Fortitude Valley's Brunswick Street Live Festival Is Bringing Its Free Tunes Back for a Second Year

The crushing news that Fortitude Valley icon The Zoo is closing permanently isn't something that Brisbane's music scene will get over quickly, or necessarily at all. But the best way forward for fans of live tunes is to keep showing up to gigs around town, supporting the events filled with and venues hosting them. Brunswick Street Live is one such shindig.

Since 1997, the Valley has put itself in the spotlight with a huge street party, with Valley Fiesta taking a variety of forms over its quarter-century-plus run so far. It's a celebration of hearing live tunes, checking out art and shopping your way around markets — and hitting up the inner-city suburb's bars and eateries, too — that turns the Valley's regular haunts and activities into a festival. But because it's only a once-a-year happening, Brunswick Street Live was born in 2023 to help tide everyone over between Fiestas.

Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons

After a successful first year, the day-long Brunswick Street Live is making a comeback in 2024. The date for your diary: Saturday, May 11. At a time when it is definitely needed, Brisbane gets another excuse to revel in the Valley's live music scene. The name gives away the main place where it's occurring, and the lineup spans not just tunes but also street artists and performers.

From midday, a roster of talents headlined by Eliza & The Delusionals will hit the stage in the middle of the Brunswick Street Mall stage. Also on the bill: Odarka, DJ Jaguar.B, Juno, Curbside Carnies, Neish, Dizzy Days, ixaras and Bean Magazine.

John Smith Gumbula, Shaun Clarkson and Stewart Shuker will be roving around, as will the Curbside Carnies cohort with bubble art and aerial feats. And at The Royal George, Ric's Backyard, Retro's, Blute's Bar and California Lane, music will also echo.

Brisbane City Council via Flickr

When Brunswick Street Live debuted last year, the aim wasn't just to showcase the Valley, its venues and the city's musicians, but to add another annual festival to Brisbane's cultural calendar. Returning for 2024 is the next step in that direction.

Also happening in this part of the city in May: Art on Brunswick, where local artists will get painting on easels built for the occasion,  giving the Valley temporary art installations in the process. It will run on Thursdays and Fridays from Thursday, May 9–Friday, May 24.

Plus, at Eats, Beats and Treats, spending $12 or more at eateries in the MyValley Precinct — spots such as The Ripped Baker, Bare Beanz Cafée, Galactic Donuts and Honey & Yolko — will get you a free treat from Wednesday–Friday between Wednesday, May 1–Friday, May 10.

Brisbane City Council via Flickr

Brunswick Street Live takes place on Saturday, May 11, 2024 in Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley — head to the Brisbane City Council website for further information.