QPAC

Following a triumphant debut early this year, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and South Bank Corporation are thrilled to reveal more acts for the return of On the Banks bringing contemporary music to the Brisbane riverside across February and March 2027.
 
Brisbane's most picturesque live concert series returns to transform the Cultural Forecourt into a vibrant live music venue, complete with bars and food trucks, set against the stunning backdrop of the city skyline.
 
Today’s huge new additions to the 2027 program join previously announced Fatboy Slim, Madness, Leon Bridges with 54 Ultra, The Avalanches with HAAi, and Amyl and The Sniffers with WAAX and Southeast Desert Metal.
 
British indie giants Kasabian, New Zealand soul-dub legends Fat Freddy's Drop with Sub-Tribe and a celebration of 25 years of Pete Murray with special guests The Waifs, Pierce Brothers and Charlie Murray will round out what is already a massive 2027 On the Banks lineup.

Wednesday 24 February belongs to Kasabian, one of the UK's biggest rock exports, fresh off a sold-out homecoming at Finsbury Park and their UK #1 album, Act III. Nearly three decades on, anthems like "Club Foot", "Fire" and "Empire" still turn festival fields into singalongs, and the same can be expected at On the Banks. Next up, Amyl and The Sniffers will bring their undeniable energy to the river’s edge, fronted by the indomitable Amy Taylor and fresh off the back of four ARIA Awards and a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance. They’ll be supported by ferocious and euphoric Brisbane band WAAX and Arrernte trailblazers Southeast Desert Metal from Ltyentye Apurte/Santa Teresa in Central Australia. Rounding out opening weekend is Leon Bridges, the Grammy-winning Texan singer-songwriter behind "Coming Home" and "River". He’ll be joined by 54 Ultra, known for his unmistakable synth rock pop soul influences.

The series returns midweek on Tuesday 2 March with Brit legends Madness, the band behind countless global hits including "Our House" and “It Must Be Love”, delivering their famously joyful live show to the Cultural Forecourt. Then on Friday 5 March, New Zealand's internationally acclaimed groove machine, Fat Freddy’s Drop bring their euphoric Based On A True Story 21st Anniversary Tour to Brisbane. Performing songs from the iconic BOATS album, and honouring Freddy’s chief Chris ‘MU’ Faiumu who died suddenly in 2025, they are supported by Sub-Tribe, a seven-piece dub-fusion outfit, blending traditional roots and reggae with bass music and soaring harmonies. Saturday 6 March sees Melbourne maestros The Avalanches headline the series' most eclectic bill. From Since I Left You to the new album No Bad Memories out 16 October, their catalogue is a sunshine-drenched escape of samples and guest vocalists. They'll be joined by London-based Australian DJ and producer HAAi.   

Fatboy Slim will transform the Cultural Forecourt into a massive dancefloor for two legendary nights across Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 March, as he plays his huge party sets including tracks such as "Praise You", "Right Here, Right Now" and many more. Then on Saturday 13 March it’s an assembly of homegrown heroes when multi-ARIA winner Pete Murray celebrates 25 years in music by performing his iconic albums Feeler and See the Sun in full. He’ll welcome special guests The Waifs and Pierce Brothers and his son Charlie Murray, supporting the next generation of Australian singer songwriters.

QPAC Chief Executive Rachel Healy said she was delighted On the Banks was returning to the Cultural Forecourt in 2027.
 
“We can’t wait to light up the riverfront once again with the next edition of On the Banks, in partnership with South Bank Corporation,” Ms Healy said.
 
“The inaugural season proved there’s a huge appetite for live music on Brisbane’s riverfront, drawing audiences of almost 30,000 people and welcoming thousands of first time QPAC visitors.
 
"The response was extraordinary, and this new season builds on that momentum with more world-class artists, more balmy nights by the river, and more live music set to soundtrack the final weeks of summer.”
 
Queensland Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said Queenslanders and visitors to the state would celebrate the return of the popular concert series. 
  
“Presenting some of the biggest and most beloved homegrown and international artists, QPAC and the South Bank Corporation will lure music lovers back to the banks of the Brisbane River in 2027,” Minister Langbroek said. 
  
“The Crisafulli Government is proud to support QPAC in delivering unique programming, which capitalises on our cultural assets and delivers on the vision of our 10-year strategy for arts and culture, Queensland’s Time to Shine. 
  
“The return of On the Banks will further grow our visitor economy and enhance Queensland’s reputation as a vibrant cultural destination in the lead up to the 2032 Olympics and Paralympic Games.” 
 
South Bank Corporation Chief Executive Officer Julia Scodellaro celebrated the return of On the Banks in 2027.
 
"On the Banks has quickly become one of the highlights of the South Bank calendar, and we're thrilled to bring this partnership with QPAC back to the Cultural Forecourt for a second year," Ms Scodellaro said.
 
"Seeing almost 30,000 people gather along the riverbank for On the Banks this year confirmed what we always believed, South Bank is at its best when it's bringing people together. We can't wait to welcome even more visitors to experience this stretch of the river in a completely new way in 2027.
 
"As South Bank continues to grow as Brisbane's premier cultural, tourism and lifestyle precinct, events like On the Banks show exactly the kind of world-class experience we want locals and visitors to experience, now and as we head towards 2032."

And there’s more to come. Stay tuned for more program announcements. See you by the Brisbane River in February and March 2027!