In 2007, prolific American music magazine
Billboard named Brisbane as one of five cities spawning exciting live music scenes. The article listed the plethora of Brisbane artists to make it big internationally, such luminaries as The Bee Gees, The Saints and Powderfinger to name but a few. Part of Brisbane's success came from the variety of venues providing performance spaces for unknown acts. So where can you see the next Resin Dogs or Pete Murray perform?
The Zoo (
711 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley) is a well known venue for up and coming and indie artists, and has seen performances by then-unknown musicians like Powderfinger, Regurgitator and Butterfingers (in fact, Butterfingers front man Eddie Jacobson used to work at The Zoo.) More recently, Aussie acts like Amy Meredith and Lior, as well as unknown Brissie artists, can be found on the events calendar. The Zoo is a standing room only venue and is wheelchair friendly.
Ric's (
321 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley) is a more laid back venue providing performances by a huge range of different artists – from hip hop to rock to funk to coastal chill. A trio of regular DJs provide dance tracks from Thursday till Saturday night. Ric's is a funky space where patrons can sit down and enjoy a cocktail while listening to some groovy tunes.
To catch national and international acts, the
Hi-Fi (
125 Boundary Street, West End) attempts to fill the void left by the levelling of Festival Hall. Hi-Fi is a large capacity venue and a lot more convenient than heading out to Boondall to catch a show at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Upcoming gigs include performances by Manic Street Preachers, Philadelphia Grand Jury, Guttermouth, The Gin Club and Thirsty Merc.
The Troubadour (
3/322 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley) is a live music venue first and a bar second – when it's not hosting kooky, indie musicians, it becomes an thriving pub where the phrase 'What happens at The Troubadour stays at The Troubadour' is law. The Troubadour is open Monday to Sunday from 6:00pm until 2:00am. While the bar can accommodate 200 people, it is best to book ahead if you wish to see a popular band.
These are just a few of the places providing exciting and quality live music to residents of Brisbane. If you love live music and would like to see it continue to thrive, get out and support the pubs and clubs offering live music – the small suburbans spaces as well as the popular inner city bars.
