Open Season Has It All: The Unmissable Acts From Its Most Ambitious Year To Date

Each winter, Open Season delivers a packed run of live music and art, turning the city of Brisbane into a hub for late nights, loud rooms and unforgettable experiences.

Presented by The Tivoli Group, the eight-week program mixes international and local acts, bending genres across some of Brisbane’s most loved venues. This year, they’re calling it their “boldest and most ambitious program to date”.

Open Season continues to spotlight homegrown talent alongside major global names, giving local artists a massive platform. From free outdoor shows to more intimate theatre sets, this year’s edition of Open Season has it all, making Brisbane’s live scene impossible to ignore. Here are just some of the highlights taking place during this year’s program.

Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE: 28 May, The Tivoli

There’s no doubt that Earl Sweatshirt has played a hand in shaping alternative hip hop into what it currently is. He first captured listeners as part of Tyler, The Creator’s Odd Future Collective. Since then, Earl has built a career on his dense lyricism, offbeat production and personal songwriting. Joining him is MIKE—one of the most influential underground rappers of the last decade and often considered to be Earl’s mentee. Their collaborative record, POMPEII//UNITY brings their voices together with hazy production and emotionally raw writing.

Dry Cleaning: 29 May, The Princess Theatre

Dry Cleaning recently released their third studio album, Secret Love, to widespread acclaim. The London post-punk group is known for lead singer Florence Shaw’s spoken-word delivery as well as the band’s restless instrumentation. Secret Love also sees the band working with producer and songwriter Cate Le Bon, pushing their music into an even more adventurous territory. 

Mulga Bore Hard Rock: 29 May, QPAC

Mulga Bore Hard Rock might be one of the most unforgettable acts on the line-up. Formed by students at a tiny, remote school community, the Indigenous group took inspiration from rock legends KISS and even landed the opportunity to support them on their End Of The Road tour. Their performance at Open Season will be free and take place at Melbourne St Green at QPAC.

Cate Le Bon: 3 June, The Princess Theatre

Cate Le Bon has earned a reputation as one of the most inventive artists in contemporary music. If that alone doesn’t immediately intrigue you, her undeniable talent will. Le Bon is a singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist who moves effortlessly across art rock, psychedelic pop and experimental folk.

Her most recent album, Michelangelo Dying, has been described as her most experimental work yet, full of left-turn arrangements. Le Bon has also become a highly sought-after collaborator and producer, helping shape albums for artists in indie music’s most adventurous corners. 

Alison Wonderland: 5 June, The Tivoli

Aussie producer Alison Wonderland remains one of the country’s biggest electronic music exports. Her festival-ready production and chaotic live energy have earned her a well-deserved international following, with over a billion streams and even a Coachella slot. In 2025, she released Ghost World, an album that was the result of personal change and growth at a pivotal time in her career.

Danny Brown: 6 June, The Princess Theatre

Danny Brown has spent over a decade pushing rap into unpredictable territory and blurring the lines between genres. The Detroit artist broke through with his 2011 mixtape, XXX, a free release that quickly became a classic after earning strong praise from critics.

Since then, Brown has continued to build his reputation for wild live performances and experimental production choices. His most recent album, Stardust, ventured into hyperpop territory, receiving incredibly positive reviews and further proving that rap can’t be put into a box. 

Kae Tempest: 8 June, The Princess Theatre

Kae Tempest brings a totally unique energy to this year’s Open Season line-up. Poet, playwright, novelist and recording artist, there is little that Tempest cannot do. The English spoken-word artist has been celebrated for his emotionally charged performances that combine poetry, theatre and music. In April this year, he released his novel Having Spent Life Seeking, adding yet another impressive chapter to a career that already spans multiple creative works.

Against The Grain: 20 June, Clarence Corner, Wooloongabba

Against The Grain will surely be one of Open Season’s biggest drawcards, bringing together a massive lineup of alternative talent. Legendary Anglo-French group Stereolab headline alongside Aussie favourites Pond and Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, while American post-punk band Protomartyr add some edge to the bill. The Belair Lip Bombs and Hatchie round things out as two of Australia’s most loved indie acts at the moment. It’s an absolutely stacked lineup that covers everything from mellow pop to rock and post-punk.

South System: 27 June, Fish Lane

South System returns with another free open-air party in Fish Lane, bringing big street party energy to the heart of Brisbane. This year’s event features DJ RONA, whose genre-blending sets have made her a standout name in Australia’s club scene. Open Season strives to embrace community-focused events alongside major ticketed shows, and South System continues that tradition. 

Ben Kweller: 9 July, The Princess Theatre

After finding success as a teenager in the band Radish, Ben Kweller launched his solo career at age 19 and hasn’t looked back, quietly building one of indie rock’s most enduring careers. His latest record, Cover The Mirrors, is his tenth solo album and delivers the same heartfelt songwriting as his earlier work.

Hiatus Kaiyote: 11 July, The Tivoli

Hiatus Kaiyote are one of Melbourne’s most unique bands. Their mix of jazz, funk, neo-soul and further experimentation has earned them respect from crowds everywhere- from underground music circles to major international audiences. Their 2024 record Love Heart Cheat Code brought a wave of acclaim, including nominations for Best Group at the ARIA Awards and the Australian Music Prize. 

Skin On Skin: 17 July, The Tivoli

Skin On Skin’s story stretches across the globe. Born in Sudan, raised partly in Cairo and Brisbane, and now splitting his time between Tokyo and Paris, the producer and DJ brings a unique perspective to his music. Playing the Tivoli carries extra meaning, with these shows feeling like somewhat of a Brisbane homecoming. 

Full Flower Moon Band: 19 July, The Tivoli

Brisbane psych rockers Full Flower Moon Band are continuing to build serious momentum, becoming one of the city’s biggest local success stories currently. Their massive live shows deliver a blend of heavy rock, garage and psychedelic sounds.

Their 2024 record, Megaflower, debuted at number one on the ARIA Australian Album Chart, launching them to bigger stages. At Open Season, they represent Brisbane’s current live music scene best- loud, unpredictable and impossible to ignore.

Blak Day Out: 24 July, The Princess Theatre

Returning for a fifth year, Blak Day Out remains one of Open Season’s most important events. Curated by Althea Beetson from Blak Social, the all-ages program celebrates First Nations music and culture, bringing together emerging and established artists from around the country. This year’s line-up features Dan Sultan, Beddy Rays, Becca Hatch, Jem Cassar-Daley and Rox Levi. 

Tickets to this year’s Open Season program are now available.