named Jon (played by Packed to the Rafters star Hugh Sheridan) living in New York in 1990, facing a crossroads, and grappling with one of life’s toughest questions – what to do with the time we have?
Bon Iver,
2 March
Riverstage Brisbane
The mesmerising Bon Iver is back with their breathtaking live performances, in the first Australian tour since 2009 for the revered indie folk act.
The Proclaimers
2 March,
QPAC
Twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid’s enduring appeal across generations has seen them enjoy huge success across the globe; now Brisbane fans will be treated to their new album Dentures Out as well as quintessential favourites including “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” and “I’m On My Way”.
AURORA
5 March
The Fortitude Music Hall
Powerful Norwegian alternative pop songstress AURORA is returning to Australia with a host of new songs from her critically acclaimed 2022 album, The Gods We Can Touch.
Snoop Dogg: ‘I Wanna Thank Me’ tour
7 March
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Over 25 years Hip Hop icon Snoop Dogg has cemented his undisputed influence on music with chart-topping, multi-platinum records - now he’s performing in Australia for the first time since 2014 with his 17th album ‘I Wanna Thank Me’.
Backstreet Boys: DNA World Tour
8 March
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Having enthralled fans for more than 25 years the Backstreet Boys will bring their signature flawless choreography, harmony-laden vocal prowess and arsenal of megawatt hits such as; ‘I Want It That Way’, ‘Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) and ‘As Long As You Love Me’, plus songs from their tenth studio album, DNA.
Lorde: The Solar Power Tour
8 March
Riverstage Brisbane
For the first time in six years, global powerhouse Lorde will make her anticipated return to venues across Australia as part of her global Solar Power World Tour, performing songs from the titular album plus hits like ‘Royals’ and ‘Team’.
Carly Rae Jepsen
9 March
The Tivoli
She shot to fame with 2012 megahit ‘Call Me Maybe’, now the Canadian pop-star is back with her buoyant set of dancefloor tunes and feel-good joy from beloved new album The Loneliest Time.
Palm Tree Music Festival
11 March
Riverstage Brisbane
Palm Tree Festival promises to bring the ‘dream of the tropics’ around the world - and if that means some of the biggest names in electronic house music it delivers with Kygo, Tiesto and Lost Frequencies on the bill.
My Chemical Romance
13, 14 March
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
After 10 long years punk rock powerhouse My Chemical Romance is back, performing high energy hits including from triple-platinum album ‘The Black Parade’.
OneRepublic
14 March
The Fortitude Music Hall
Grammy nominated, multi-platinum selling band OneRepublic have provided some of the most memorable and successful pop-rock hits of their generation including chart and streaming smashes “Apologize”, “Stop and Stare” and “Rescue Me”.
Rob Brydon: A Night of Songs and Laughter
14, 30, 31 March
QPAC
Award-winning comedian Rob Brydon and his eight-piece band will perform songs from Tom Waits to Tom Jones, and Guys and Dolls to Elvis (and almost everything in between), alongside Rob’s usual warmth and humour as well as some of his famed gallery of voices.
Florence + The Machine: Dance Fever Tour
17, 18 March
Brisbane Entertainment Centre (17 March)
Sirromet Winery, Mount Cotton (18 March)
Multi-award winning English indie-rock band Florence + The Machine are celebrating their upcoming fifth album Dance Fever, packed with the emotional soaring vocals and dreamy, dramatic production fans know and love.
CMC Rocks Queensland
17-19 March
Willowbank Raceway, Ipswich
Australia’s leading country music festival showcases some of the genre’s top talent, including Morgan Wallen, Kip Moore and Zac Brown Band’s only Australian show.
‘Weird Al’ Yankovic: The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour
20, 21 March
QPAC
Making his first concert excursion across international waters in over eight years, the world’s foremost musical satirist and five-time Grammy-winner foregoes his usual high-octane, big-production show with an intimate evening of musical comedy focusing on original (non-parody) fan favourites from his 14-album catalogue.
Pentatonix
22 March
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Three-time Grammy-Award winning a cappella group Pentatonix have redefined the genre, collaborating with the likes of Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson, and bringing their stunning vocals to the big-screen with a cameo in Pitch Perfect 2.
Kevin Hart: Reality Check Tour
25 March
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Emmy and Grammy-nominated superstar comedian, box office sensation and best-selling author Kevin Hart is here with his Reality Check Tour, proving why he’s one of this century’s most successful stand-ups.
Rod Stewart: The Hits! (with Cindy Lauper and Jon Stevens)
25, 26 March
A Day on the Green: Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton
British rock royalty Sir Rod Stewart will perform a massive 2-hour set from his vast catalogue of hits including ‘Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?’ and ‘Maggie May’, while support Cyndi Lauper will take the stage for an hour, playing her equally iconic ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’ and ‘Time After Time’.
Knotfest
26 March
Brisbane RNA Showgrounds
“14 bands, the Slipknot Museum, and thousands of maggots” promises Knotfest, the metal festival featuring legendary Slipknot, Parkway Drive, and Megadeth.
Ice Cube, Cypress Hill and The Game,
28 March
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
In a holy union of 90s Hip-Hop, these legendary rappers bring a large scale, next level production that will feature iconic tracks such as ‘It Was a Good Day’, ‘Insane in the Brain’, and ‘How We Do’.
APRIL
Don McLean
1 April
Fortitude Music Hall
Don McLean is one of the most revered and respected songwriters in American history, most recognised for his song, ‘American Pie’ which has been named as one of the top five songs of the 20th Century.
