Festival Guide: Our Hot Picks For Queensland This Summer

THE LONG SUNSET

When: Saturday 12 February, 2022
Where: Elysian Fields, Canungra
Who: Angus & Julia Stone, Ball Park Music, Babe Rainbow, Hatchie
More details here

As Queensland’s summer starts to mellow out a bit, and the blistering summer heat of South East Queensland becomes manageable once again, the Scenic Rim will roar to life with The Long Sunset, Australia’s newest boutique regional music event. Set in the lush surrounds of Elysian Fields, Canungra – home of the Wangerriburra people - The Long Sunset is gearing up to bring you a sweet program of Australia’s top acts, including Angus & Julia Stone (who will be performing together in Qld for the first time since 2018!) and a basket full of local gourmet food and art fare.

WILDLANDS

When: Sunday 26 December - Monday 27 December, 2021
Where: Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane
Who: Chillinit, Golden Features, Masked Wolf, Cosmos Midnight, The Veronicas, Running Touch, Sycco, Godlands, Willaris K + more
Website: wildlandsfestival.com.au

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First landing in Brisbane at the tail end of 2019, Wildlands returns for round two this December, for an esteemed line-up featuring the likes of Golden Features, Lime Cordiale and Spacey Jane as well as Crooked Colours, Mallrat, Running Touch, JK-47 and many more! With international borders still a little shaky, event organisers have opted for a special, all-Australian edition, set to bring the biggest bands, electronic and hip-hop acts from around the country to Brisbane’s sun-soaked northern doorstep.

THE BIG SUMMER BLOCK PARTY

When: Sunday 28 November
Where: Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
Who: Eves Karydas, LISI, Jesswar, First Beige, Sampology, Golden Vessel, Clea, dameeeela + more.
More details here

As restrictions slowly but surely start to ease, QMusic and the brains behind BIGSOUND have teamed up for the ultimate end-of-year party on November 28; one last chance to say ‘F@#K off!’ to 2021, and hello to 2022! Kicking off BIGSOUND's 21st birthday celebrations, BIG SUMMER BLOCK PARTY is a free, all-out blow-out, closing off Fortitude Valley’s Warner Street for five hours of non-stop music, food trucks, outdoor bars, local DJs; and 21 of Queensland’s hottest artists take to the stages in seven of the city's most beloved venues.

THIS THAT

When: Saturday 5 March, 2022
Where: Sandstone Point Hotel, Sandstone Point
Who: Client Liaison, Dune Rats, Jack River, Hayden James, The Presents, The Rubens + more
Website: thisthat.com.au

Now entering its sixth year down south, this Newcastle staple is making its way north to the Sunshine State for the very first time. Much like its older sister event, THIS THAT at Sandstone Point will feature performances from the likes of Client Liaison, Dune Rats, The Chats and Jack River, plus sets from exclusive additions Hayden James, Meg Mac, Spacey Jane, The Rubens and loads more. Event organisers have also promised a stacked line-up of DJs and teased a new addition to the event, crowned simply ‘The Other’. Mysterious!

FOR THE LOVE

When: Saturday 19 February, 2022
Where: Doug Jennings Park, Gold Coast
Who: Dom Dolla, Crooked Colours, Mallrat, Allday, Running Touch, Boo Seeka, George Maple + more
Website: fortheloveftl.com

After the pandemic canned their original 2021 plans, touring waterfront festival For The Love is making a welcome return to the live circuit in February 2022, hitting the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and a newly-expanded stop in Wollongong, all packed with an all-Australian line-up. Taking place ocean-side at Doug Jennings Park with nothing but an endless horizon in the background, For The Love is gearing up for a sun-soaked day, packed with live sets from Dom Dolla, Crooked Colours, Mallrat, Allday and more.

