REVEALED: 17 of Queensland’s hidden gem music festivals
Everyone has heard of Blues Fest, but there are plenty of other music festivals that fly under the radar. Catering to a wide range of tastes, they attract a loyal following and are seen by organisers as lower-risk. SEE THE 17 HIDDEN GEMS
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Festivals have been a staple of the music scene since Jimi Hendrix burned his guitar at the America’s first commercial event, the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.
The legendary Woodstock gathering, despite the mud, queues and a massive financial loss, ensured festivals were here to stay.
Festivals have helped propel some of Australia’s greatest talents, such as INXS and Paul Kelly, on to the world stage.
But after a string disastrous events in southeast Queensland in recent years, plus changes in public tastes, festivals are changing.
Festivals expert and vocalist for former band George, Katie Noonan said Queensland festivals were moving from the multi-day model back to the original one-day format.
“People’s capacity to go to multi-day festivals has diminished due to the cost of living and is getting tricky for people to afford,” she said.
“I played at both Livid and the Big Day Out.
“I’m not sure if the multi-day festival will make a comeback to pre-COVID levels, but I think we’ll return to one day festivals because it is an easier concept for people to understand and afford.”
Noonan said a festival’s success came down to many things, but particularly “a strong integral reason behind the program’’.
They also must these days feature diversity.
“That gives it a narrative which informs the whole experience as a community and place that celebrate the uniqueness of community like Port Fairy Folk Festival and Woodford Folk Festival do,” she said.
For Noonan, nothing compared to the Woodford Folk Festival.
“I have been going since I was 18 and my kids grew up there,” she said.
“It’s now my 28th year and I often go as a performer.
“I was fortunate to write the song celebrating the festival’s 35th year.
“Woodford is my happy place and it’s the best festival in Australia without a doubt for me.”
One of her favourite hidden gems was the Sunshine Sound Festival.
“We’re in our third year and we have an incredible line up featuring emerging artists like Elliott,” she said.
“This family friendly festival profiles lots of local bands and our Eumundi School of Music kids perform.
“When I see those kids on stage singing their hearts out it’s beautiful to see, plus they’re making friendships through music and that’s what I love the most of festivals.
“I have been running the musical school in Eumundi and sharing the skills of our beautiful children encourages people to sing together.”
Here are 17 of the best hidden gem Qld festivals:
1. Sunshine Sounds Festival
Set in Eumundi, this festival features local artists like Katie Noonan plus some south of the border.
The 2023 line-up includes Frente and Abby Dobson plus Leonardo’s Bride.
Just three years in the running it’s predicted to grow fast.
The Sunshine Coast Community Choir closed this years festival.
2. Yarrabah Music and Cultural Festival 2023
Heading up the stage this year is Jessica Mauboy, Electric Fields, Jessie Lloyd and Yarrabah’s own Yarrabah Brass Band.
It will be held on October 7 at Jilara Oval Jarrabah close to Cairns.
The free event is a hotspot for locals. The festival has evolved from humble beginnings, created originally to debut the newly rekindled Yarrabah Brass Band.
3. The Laneway Festival
This popular indie rock event was launched in a Melbourne’s Caledonian laneway in 2005 and has spread to five Australian cities, plus Auckland.
It is now considered a popular haunt for music lovers with somewhat of a cult following showcasing indie, rock and pop.
The St Jerome’s Laneway event took place in February at Brisbane Showgrounds and headliners included HAIM, Mallrat and Phoebe Bridgers.
This is not one to shy away from.
4. Van Jam, Willowbank
Put a placeholder in the calendar for this music festival which could provide you with the ultimate off-grid caravan and RV weekend away.
This family friendly event will have the kiddies shrill with delight while they watch a Bluey interactive experience and dedicated activities.
Check out the star studded line up including Frente, Eskimo Joe and Daryl Braithwaite.
You can partake in workshops, demos and interactive discussions.
Engage with topics like wheel bearings and different couplings and get involved in Q&A sessions for valuable insights.
Karaoke lovers will get a kick out of Rockaoke Australia which offers crowd goers the ultimate interactive entertainment experience where you become the lead singer of your very own live rock band. Learn more.
5. Sunlit Sounds
Indie legends Screamfeeder is a friend of this festival, held in September at Payne Road State School in The Gap.
Local artists like Sarah Stockholm, Renovators Delight, Terra Pines and Holy Rollercoasters appeared live on stage this year.
Music-loving pals at Subculture DJs glued it all together.
It has been a popular event with locals in recent years, attracting a large crowd of families.
The guest list is inspired by the 4ZZZ playlist and gigs at popular venues like the Zoo and Triffid.
Acts like The Far Outs, Minor Premiers and Lackadaisies will play a set this year. Learn more.
6. Day on the Green at Sirromet Wines
This music festival has become a household name and this year marks the 22nd season of the event.
People can enjoy a picnic while reveling in songs performed by The Waifs, Vika & Linda and Liz Stringer in 2023.
Audiences have basked in the glory of heavyweights on the music scene since its inception playing host to Robbie Williams, Elton John and John Farnham.
