Bernard FanningStepping into 2026, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre is welcoming some exciting new additions — not only in the form of its highly-anticipated new Glasshouse Theatre, but also a brand new live music offering gracing the Cultural Forecourt.
Introducing On The Banks — QPAC’s newest contemporary music series offering a beautifully curated, vast program that truly serves something spectacular for every music taste across the board.
Setting the scene before the banks of the Maiwar Brisbane River and underneath the stars, On The Banks is gearing up to deliver some undeniably stunning nights of live music from beloved local legends and international favourites alike.
Rachel Healy, QPAC Chief Executive, said of the series, “We’re transforming the banks of the river in front of QPAC into an outdoor live concert venue and bringing the very best Australian and international acts to our doorstep.”
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To celebrate the inaugural program, we’re spotlighting a few of our must-see shows for any live music lovers on the look for their next memorable night out.
King Stingray
Kicking off the program on the 25th of February are multi-award winning indie-rockers King Stingray. For those who have never been treated to a King Stingray live show, you can look forward to a joy-filled display of utterly infectious stage presence and rich sound, fusing their own brand of Yolŋu surf-rock that intertwines masterful yidaki basslines and sun-soaked guitar riffs.
If I was to imagine a dream stage to see King Stingray play, it would be out in the open air with the sun setting in the background… which is a perfect coincidence considering their On The Banks show will be delivering just that.
Supported by Jack River and The Buoys, it’s shaping up to be a strong celebration of the best of what Australian music has to offer.
MARINA and Mallrat
Calling all my fellow OG stans and die-hard pop divas — this is not a drill. For the first time in 15 years, MARINA is touching down again on Australian soil and bringing with her the empowering, euphoric majesty that is her new album PRINCESS OF POWER. And expect exactly that — a true spectacle of supercharged pop royalty.
Joining MARINA is beloved Brisbane-born Mallrat, coming off a massive 2025 joining the one and only Kylie Minogue on her Australian Tension tour dates, and of course the release of her latest album Light hit my face like a straight right. If you are overdue some time on the dancefloor, this pop power duo is your ticket.
Also if you didn’t need any more convincing, a portion of ticket sales for this show will be heading to The MARINA Fund, working to support LGBTQ+ individuals affected by conflict by channeling funding to local community organisations that provide life-affirming services, mental health care, and humanitarian relief. A beautiful show uplifting a beautiful cause.
Bernard Fanning
Besides the swathes of mind-blowing talent on this bill, if you were after the wildest bang for buck, you cannot go past this mammoth line-up led by Bernard Fanning on the 15th of March. Bit of folk, bit of country, bit of rock, whole lot of acoustic goodness, heart-warming harmonies, classic hits and certainly a whole lot of heart.
Of course, if it’s more than just the iconic Powderfinger frontman you’re after, there’s good news on the way, because the line-up is a massive celebration featuring – get this – Kasey Chambers, The Paper Kites, Troy & Jem Cassar-Daley, and Georgia Mooney.
Kicking off at 3pm and easing into sunset, this stacked afternoon of world-class live acts is not only an absolute steal, but a whole evening of music and storytelling for the soul.
Droppin’ Science: De La Soul
Trailblazers De La Soul are dedicating their On The Banks performance to celebrating hip hop in all its multitudes, magnitudes, and ever-evolving forms. Their show titled Droppin’ Science is “an all-out salute to the sound that shaped us, the voices that continue to push it forward, and the communities that keep it alive” — a timeless window through De La Soul’s influence past and present, and the path they continue to pave in hip-hop.
But I’d like to pay a particular shout out to one of the support acts joining De La Soul as well as Oddisee & Good Compny on the bill, which is the truly formidable Miss Kaninna.
An undoubtedly impressive rising star since her debut in 2023, Miss Kaninna has soared strength to strength with each release, drawing acclaim through her commanding stage presence, performance versatility and unwavering political platforming through her artistry. Definitely a show to rock up on the dot for.
The Streets
One of the most formidable names of the English hip hop scene of the early ‘00s, it’s hard to imagine what music would have looked like had The Streets not emerged. The musical moniker of certified geezer Mike Skinner, The Streets will be making their way back to Australia to perform their iconic album A Grand Don't Come For Free in full.
Look up ‘classic’ in the dictionary and you’ll probably see a picture of the album cover. Look it up in one year’s time, and you’ll probably be seeing Shady Nasty right to it, which is coincidental given they’ve just jumped on the bill as support for the show.
Riding high off a series of acclaimed releases and a high profile collab with Fred again.., Sydney trio Shady Nasty are getting the kudos they deserve, and it’s clear that The Streets recognise talent when they see it.
Peach PRC
Peach PRC is unleashing a brand new era with the release of her upcoming debut album Porcelain. With the album dropping the day after her On The Banks performance, fans heading to the show will be in for a treat, getting a special live preview of Porcelain and all that’s to come for the pop powerhouse.
Joining Peach PRC on the bill is Maude Latour, who Alex Warren fans in particular might be familiar with after opening for the Ordinary hitmaker across his North American tour last year. But introducing another gem on this studded line-up — if you’re yet to discover the complete pop package that is Salty, you’ll be thanking me later.
With such a crystallised artistic vision and boatloads of talent in tow to match, Salty was born to perform and is such an exciting emerging face on the Australian pop front.
Marlon Williams
For those in search of a breath-taking performance of deeply beautiful music, Marlon Williams and his band The Yarra Benders are your ticket to an unforgettable evening.
Since the release of Williams’ first full album in Te reo Māori, Te Whare Tīwekaweka in 2025, his performances featuring this record have been nothing short of majestic masterpieces, expertly wielding an ebb and flow of stripped-back fragility and expansive richness that seemingly transcends time, space and language barriers.
Paired with the iconic Sarah Blasko, this closing evening of On The Banks is set to be a soul-healing showstopper. Long-time Sarah Blasko fans will know what an achingly gorgeous performance punters will have in store for them, but if you’re by chance a younger fan wondering who that angelic voice singing Flame Trees in the Heartbreak High season two finale was — a Sarah Blasko deep-dive is definitely in order and this show is a must.
ON THE BANKS
CULTURAL FORECOURT, SOUTH BANK – 25 FEBRUARY-22 MARCH 2026
DATES & LINE-UP
Wednesday, 25 February – KING STINGRAY
With Jack River and The Buoys
Thursday 26 February - MARINA
With Mallrat
Sunday 1 March - DROPPIN’ SCIENCE: DE LA SOUL WITH ODDISEE & GOOD COMPNY & MISS KANINNA
Thursday 5 March - GRACE JONES
With The Illustrious Blacks
Friday 6 March - THE STREETS (Supported by Double J)
With Shady Nasty
Saturday 7 March - DISCO CLUB - SOLD OUT
Sunday 15 March - BERNARD FANNING
With Kasey Chambers, The Paper Kites, Troy & Jem Cassar-Daley, and Georgia Mooney
Thursday 19 March - PEACH PRC (Supported by triple j)
With Maude Latour and Salty
Friday 20 March - MAOLI
Sunday 22 March - MARLON WILLIAMS
With Sarah Blasko
This piece of content has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body