NINE LIVES FESTIVAL

When: Saturday 5 March, 2022
Where: The Tivoli, Brisbane
Who: #1 Dads, Stella Donnelly, Mildlife + more
Website: ninelivesfestival.com

After a series of on-again, off-again moments, Brisbane suburban indie-rock fest Nine Lives Festival will finally be making its long-awaited return to its home in Fortitude Valley. In 2022, the one-day, two-stage event will take place both indoors and outdoors at the iconic Tivoli, and is set to be a very Brissy block party, for lovers of tunes, mates and community. Starring an eclectic line-up led by Perth songwriter Stella Donnelly, King Stingray and #1 Dads, Nine Lives Festival also welcomes on board a stack of up-and-comers, including Good Morning, Family Jordan, Lucky Idiot, Maple Glider, and Middle Name Dance Band, along with some of the cities most beloved record spinners.

GOOD LOVE FESTIVAL

When: Saturday 5 February 2022
Where: Doug Jennings Park, Gold Coast
Who: SoulJahz, Kolohe Kai, Stan Walker, J BOOG, FIJI, Sons Of Zion, House Of Shem + more
Website: www.goodlove.com.au

There might be a new name and a new venue, but reggae fans on the Gold Coast can rest easy knowing that they’re in for the same level of fun this coming February when one of Australia’s premier reggae festivals lands on the pristine shores of the Gold Coast once again. This time under the new moniker of ‘Good Love Festival’ and a brand new venue (Doug Jennings Park), Australia’s biggest reggae event will once again deliver a day packed to the brim, with top-tier talent flocking in from America, Australia and New Zealand. Having sold out in a heartbeat last time, punters are advised to get in quick to secure tickets for this one!

WILDFLOWER

When: Saturday 19 March, 2022
Where: Riverstage, Brisbane
Who: Missy Higgins, Kasey Chambers, Kate Miller-Heidke, Sarah Blasko, Alice Skye
Website: wildflowerfestivalaustralia.com.au

A brand spanking new music festival has blossomed in Australia, and it’s called Wildflower; a celebration of women in Australian music taking over three different East Coast cities throughout March. With the event's inaugural line-up, festival organisers (Empire Touring and TEG Live) haven’t missed a beat, securing some of the country’s finest artists, including none other than Missy Higgins, Kasey Chambers, Kate Miller-Heidke, Sarah Blasko heaps more.

FACTORY SUMMER FESTIVAL

When: Friday 31 December 2021
Where: Eagle Farm Racecourse, Brisbane
Who: Broods, Masked Wolf, Example, Young Franco, KLP, Electric Fields, Tace Cadet
Website: factoryfestival.com.au

In many ways, 2021 has been a massive year, but in others, it’s felt extremely lacklustre, so while it may feel strange to be giving any thought to sending off the year in a big way, the team behind Factory Summer Festival have made it incredibly easy to ignore those thoughts. Returning to Brisbane on New Year's Eve, Factory Summer Festival welcomes one of the biggest NYE line-ups in the country, with Broods, Masked Wolf, Example, Young Franco, Stace Cadet, KLP and Electric Fields among plenty of others. Attendees from 2020 will remember that the event spanned multiple stages and bars, included a silent disco, carnival rides and a games arcade; no confirmation on this yet, but fingers are tightly crossed!

UNCAGED

When: Saturday 22 January, 2022
Where: Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane
Who: Wolfmother, Twelve Foot Ninja, Kingswood, The Getaway Plan + more
Website: uncagedfestival.com

Prior to COVID pulling the plug on the global entertainment industry, the Australian heavy music festival circuit was teaming with some of the worlds best events; Download Festival, Good Things Festival and countless others all successfully positioning themselves as ‘must do’ events on any hardcore kids calendar. After 18+ months of little to no live events, especially those in the heavy world, the announcement of Uncaged festival - and all Aussie heavy rock festival - is a welcome bit of news! Hosting the likes of Wolfmother, Twelve Foot Ninja, Kingswood, The Getaway Plan and more, it’s never been more exciting to break out the earplugs and black band shirts.