The 1975
15 April
Riverstage Brisbane
The 1975 are back down under for the first time since their second album tipped the English group into global stardom in 2016, making them one of the most successful pop-rock groups working today.
alt-J: The Dream Tour
27 April
Riverstage Brisbane
One of the most successful British bands of the millennium, alt-J’s ‘The Dream Tour’ promises an electrifying live show that aims to bring friends together and leave the audience with the feeling that nothing in life could be any better than it is right now.
Sir Simon Rattle Conducts the London Symphony Orchestra
28, 29 April
QPAC
Among the world’s finest orchestras, the LSO commences its highly anticipated Australian tour at QPAC at the baton of internationally revered conductor Sir Simon Rattle, performing Adams, Debussy, Ravel, and Mahler’s Seventh.
Brisbane Comedy Festival,
28 April - 28 May,
Across the Brisbane Powerhouse, The Tivoli and The Fortitude Music Hall
Australia’s fastest growing comedy festival plays host to one-liners, whimsy and tall tales from some of the most hilarious local, national and international comedians.
MAY
Dylan Moran: We Got This
4, 5 May
QPAC
The brand new show from BAFTA and Perrier award-winning comedian Dylan Moran promises to be a joyously furious romp through the frustration and folly of modern day life.
Earth Frequency
12-15 May
Willowbank Raceway, Ipswich
From its origins as a small bush-doof in 2005, Earth Frequency has grown to one of Queensland’s biggest alternative events featuring arts, education, market stalls, and a range of music from psytrance to reggae.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
From 16 May
QPAC
Winner of 10 Tony Awards, Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza featuring over 70 songs including many of the iconic hits from the movie, as well as additions from Adele, Katy Perry, Sia, Beyonce, Rihanna and more
JUNE
Julia Morris: 75 Years in the Business
3 June
QPAC
Julia Morris is a household name thanks to her multifaceted career as an award-winning stand-up, actor, TV presenter, two-time reality show winner and author - now Australia’s First Lady of Comedy in her triumphant return to the live stage.
10CC: The Ultimate Greatest Hit Tour
9 June
Fortitude Music Hall
In promotional material for their tour 10CC leader Graham Gouldman said they were performing “Hit after hit after hit. It’s relentless. We show no mercy”. How could it be otherwise with a back catalogue that includes “The Things We Do For Love”, “Rubber Bullets”, and “Dreadlock Holiday” with its instantly recognisable chorus “I don’t like cricket – I love it!”.
Michael Buble: Higher tour
20, 21 June
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Multi-award-winning, multi-Platinum-selling global superstar Michael Bublé will perform selections from his hotly anticipated 11th studio album, Higher, and a selection of his original smash hits alongside his trademark innovative takes on the great classics.
Taylor Tomlinson: The Have it All Tour
22 June
QPAC
Taylor Tomlinson is on her way to Australia for her very first time after exploding onto the international stage with her hour-long comedy special, Quarter-Life Crisis, being named Best of 2020 by New York Times.
JULY
Cirque du Soleil: Crystal,
21, 22 & 23 July
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Experience world-renown Cirque du Soleil’s signature style of acrobatics in uncharted territory with Crystal – a breakthrough ice experience that blurs the boundaries between gliding sports and circus arts. Gymnasts and skaters perform acrobatics on the ice and in the air, seamlessly combining multiple disciplines together, creating a stunningly unique production.
AUGUST
Kitty Flanagan
8-20 August
Powerhouse
You’ve seen her on Fisk, Utopia and Have You Been Paying Attention? She also wrote the best-selling book, 488 Rules for Life but now it’s time for Kitty to get back where she belongs. On the stage, doing stand-up.
Luke Combs
11, 12 August,
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Country superstar and reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs is kicking off the Aussie leg of his world tour in Brisbane, delivering his explosive live show with hits like ‘Beautiful Crazy’, and ‘When It Rains It Pours’.
OCTOBER
Delta Goodrem
3, 4 October
QPAC
2023 marks an incredible milestone for one of Australia’s most talented and successful artists, Delta Goodrem, as she celebrates the 20th anniversary of her record-breaking debut album Innocent Eyes, which became the highest-selling debut album in Australian history.
The Australian Ballet: Swan Lake
24-28 October
QPAC
Exploring the ballet’s themes of yearning, betrayal and love through a refreshing new lens, this adaptation will embody the beauty and power of the art form as the centrepiece of the Australian Ballet’s 60th anniversary celebrations.
NOVEMBER
Sam Smith: Gloria the tour
8 November
Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Four time Grammy winning pop superstar Sam Smith tours ‘Gloria’, their fourth studio album which promises to be their boldest statement yet.
Robbie Williams: 25 Years of Hits
18, 19 November
A Day on the Green: Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton
Robbie Williams is one of the finest male pop stars of his generation, having sold more than 85 million albums, 14 UK number one albums and 14 number one singles - now with his new album XXV Robbie celebrates 25 years as a solo artist.
DECEMBER
Belinda Carlisle: Decades
1 December
The Tivoli
The Decades tour will feature all of Belinda’s hits from her incredible career that started in 1978 with the Go-Go’s where she achieved instant stardom with hits including ‘We Got The Beat’ and ‘Our Lips Are Sealed’, to a solo artist where she dominated global charts with ‘Heaven Is A Place On Earth’ and ‘Summer Rain’.
‘I got my son drunk, and I didn’t mean to’: Radio star’s parenting blunder
Brisbane radio presenter Kip Wightman has revealed how an innocent mistake led to his five-year-old son getting drunk at the dinner table.
Timely take on Munich Olympics terrorist crisis
The edge-of-your-seat factual drama September 5 takes viewers behind the scenes in one of the Olympic Games’ darkest hours with a message that still resonates today.