After spending four months in Brisbane at the back end of 2014 and then re-visiting before I flew back to the UK in July 2015, I realised the place had become like a second home to me. I felt weirdly attached to Brissy, and the familiarity and sentimentalism I experienced upon my brief return made me wish I’d made more of my time there.
Going with that thought, had I actually made more of my time in Queensland’s capital, I would’ve spent it doing the things I love and the things I’m most passionate about; going to gigs, checking out art exhibitions, people watching in cafes; getting involved in creative workshops and learning more about the arts culture that is continually growing in the city.
Should I visit Bris-Vegas again which I wholeheartedly intend to do, I will definitely be immersing myself in the thriving music scene; and on that note – with a little help from some Brisbane-based pals – I’ve compiled a list of the best places to head to for bangin’ beats, gigs, and a right good shin-dig.
Go lose yourself in the music!
- The Motor Room.
Location: Corner of Mollison and Boundary Street, West End.
Open Fridays and Saturdays 4pm-10pm, and the occasional Sunday (see www.motorroom.com.au for more details).
This free live music venue is situated within the Boundary Street Markets in the trendy West End. Decked-out with a shipping-container for a bar, a 200m² graffiti mural, new and vintage furniture, and pro-lighting and audio equipment, it’s the venue everyone is talking about. I love The Motor Room and not just because the gigs are free (well, mainly because the gigs are free) but because it’s right at the heart of the night markets which include street food and pop-up shops: food, arty-farty clothes and gifts, AND live music? Now there’s a slice of cultural paradise if ever I heard of one.
- The Tivoli.
Location: 52 Costin Street, Fortitude Valley.
Jarryd James and Meg Mac are two of the newest and biggest breakthrough Aussie names to be playing at this fully licenced theatre-style auditorium in December 2015, with a host of other exciting artists set to play early in the New Year.
Built in 1917 and restored in a crisp Art-Deco style, The Tivoli boasts top of the range facilities and promises a warm, welcoming atmosphere. With UB40 playing this week to a sold-out crowd, The 1975 and Hot Chip setting the venue alight in January, and Jose Gonzalez and Fat Freddy’s Drop due to play in February, The Tivoli is up there with the best of the best when it comes to live music gigs.
Tickets to events can be purchased through ticketmaster.
- The Foundry.
Location: 228 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley.
Thursday – Sunday 5pm – 5am.
This two-level complex offers a 300-strong live band room, a bar and pool room, and beer garden to boot. It’s also home to Foundry Records and Foundry Studios and has become a hub for touring bands. Probably one of the more stylish gig venues in Brisbane, its unique design means gigs here rarely go forgotten or unnoticed. Built by musicians for the sole purpose of music and art, as well as the popular bar and live room, The Foundry has 20 creative studios incorporated into the building.
The Belligerents, Mansionair and Patrick James will be playing the Foundry in late 2015/early 2016.
- The Zoo.
Location: 711 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley.
Opening its doors formally as The Zoo in December 1992, the Ann Street venue can count the likes of The Pixies, Nick Cave, Powderfinger, Lorde, and Parquet Courts among its famous friends. Inspired by the laid-back Melbourne music scene, this homely hang-out has a lot of local support and some incredibly faithful staff, and will celebrate its 23rd year in operation this December.
There’s no dress code at The Zoo (something all gig-venues should adopt, in my humble opinion) and there’s a strict ‘Please and Thank You’ ethos which works well in any venue as it promotes a friendly atmosphere, ensuring all punters leave with a smile upon their music-loving faces.
While popular in the alternative music scene, The Zoo doesn’t discriminate in genre. Mercury Rev will be gracing the stage in December as well as Jackie Onassis and Spirit Syndicate who will be headlining The Zoo’s 23rd birthday party.
- The River Stage.
Location: Gardens Point Road, City Botanic Gardens.
Various days and times throughout the year.
The Riverstage is the only outdoor venue to grace my list (there are others in Brissy, including the Showgrounds) and will remain so because of the sheer calibre of artist it invites to its stage. Opened in 1989 after inspiration for a live music venue came from the 1988 World Expo that was held there the year earlier, the Riverstage has hosted the touring ‘Soundwave’ festival, and the Brisbane band, Powderfinger performed their final show there in November 2010.
Occupying a two-hectare site within the Botanic Gardens, it has a capacity of 9,500 and has also seen many big-named international artists play there in recent years, including London Grammar and Alt-J. With Florence and The Machine due to grace the stage very soon, Tame Impala on 21st November, and Rise Against in December, the Australian summer looks hot for live music in Brisbane.
- Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall.
Location: 15 Caxton Street, Petrie Terrace.
Wednesday – Sunday, 5pm-3am.
If it’s something different you’re after then head to Lefty’s – the saloon-esque seating arrangements and red velvet drapes that float from the roof, combined with the vintage chandeliers and array of deer and bear heads that decorate the walls, make this the perfect place to indulge in the intimate atmosphere that’s inspired by the honky-tonks of the good old US of A’s deep south.
At Lefty’s you can lose yourself in knee-slapping country music and while away the night listening to obscure bands whose members play box-shaped guitars and tuneful accordions.
While not providing many ‘big-named’ artists such as the likes of The Tivoli or The Riverstage do, Lefty’s will surprise, delight and entertain any music lover into the wee small hours. A personal favourite!
Chasing Amy-Lou 