Overview
Live music is back, finally. Now, every day seems to bring news of another tour or returning festival heading our way before 2022 is out, or arriving over summer. From Arctic Monkeys and Flume to Megan Thee Stallion headlining Festival X and TISM reforming for Good Things — just to name a few — there's no shortage of gigs to look forward to. Something big to add to that list: the return of Queensland Music Trails in 2023.
Back in 2021, this statewide event held a trial run, and now it has been locked in for a proper stint next year. That'll mean huge music gigs and festivals held at 25 locations around Queensland — basically turning heading to see live music into a massive road trip.
That 2021 trial trail focused on the state's outback, spanning everywhere from Jimbour to Charleville — plus Quilpie as well. They'll all get return events in 2023, alongside Toowoomba, Roma, Blackall, Longreach and Winton.
As always initially planned, that outback trail will be joined by three others: in the far north, along the reef and in the southeast. The first will span Paronella Park, Yarrabah, Cairns, Barron Gorge, Kuranda and Mossman/Port Douglas, while the second will hit up Mackay, Proserpine, Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island, Bowen and Townsville. And, Brisbane will sit alongside the Sunshine Coast, Scenic Rim, Gold Coast and Stanthorpe as well.
Mitch Lowe
Exactly what kinds of shows and gigs will feature in 2023, and who'll headline them, hasn't been revealed as yet — but the 2021 trial included opera shows in a homestead, chamber music under the stars, a blend of puppetry and tunes against a scenic backdrop, to name a few. Next year, it's planned to link the trail to some existing events, too, possibly including the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers and Cairns Indigenous Arts Festival.
An initiative of QMF (Queensland Music Festival), Queensland Music Trails will return thanks to a $20-million investment by the Queensland Government over the first three years.
"Through this program, you'll be able to see some of the world's biggest stars play at some of the most remote and picturesque destinations in the country," said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, announcing the news.
"From country and western in Stanthorpe, to indie rock in the Whitsundays, classic rock in Townsville, opera in the outback or Indigenous artists at Yarrabah Music and Cultural Festival – these events will expose tourists to some of the best experiences Queensland has to offer."
Mitch Lowe
QUEENSLAND MUSIC TRAILS 2023 LOCATIONS:
OUTBACK:
Toowoomba
Jimbour
Roma
Charleville
Blackall
Quilpie
Longreach
Winton
FAR NORTH:
Paronella Park
Yarrabah
Cairns
Barron Gorge
Kuranda
Mossman/Port Douglas
THE REEF:
Mackay
Proserpine
Airlie Beach
Hamilton Island
Bowen
Townsville
SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND:
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Scenic Rim
Gold Coast
Stanthorpe
Queensland Music Trails will return in 2023, hitting up 25 locations around the state. We'll update you with further details when they're announced — and you can head to the event's website for more information in the interim.
Images: Katrina Lehmann / Mitch Lowe.