Main picture: US rapper and singer Jelly Roll (pictured with MGK) will headline new country music festival Strummingbird, alongside viral hoedown favourite Shaboozey, as part of the vibrant Sunshine Coast live music calendar this year.
The Sunshine Coast is quickly shedding its reputation as a sleepy beachside ‘retirement’ destination, writes Yelo’s Penny Brand.
From high-end EDM artists bringing diners to their feet in Coolum’s pumping night-time bistros to laid-back Sunday sessions at The Woombye Pub, the nightspots of the Coast are firing on all snow cones.
With sun-soaked sands and internationally-renowned surf breaks, it’s no wonder this South-East Queensland nature’s wonderland attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Not to mention the tsunami of new residents.
Picture (by Marc Roberts): Sunshine Coast live music punters go wild for Alpha Wolf at The Station.
Beneath the region’s tourist-centric and often opaque surface, lies a brilliant and diverse creative underbelly, brimming with world-class offerings. With wide-open spaces to rejuvenate, and creative hubs which foster community and connection, this beachside favourite is fast-tracking to becoming an entertainment wonderland for visitors and residents alike.
Did you know the Coast is home to Australia’s highest population of musicians per capita?
Alexandra Headland: The first Alex by The Sea music festival. Photo by Dameeka Middleton.
Sunshine Coast live music industry news highlights 2025:
- Sunshine Coast Music Industry Collective (SCMIC) hosts first-ever Sunshine Coast Music Awards.
- Big Pineapple Festival celebrates 10 years with Hilltop Hoods and The Cat Empire.
- Jelly Roll and Shaboozey headline new country music festival Strummingbird.
- Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) continues to re-establish Nambour’s title as capital of live music.
- Alex Bluff Bar steps up as major industry player with new festival Alex by The Sea.
- Local supergroup Phil and The Blanks go viral overnight with debut hit “GOOD BOY”.
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Population boom sheds ‘sleepy retirement village’ image
The Sunshine Coast live music economy is experiencing a boom, after a post-COVID influx of sophisticated southerners and cashed-up inter-staters migrated to its sub-tropical shores.
Many of the Coast’s resident professional musicians have long benefited from the lucrative wedding and events sectors. And now the live music venues and hospitality businesses are having their day too.
This new wave of enthusiasm is forging some of the best collaborations in years. Yama Nui’s senior producer OJ Newcomb joined forces with The Presynct, bringing a wealth of industry knowledge to the venue and cocktail bar in gentrifying Nambour.
Popular Noosa Junction restaurant Mr Drifter launched Drifter Sessions, a video series of professionally recorded, live music sessions at the vibrant Asian street food restaurant and cocktail bar.
At The Station, in Birtinya, owners Chris and Lauren Hignett continue to bring in some of the biggest Australian and international acts. This year we’ve already seen legendary Aussie hip-hop act Bliss n Eso (pictured). As well as the UK’s Rudimental, hardcore act Northlane and Aussie EDM greats The Presets.
The hinterland townships continue to overflow with chock-full community programs such as Maleny Lane, which gives a platform to country and folk artists, such as Chris Cobb.
Chris Cobb, who is currently on The Voice Australia, is pictured with his family.
The lads at Blackflag Brewing did their bit for the local economy this year with more epic carpark rock shows in their Coolum industrial estate, such as The Big Weekend and a rock-fusion event featuring Sarah McLeod and pub favourites Raw Ordio, both attracting big crowds.
And hinterland drinking holes such as Mapleton Pub hosted big–name acts like Ben Lee, while the Maroochy Botanical Gardens in Tanawha continues to entice, with days out and picnics with the Troubadour Wagons.
Gentrifying Nambour offers memorable nights out
Pictured: Rusty and Cherry are a mother-daughter duo bringing live music to The Presynct. By Ben Russoniello.
Thanks to initiatives such as Nambour’s SEP, and the formation of independent music industry body SCMIC, the Coast can now add cultural richness to its long list of unforgettable experiences for tourists and locals alike.
And it’s all taking off at the geographical heartland of the Coast, in the quintessential Queensland town of Nambour.
Nambour is the gateway to the lush hinterland and acts a central meeting spot for travellers criss-crossing the neighbouring villages. It has a bustling creative community and is chock-full of character and charm.
With property prices soaring it hasn’t taken long for the suburb to reinvent itself as the capital of live music. Nambour’s underground scene is becoming a heavy metal epicentre, with music promoters bringing a trove of massive acts to venues. ARIA-award winning hardcore band SPEED played a sold-out show earlier this year at Black Box Theatre at The Old Ambo.
Put these awesome Sunshine Coast live music venues on your bucket-list!
Things to do on the Sunshine Coast
Looking for things to do on the Sunshine Coast in live music and entertainment?
Yelo is one of Queensland’s premier indie music and culture magazines, capturing life both on and off the stage. The journalist-led digital publication offers a human snapshot into some of the most vibrant hubs.
Bookmark yelo.live and the Sunshine Coast Gig Guide to stay-up-to-date with local gigs.
Not from here or just visiting? Yelo has a Brisbane Gig Guide, Gold Coast Gig Guide, and a Queensland Gig Guide is on its way!
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Sunshine Coast Gig Guide
The Sunshine Coast Gig Guide is an up-to-date list of the best local gigs.
Yelo also cooks up another coupla bananas – the Gold Coast Gig Guide and Brisbane Gig Guide, bringing zesty music news to South-East Queensland, and beyond. Keep your eyes peeled for the new Queensland Gig Guide.
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Catch Yelo on air with ABC’s Sarah Howells
Tune into ABC Sunshine Coast on Tuesdays at 10am when Yelo’s Penny Brand chats with Sarah Howells about everything local music.
They play two songs every week and discuss all the best upcoming gigs.
Both Sarah and Penny are working hard on the Sunshine Coast Music Industry Collective, an independent body responsible for the Sunshine Coast Music Awards.
Catch up on their last few shows here >> www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/sunshine-mornings.
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About Yelo: Our mission for a human-centred future
Yelo stands for inclusiveness, accessibility, connectedness, community, and music as therapy.
Our publication tells the stories of its people, and promotes a prosperous future for the Queensland music, arts and cultural landscape.
We want to inspire while keeping our community informed.
Yelo believes these things are are natural antidotes to life’s hardships.
Our mission is to encourage a less digitally-obsessed society, and promote a more active and creative population.
One which utilises its local halls, theatres, pubs, venues, backyards, and other unique spaces.
It’s all out there, you just have to lean in and find it. And it’s our job to help with that.
