What’s on Mackay this weekend: Events, shows, concerts from February 21-23 and beyond

Looking to head out and check out Mackay’s thriving arts and culture scene? Here’s what’s on this weekend, and the weeks to come.

Comedian Anh Do will bring his best-selling memoir, The Happiest Refugee, to life in a stand-up show at the MECC on March 13.

Looking for something to do this weekend, or plan your next few in advance? Here’s a list of all shows, concerts, performances in Mackay across comedy, live music, and even things for the kids.

Want to get the word out for your next event? Contact [e-mail].

SAME PAINS

Same Pains

When: Friday, February 21, 8-11.30pm

Where: McGuire’s Hotel

What’s happening: The Townsville and Mackay band is fresh off a nomination at the Queensland Music Award nomination. Following their first interstate shows alongside Diamond Construct and hitting the stages last year at Big Sound and Rhythm and the Reef, Same Pains will be joined by Sedative and Zuko for a live performance.

How to book: Humanitix

Ancient tales inspire show

When: Friday, February 21, 7.30pm

Where: MECC

What’s happening: Inspired by ancient stories of the wet tropics, a First Nations-led circus ensemble is bringing their latest production to Mackay. Circa Cairns’ The Wet charts the green ant’s journey to higher ground through to the breaking of the storm during the monsoon season in a dynamic acrobatic show.

How to book: themecc.com.au

Mick Woodbridge

When: Saturday, February 22, 2pm

Where: Seabreeze Hotel

What’s happening: Mick Woodbridge will take to the stage to fire up the weekend vibes.

Heath Milner

Where: McGuire’s Hotel

When: Saturday, February 22, 7pm

What’s happening: Heath Milner is set to play his first band show in Mackay since 2019, for the country night in the beer garden.

Reece Mastin

When: Saturday, February 22, 7- 11pm

Where: Arcadia Bar

What’s happening: After winning the X Factor in 2011 as a 16-year-old, Reece Mastin has carved out an enviable career, boasting two platinum #1 albums and three consecutive chart-topping singles. He is bringing his One Night Stands tour to the region to play hits from his growing catalogue following an
18-month tour with sold-out shows throughout Australia and
New Zealand.

How to book: trybooking.com

The Orangutans

When: Sunday, February 23, 2pm

Where: Seabreeze Hotel

What’s happening: The Orangutans are set to swing in to entertain the patrons for the Sunday session.

Karaoke Under The Stars

When: Friday, February 28, 6.30-10.30pm

Where: Souths Suburban Bowls Club

What’s happening: The kids can join the fun and sing their favourite songs with Karaoke Under The Stars.

Combs vs Wallen Night

When: Friday, February 28, 9pm

Where: Confessions Nightclub

What’s happening: DJs will be playing tracks from two of the biggest country artists as well as other bangers at the Luke Combs vs Morgan Wallen Appreciation Night.

How to book: Moshtix

Raise The Roof

When: Friday, February 28, 7-11pm

Where: Blacks Beach Tavern

What’s happening: Patrons can belt out their favourite tracks with the team from Karaoke Under The Stars.

Rosco To Hit The Stage

When: Friday, February 28, 7pm

Where: Seabreeze Hotel

What’s happening: Rosco is ready to celebrate the end of the week with a live performance.

The Eagles Greatest Hits

When: Saturday, March 1, 7.30pm

Where: MECC

What’s happening: A two-hour live tribute concert will take a trip through the Eagles greatest hits, including Take it to the Limit, Lyin’ Eyes, New Kid in Town and Hotel California. The six-piece band is led by Whalen Hughes and David Thompson as Don Henley and Glenn Frey.

How to book: themecc.com.au

McGuires Official Relaunch Party

When: Saturday, March 1, 6pm

Where: McGuire’s Hotel

What’s happening: Australian DJ and music producer Will Sparks is set to headline the McGuire’s Official Relaunch Party. After making a name for himself pioneering the Melbourne Bounce genre, a subgenre of electrohouse, he rose to Australian and international fame with his 2013 hit, Ah Yeah!.

How to book: Oztix

Brittany-Elise took on Australia's biggest country music competition in 2022. Picture: Brittany Elise

Brittany Elise

When: Sunday, March 2, 2pm

Where: Seabreeze Hotel

What’s happening: Country music recording artist and songwriter Brittany Elise, who won the Gympie Music Muster’s Talent Search and was a Toyota Star Maker grand finalist, is set to return for a live performance.

Tina Jackson, Eleanor Stankiewicz and Christopher Vernon in The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show. Picture: James Taggart

Very Hungry Caterpillar

When: Tuesday, March 4, 6pm and Wednesday, March 5, 9.30am and 11.30am

Where: MECC

What’s happening: The beloved children’s book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, will be brought to life in a production featuring more than 75 puppets. As well as author Eric Carle’s famous tale, the show will include three other stories from the writer, including Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, Ten Little Rubber Ducks, and The Very Busy Spider.

How to book: themecc.com.au

Anh Do, The Happiest Refugee is coming back to the MECC by popular demand

Anh Do – The Happiest Refugee Live

When: Thursday, March 13, 7.30pm

Where: MECC Auditorium

What’s happening: A journey of surviving pirate attacks, dehydration and internment in a refugee camp to become one of our most popular entertainers will take centre stage at the MECC.

Anh Do’s show based on his best-selling book, The Happiest Refugee, combines stand-up comedy with real life stories, photos and filmed

pieces to retell his arrival in Australia at the age of three on a small fishing boat packed with other Vietnamese refugees.

Do refused to let the ordeal destroy him, overcoming this adversity with a determination to make the most of his life. He went on to study business law and six months shy of finishing his double degree, he decided to follow his true passion as a comedian.

In 2010, he released his memoir detailing his journey from war-torn Vietnam to Australia, winning Australian Book of the Year, Biography of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and Indie Book of the Year.

How to book: themecc.com.au

Frenchy on tour

When: Thursday, March 13, 7.30pm

Where: Seabreeze Hotel

What’s happening: Celebrating a decade of delivering his trademark brand of stand-up comedy to keep his growing fanbase guessing, Frenchy is bringing his latest production. His Embrace The Chaos show is set to muse over the more absurd aspects of modern life with his dark jokes, stories and riffs.

How to book: Oztix

Bjorn Again

When: Saturday, March 29, 8pm

Where: MECC

What’s happening: The ever-popular songs of Swedish supergroup ABBA will be brought to life in authentic style to mark the 50th anniversary of their Eurovision Song Contest win in 1974 with Waterloo. To celebrate the milestone, acclaimed tribute group Bjorn Again are set to bring their Waterloo Anniversary Tour to the MECC.

How to book: themecc.com.au

Morning Melodies

When: Friday, April 4, 11am

Where: MECC

What’s happening: Six-time Golden Guitar Award winner Melinda Schneider will headline Morning Melodies. The first set will feature songs from some of country music’s most celebrated female singers, followed by a performance of Schneider’s own chart-topping and Golden Guitar Award-winning tracks as well as songs from her forthcoming new studio album.

How to book: themecc.com.au

Originally published as What’s on Mackay this weekend: Events, shows, concerts from February 21-23 and beyond