Overview
Where can you play a music game show, watch well-known folks do the same, and possibly spend the evening in the company of Spicks and Specks favourite Myf Warhurst or Murray Cook from The Wiggles — or Broden Kelly and Mark Samual Bonanno from Aunty Donna, Boy Swallows Universe author Trent Dalton, Agro, Ben Lee, Steven Bradbury, Kate Miller-Heidke, Robert Irwin, Ranger Stacey, Craig Lowndes, Tim Rogers, Will Anderson and Adam Hills, plus perhaps members of Powderfinger, Dune Rats, DZ Deathrays, Ruby Fields, Ball Park Music, The Jungle Giants and The Go-Betweens? In Brisbane, there's one answer: at Not on Your Rider.
Taking some cues from Spicks and Specks and the UK's Never Mind the Buzzcocks, aka the show that the hit Australian TV series is based, Not On Your Rider gives the big name-filled music quiz panel show format the live treatment. Yes, the audience gets to play, too. And yes, the event is back for 2025.
This year, there's a few changes in store — not to the format, but to how and when Brisbanites can head along. After the 2025 season kicks off on Thursday, March 20, it'll mostly return bimonthly. So, mark your calendar for Thursday, May 15, plus Thursday, July 10 and Thursday, September 11 as well. Not On Your Rider's Halloween Spooktacular will be back on Thursday, October 30, while the Christmas show will cap off the year on Thursday, December 18.
Also, 2025's events are headed riverside, to the Felons Barrel Hall at Howard Smith Wharves in the Brisbane CBD.
This might be a case of new year, new venue, but the setup remains the same otherwise. Attendees will be peering at a stage, rather than a screen — and answering questions themselves, of course. And if it has you thinking about pub trivia nights, they don't include The Creases' Aimon Clark (who is also behind Isolation Trivia) and Patience Hodgson from The Grates hosting, let alone a heap of entertainment-industry guests.
Here's how it works: Not on Your Rider takes something that everyone loves — showing off their music trivia knowledge — and dials it up a few notches. While the two on-stage teams are always filled with musos, comedians, drag queens and other guests, anyone can buy a ticket, sit at a table and answer questions along with them. The quiz element is accompanied by chats about the music industry, plus other mini games involving attendees.
Not on Your Rider 2025 Brisbane Dates at Felons Barrel Hall
Thursday, March 20
Thursday, May 15
Thursday, July 10
Thursday, September 11
Thursday, October 30 — Halloween Spooktacular
Thursday, December 18 — Christmas show
Not on Your Rider's 2025 Brisbane season runs on various dates until Thursday, December 18 at Felons Barrel Hall, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the Not On Your Rider website.
Images: Darcy Goss Media / Dave Kan / Bianca Holderness.