QPAC

On the Banks, Brisbane/Meanjin’s new riverside, outdoor live concert series, just turned up the volume, today announcing a second wave of international icons and homegrown heroes set to perform on the Cultural Forecourt at South Bank in early 2026.
 
A partnership between Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and South Bank Corporation, On the Banks will transform the Cultural Forecourt into a vibrant outdoor music destination across February and March 2026. With the river and city skyline as its backdrop, and warm Brisbane summer nights filled with food, bars and friends, On the Banks’ lineup just keeps getting bigger and better!

Running from 25 February – 22 March 2026, On the Banks today adds four major headline events and a very special support spot, spanning indie pop, reggae, rock, new wave and iconic performance art, and showcasing a bold mix of voices and contemporary sounds from around the globe.

On the Banks welcomes the addition of, in date order, King Stingray, MARINA with special guest MALLRAT, Grace Jones, Maoli and Sarah Blasko to the inaugural lineup. They join the already confirmed artists: Droppin’ Science: De La Soul with Oddisee & Good Compny and Miss Kaninna, The Streets, Disco Club, Bernard Fanning with special guests Kasey Chambers, The Paper Kites, Troy & Jem Cassar-Daley and Georgia Mooney, Peach PRC with special guests Maude Latour and Salty, and Marlon Williams.

25 February: KING STINGRAY
Opening the series, Yolŋu surf-rock phenomenon King Stingray will bring their high-energy, uplifting sound to On the Banks on Wednesday 25 February. Emerging from Yirrkala in Northeast Arnhem Land, King Stingray fuse Yolŋu Manikay (songlines) with indie rock, delivering an electric live show that celebrates culture, Country and connection. Since their meteoric rise with hits like Get Me Out, Camp Dog and Milkumana, King Stingray has earned the ARIA Breakthrough Artist Award in 2023, triple j Feature Album honours and a devoted national fanbase.

26 February: MARINA WITH SPECIAL GUEST MALLRAT
Fifteen years since her last visit, global art-pop force MARINA makes her long-awaited Brisbane debut at On the Banks on Thursday 26 February. Her new album, PRINCESS OF POWER, is a euphoric, high-energy exploration of healing, empowerment, and self-reclamation, turning inward to embrace vulnerability as strength. Pulsing with disco-lit electropop and declarations of freedom, love, and feminine energy, the album marks a transformative moment in her career. Since bursting onto the scene in 2009, MARINA has released five acclaimed albums, including Electra Heart and Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land. PRINCESS OF POWER is MARINA as you’ve never seen her before.

Brisbane-born songwriter Mallrat joins MARINA as the special guest at On the Banks. She has been breaking barriers since her debut, amassing over half a billion streams, a #1 ARIA charting album, sold-out international tours, Platinum certifications, and collaborations with artists including Azealia Banks, BENEE, The Chainsmokers, and Cub Sport. Mallrat has performed alongside global icons, appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden, headlined major festivals like Reading & Leeds and Austin City Limits, and earned widespread critical acclaim from NPR, NME, Billboard, The New York Times, and more.

5 March: GRACE JONES
A cultural titan, style icon, and one of the most influential performers of the last half-century, Grace Jones will take over On the Banks on Thursday 5 March. Known for commanding vocals, avant-garde costume design, and theatrical mastery, Jones’ shows remain unmatched in their power, artistry, and scale. With hits like Pull Up to the Bumper, Slave to the Rhythm, and Walking in the Rain, she has inspired generations of musicians and visual artists alike, with figures such as Annie Lennox, Lorde, and Rihanna citing her as a formative influence. Jones’ distinctive style, fearless persona, and boundary-pushing performances have cemented her status as a global music, fashion and cultural icon, making her an enduring force. There simply is no one like Grace Jones!

20 March: MAOLI
Reggae and country-soul super star Maoli will bring his island-infused sound to On The Banks on Friday 20 March 2026. With nine independent albums and over half a billion streams, the upcountry Maui vocalist has become a defining voice of modern island music, blending traditional Hawaiian influences with rock, reggae and the heartfelt storytelling of country greats. His Hawaiian-country fusion has sparked a wave of global attention through viral releases, including powerful covers of Mercy and In Case You Didn’t Know. Now teaming up with hitmakers Dann and David Huff, Maoli continues to champion his culture on the world stage.

22 March: SARAH BLASKO JOINS MARLON WILLIAMS
On the Banks is thrilled to announce that singer-songwriter Sarah Blasko will join Marlon Williams on Sunday 22 March. Sarah's seventh album I Just Need To Conquer This Mountain is full of late-night reflections on goodbyes, grief and new beginnings. She is as expansive as she is prolific, writing songs that strike with rare immediacy, clarity and purpose. Across six solo albums and two as part of Seeker Lover Keeper, four have reached Platinum Sales Status with six debuts in the ARIA Top 10. Sarah Blasko is a three-time ARIA Award winner, 18-time ARIA Award nominee, has won the J Award for Australian Album of the Year, and three-times shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize.

ON THE BANKS LINEUP: FEBRUARY & MARCH 2026 (In date order)

Wednesday 25 February
KING STINGRAY

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

Friday 6 March
THE STREETS – Supported by Double J

Saturday 7 March
DISCO CLUB - SOLD OUT

Sunday 15 March
BERNARD FANNING with Kasey Chambers, The Paper Kites, Troy & Jem Cassar-Daley, Georgia Mooney

Thursday 19 March
PEACH PRC with Maude Latour, Salty – Supported by Triple J

Friday 20 March
MAOLI

Sunday 22 March
MARLON WILLIAMS with Sarah Blasko

Full program, tickets and all details via ONTHEBANKS.COM.AU

About On the Banks
On the Banks is a new outdoor live concert series presented in collaboration between QPAC and South Bank Corporation. Hosted at the Cultural Forecourt in South Bank, against the riverside backdrop of the Brisbane City skyline, this celebration of live music captures the essence of a Queensland summer — warm evenings, world-class performances, and an inviting community atmosphere. As the sun sets, On the Banks transforms the riverside into a hub of music, connection, and creativity.