Jordan Lawrence (far right) and Calan Mai are bringing all-ages live music and art to Bli Bli Hall through Pretty Fly for a Bli Bli. Image: Supplied.

Upcoming grassroots gigs are creating new live music opportunities across South East Queensland, as pressure on traditional venues pushes artists and promoters to think outside the box.

On the Sunshine Coast, Pretty Fly for a Bli Bli at Bli Bli Hall and a fast-filling Sofar Sounds show in Burnside point to a growing shift towards independently run events in adaptable community spaces.

From community halls to backyard gigs and DIY shows, organisers are finding creative, low-cost ways to keep local live music moving.

Local artists turn community spaces into live music hubs

Pretty Fly for a Bli Bli on May 2 is an all-ages, artist-led live music and art event curated by Jordan Lawrence of Calan Mai — a clever nod to US band Offspring — and created in response to the loss of performance spaces across the region.

Set in a community hall, Jordan said the event was a considered response to the recent loss of local performance spaces, reflecting a growing move towards adaptable venues outside the traditional model.

“At a time when live spaces across the region are disappearing, this event is a small but deliberate attempt to inject new energy into the scene, creating space for local artists to perform and for the community to come together,” he said.

Tickets to Pretty Fly for a Bli Bli: here.

A new scene emerges as venues say their goodbyes

The emergence of grassroots-led events comes at a time of wider disruption across Queensland’s live music landscape.

Recent venue closures have reshaped opportunities for performers and promoters. Brisbane venue Can You Keep A Secret closed on Saturday night (April 4) after 17 years, following earlier pressure that also affected its sister venue It’s Still A Secret. The loss followed wider concerns across Brisbane’s venue sector, including the closure of long-running venue The Zoo.

On the Sunshine Coast, The Station ceased operations earlier this year, while Solbar and Terella Brewing have also faced operational pressure linked to rising costs.

Smaller spaces such as Black Box Theatre in Nambour, Sunshine Coast Brewery in Kunda Park, Nickels & Dimes in Tewantin, and intimate rooms like The Nook in Cooroy are helping keep live music active across the region.

Long-running backyard-style events such as Marshy’s Moonshine Music at Rancho Relaxo in Palmwoods, along with picnic-style pop-up events like Troubadour Wagons’ Secret Garden at the Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden, also show how informal, community-driven formats continue to play an important role in the local scene.

The Queensland live music scene is not disappearing, but reorganising.

While established venues remain under pressure, grassroots organisers are building new ways for artists to perform and for audiences to stay connected to live music.

Check out more gigs like this in YELO’s Grassroots Gig Guide.