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Brisbane Live Music & Venue Guide

The Brisbane music scene is firmly on the map as one of the most important breeding grounds for original music in Australia, a reputation well earned following the success of bands like Powderfinger, Regurgitator, Butterfingers, George, Pete Murray, the Resin Dogs and even The Bee Gees — although the latter haven't played in town for a while...

Plenty of venues put the spotlight on local artists, and almost all major international tours make a stop in Brisbane on their tour of Australia, performing at one of the larger venues housing thousands of people, or one of the eclectic mix of smaller venues dotted around town.

Most live music venues in Brisbane are found in the entertainment hub of the city - Fortitude Valley - referred to by locals as "the Valley".

Major Venues

Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre is a world-class venue over three levels, purpose-built to provide superb flexibility and versatility under one roof, located in the heart of Brisbane in the unique riverside cultural and entertainment precinct of South Bank. Home to a wide array of exhibitions, conferences and even Roller Derby, the centre also regular hosts big international live music acts.

Cnr Merivale and Glenelg Streets, South Bank
Phone: 07 3308 3000
Website: www.bcec.com.au

Brisbane Entertainment Centre

Built by the Brisbane City Council as part of the bid for the 1992 Olympic Games, the Brisbane Entertainment Centre is Queensland's premier entertainment, sporting and meeting facility. The main arena can seat 13,500 people making it ideal for the big name international acts that visit Brisbane. Some recent shows include Usher, Good Charlotte, Keith Urban, Chris Brown, Kylie Minogue, Rise Against and Kings of Leon.

Brisbane Powerhouse VenueMelaleuca Drive, Boondall
Phone: 07 3265 8111
Website: www.brisent.com.au

Brisbane Powerhouse

Music, theatre, dance, comedy, film, visual arts, events and festivals come to life at Brisbane Powerhouse, a renovated powerhouse built on the banks of the Brisbane River next to the ever-popular New Farm Park. With its heritage-listed graffiti, 2 bars and restaurants, a variety of performance spaces and free Wi-Fi Brisbane Powerhouse is the perfect place to catch a show, grab a drink with friends or relax on the weekend.

119 Lamington Street, New Farm
Phone: 07 3358 8622
Website:  www.brisbanepowerhouse.org

Brisbane Showgrounds

For nine days in August every year Brisbane’s  Showgrounds transforms itself into Queensland’s largest annual event, the ‘Ekka’. Throughout the rest of the year, the venue is host to various events including live music festivals.

Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills
Phone: 07 3253 3900
Website: www.brisbaneshowgrounds.com.au

Suncorp Stadium

Although better known as a sporting venue, the stadium also plays host to big international acts such as U2 and Bon Jovi.

40 Castlemaine Street, Milton
Phone: 07 3331 5000
Website: www.suncorpstadium.com.au


Live Music Venues guide

We certainly haven't covered every venue here, but at least you'll get a rundown. If there's nothing on at the following venues, there's just nothing on.

Music Venues at the Valley (Fortitude Valley)

The Zoo

An icon of the local indie music scene since 1992, The Zoo hosts live music from Thursdays to Saturdays and any indie Australian artist worth their salt has played here. Drop in if you're in town and you'll be at the coal face of good, brash Australian music.

711 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Phone:
3854 1381
Website: www.thezoo.com.au

Rics Cafe and Bar 

 This tiny cafe looks too small to have a dining table, let alone a stage, but it's one of the coolest hang-outs on the indie music scene in Brisbane. You're guaranteed to see the next big indie thing here, or at the very least, some worthy musical angst.

Brunswick Street Mall, Fortitude Valley
Phone: 07 3666 0777
Website: ricsbar.com.au

The Tivoli

Restored in Art Deco style in 1989, this venue was established in 1917, making it a classic venue home to the hottest local and touring acts. A fully licensed theatre with excellent facilities, in-house 5 star catering and state-of-the-art technical features, it's one of the best places in Brisbane to experience live music.

52 Costin Street, Fortitude Valley
Phone: 07 3852 1711
Website: www.thetivoli.net.au

The Jubilee Hotel

"The Jube" is a recently renovated, heritage listed hotel right in the centre of the entertainment hub of Brisbane. They offer a little something for everyone; a bistro, a bar with gaming and TAB, numerous options for functions and of course regular live acts supporting the local music scene.

470 St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley
Phone: 07 3252 4508
Website: www.jubileehotel.com.au

Stepinn

Stepinn is a live music venue and bar that aims to provide a variety of musical experiences with genres covered including hip-hop, dubstep, heavy metal, garage rock and indie rock.  Separate areas allows for three different genres to be played on any given night. The venue supports both local acts and international tours.

186 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
Phone: 07 3252 2421
Website: facebook.com/pages/The-Step-Inn/152808448089821

X & Y Bar

This venue is all about the music, with live acts 7 nights a week. Located in a building in the Valley with a fascinatingly shady past, it's been renovated in a truly unique 60-70's antiestablishment theme. In their own words - "We are committed to creating a venue where judgment begins and ends at the bar over exactly what to drink; where the crowd finds its own level rather than being created by a doorperson; where fashion is secondary to tribe, conversation, music and service; where all walks are welcome."

648 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Phone: 07 3257 1259
Website: facebook.com/XandYbrisbane


Music Venues at West End

The Hi-Fi

 This purpose built concert venue has a state of the art main room with mezzanine level to house 1200 people. No detail has been overlooked from the load-in to great sightlines for punters. There are seven different levels to watch the band from to ensure a great concert experience for all.

125 Boundary Street, West End Brisbane
Phone: 1300 843 443 (ticket bookings)
Website: www.thehifi.com.au

The Rumpus Room

Opened in December 2005, The Rumpus Room has established itself as the new hotspot for west end locals and surrounding suburbs. They support up and coming  DJ's and welcome new acts ranging from breaks to hip hop.

1/56 Russell St (cnr Boundary St), West End
Phone: 07 3846 1323

Music Venues in the City

320 on Leichhardt

 Whether it’s lunch or dinner 7 days, breakfast on weekends or high tea served on antique bone china in the top floor dining room with corporate meal and meeting packages or events catering for up to 200 people, excellent meals and service are part and parcel of the 320 Experience. Talented and friendly staff ensure your every need is catered for while you sit back and relax in an elegant setting.

320 Boundary Street, Spring Hill
Phone: 07 3230 5678