From late February through March, the Cultural Forecourt at South Bank will transform into an open-air live music venue for On the Banks, a new concert series presented by QPAC and South Bank Corporation. Framed by the Brisbane River and city skyline, the series is designed to capture that specific Queensland magic — warm nights, food and bars within easy reach, and headline acts soundtracking it all.
Opening the series on Wednesday, February 25 is King Stingray, the Yolŋu surf-rock outfit whose live shows have become synonymous with big sing-alongs and bigger energy. Emerging from Yirrkala in Northeast Arnhem Land, the band fuse Yolŋu Manikay (songlines) with indie rock, creating a sound that feels both grounded in Country and built for festival stages. "Aussie crowds are the best at sing-alongs, making you feel welcome and getting across our live shows," the band says — and if you've seen them live, you'll know exactly what they mean.
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Queensland has played a defining role in the band's journey. Bassist Campbell Messer and drummer Lewis Stiles were born and bred in the state, and the band famously played their first-ever show supporting The Chats at the Highfields Tavern in Toowoomba.
Their songwriting, too, is deeply tied to place. Tracks like 'Camp Dog' draw from real-life experiences riding bikes through Yirrkala community, while 'Get Me Out of the City' was written about two aunties getting lost in the city — stories that blend humour, culture and lived experience. With album three currently in the works — and hints of "feel good funk, psych rock and genre-bending tracks" to come — their opening-night set feels like both a homecoming and a statement of what's next.
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Beyond opening night, the series continues with a stacked cross-genre lineup: MARINA (with special guest Mallrat) brings her disco-lit electropop era to Brisbane, Grace Jones takes over the riverfront with her inimitable, high-drama stagecraft, Maoli delivers island-infused reggae and country-soul, and Sarah Blasko joins Marlon Williams for a closing-night set rich with late-night reflection.
They'll appear alongside previously announced acts including De La Soul, The Streets, Bernard Fanning, Peach PRC and more — turning South Bank into a rotating outdoor stage for some of the biggest names touring Australia this season.
On the Banks runs from February 25 to March 22 at the Cultural Forecourt, South Bank. Find out more and secure tickets via the website.
This article was produced in partnership with Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