7. Blues on Broadbeach
Held on the Gold Coast, this festival draws a strong crowd of blues from Brisbane and beyond. This year the beautiful beachside community welcomed more than 65 international and national artists across 16 stages for four days of non-stop rhythm.
With a focus on authentic blues, the Saxophone takes precedence and is guaranteed to get the crowd up boogying long after the sun goes down.
The music festival also showcases home-grown talent and is free.
The 2023 line-up included Tommy Emmanuel and the Melbourne Ska Orchestra among others. Don’t miss out in 2024.
8. Cooly Rocks On
Are you a lover of the music and culture from yesteryear? Then, this is the festival for you. Rockabillies beware this will have you grooving beside Elvis Presley lookalikes galore who got caught in a cultural time warp for the fun of it.
This festival rocks on in Coolangatta annually and celebrates all things rock n’ roll from the cars to Swing Music workshops.
There’s karaoke, a 60s music tribute, a pageant and an after-party to die for.
Showstoppers this year include The Rockafellas and Cherry Divine. There’s even a car show boasting more than 900 vehicles including a Cadillac.
9. Caboolture Festival
Caboolture is a hive of activity throughout April boasting events like a Jazz and Shiraz show at Bribie Island to an Abba tribute show and a piano quest.
It’s a community hub and musical arena at various venues located across the region.
The signature event is Cruisin’ Caboolture which is held in the James Street precinct featuring a car show plus a competition with 100 plus vehicles.
10. Savannah In The Round
Cane country comes alive with 45 acts and 200 artists showcasing their work spread across three days.
It’s held in Mareeba in the Cairns Hinterland in October at the The Mareeba Rodeo Arena (also known as Kerribee Park) located just 7km from the town centre.
Featuring two rounds of the Great Northern Bullriding Series it just keeps getting better. Headline acts include living legend Jimmy Barnes and Kasey Chambers.
Bands like The Black Sorrows will have you singing along to old time favourites.
The three night event is becoming one of Queensland’s best festivals. If you’re into stargazing in a swag then take advantage of the camping available adjacent to the festival site. Learn more.
11. Cairns Music Festival
A kaleidoscope of sound can be enjoyed at the Cairns Music Festival which combines live music, theatre performances, light shows and a street party on The Esplanade.
Other highlights include a String Symphony, Gospel Choir and popular author Roald Dahl. There’s a mix of paid and free events including exhibitions, Reef Lights and a stage dedicated to upcoming local artists.
A grand parade brings thousands of people together to cheer on the unique floats.
12. Winton Way Out West
An explosion of sound can be heard echoing beyond the borders of this quintessential Queensland outback town during its annual five day shindig.
People come from all over Australia to support this regional community renowned for its dinosaurs, opals and to celebrate the place where Banjo Patterson wrote the lyrics for Waltzing Matilda.
It’s this live music festival which has people returning in droves jam packed with artists including Matt Angell and Jessica White.
There’s events like a poet’s breakfast and a dunny derby to get the crowd involved.
It’s held at the Eric Lenton Memorial Recreation Ground and tickets kick off from $69. Learn more.
13. Listen Out
This annual outdoor national dance festival was held on 23 September at Brisbane Showgrounds.
International artists like Ice Spice from the Bronx in New York joined rappers Coi Leray and JBee along with hip hop artists galore.
Listen Out has toured the country since 2013.
14. Good Things
Good Things is an alternative music festival pumped with gusto.
It attracted a massive crowd to the Brisbane Showgrounds last Sunday, December 3, headlined by Limp Bizkit.
It profiles local, national and international talent from the United States, Europe and United Kingdom, iuncluding the likes of Frenzal Rhomb.
15. Spilt Milk
The new home for this Australian event is the Gold Coast Sports Precinct and the event went off last month.
The festival promotes Australian rock, alternative rock, indie rock, hip-hop and electronic music.
Post Malone, Dom Dolla and Aitch featured this year.
The festival also profiles some artists and there are plethora of food stalls on hand.
The festival has also expanded to Perth.
16. Stradbroke Island Chamber Music Festival
Are you looking for an island escape which offers a cultural experience?
Then, this music festival could set a precedent for years ahead.
It combines classical music concerts with a range of instruments from the violin to the cello and piano plus string quartets.
It’s set on picturesque North Stradbroke Island at a range of venues.
You can soak up the tunes of a range of vocalists from Australian Soprano Sara Macliver to the music of Alma Moodie and long-term collaborators Kristin Berardi and Sam Anning.
17. Horizon Festival
This 10 day festival takes place all over the Sunshine Coast from beaches to hinterland and warehouses – the lot.
There’s music, art, theatre, dance and workshops.
You’ll find something to tickle your fancy from early morning wake up calls to cabaret shows. Learn circus skills, watch a short film event or attend a dedicated discussion about all things men.
If you share a love of stories there’s also a creative writers workshops in the heart of Beerwah. Or why not tune in for some comic relief?
First Nation’s people greet attendees in a welcome ceremony and also perform through music and dance.
There’s a dance eisteddfod, a float off finale and bubbles galore designed to entice the kiddies.
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