Skegss at Alex by the Sea 2026. Photo: Dameeka Middleton for YELO.
The Sunshine Coast live music scene is finding new momentum and four local photographers are documenting it all.
Marc Roberts, Dameeka Middleton, Matt Warren and Lewis Venz are among the Coast’s most in-demand live music photographers, capturing the artists, venues and audiences driving the scene. Much of that work has been driven by their belief in the scene rather than immediate reward, sustained by long nights and a commitment to showing up.
The backdrop to their work is shifting too. Blackflag Brewing is bringing through major touring acts, creating more opportunities for local creatives, while Peregian Beach Hotel continues to back local original artists with regular live bookings.
Elsewhere, Pulse Bar is emerging as the new king of Maroochydore’s live scene, building a program across multiple genres, while Mapleton Public House continues to bring bigger shows into the hinterland. In Nambour, The Presynct is popping off, with many shows selling out, while live music is also spilling into unexpected spaces, including a recent heavy show at Nambour Bowls Club.
Photographers play an important role in a live music ecosystem, helping build audiences and strengthen cultural identity. By documenting its artists, crowds and rooms, they make a scene visible, encouraging people to turn up, support venues and invest in local music.
Meet the photographers
These photographers are valued YELO contributors, each bringing their own distinct flair to the Sunshine Coast’s live music scene.
Marc Roberts
Marc Roberts has become one of the defining photographers of Nambour’s punk and hardcore scene, documenting it from inside the rooms where it has taken shape.
His work with YELO has grown into broader industry coverage, including galleries for BLUNT Magazine. In early 2026, Marc presented No Barriers at The Old Ambo in Nambour, a photography exhibition documenting the rise of the Sunshine Coast punk and hardcore scene through its bands, crowds and venues.
For Marc, the line between photographer and participant is pretty thin. He has become a familiar figure at Black Box Theatre, Nambour heavy shows and underground gigs across the Coast, building a visual record of the scene while it is still unfolding.
Dameeka Middleton
Dameeka Middleton has carved out her own lane across photography, writing, music and radio. Completely immersed in live music, she has built a body of work by getting involved and following where the music takes her.
From Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast and across Moreton Bay, Dameeka has become one of those people who seems to pop up everywhere. She shoots, she writes, she plays bass, and hosts Rock It Show, a community radio program in Caboolture.
For YELO, her work spans Bluff Fest and Alex by the Sea, alongside shoots with The Hives, Grinspoon and Pulp.
More from Dameeka Middleton on YELO
Dameeka Middleton website
Matt Warren
Matt Warren is something of a dark horse in the Sunshine Coast photography scene. He has been a familiar figure in the local music industry for about a decade, mostly in the background, criss-crossing darkened rooms with a camera in hand and catching moments other people miss.
Modest, unassuming and deeply enthusiastic about photography, Matt’s work stretches beyond live music into wildlife. There is local lore about him waiting for hours in a hide for an owl to finally turn his way, then nailing the frame of his life.
That same patience and instinct carries into dark, chaotic rooms. He has photographed Enter Shikari at Blackflag Coolum and all-ages heavy shows at Black Box Theatre in Nambour, where the moment can disappear in an instant.
Lewis Venz
Lewis Venz is the man of the moment, seemingly everywhere at once and showing no signs of slowing down.
Working across the Coast and as far south as Byron Bay, Lewis has been on a relentless run, getting the shot and moving straight on to the next assignment. He is also a constant presence at Blackflag Brewing, regularly documenting the crowds, bands and chaos around the venue.
Through Midset Productions, Lewis has quickly become one of the region’s most visible young photographers. Recent YELO shoots include Dear Seattle at Pulse Bar and Sons of the East at Kings Beach Tavern. His strength is momentum: close to the stage, constantly moving and seemingly always where the next good frame is about to happen.
Dear Seattle at Pulse Bar
Sons of the East at Kings Beach Tavern
Meet all YELO photographers and explore more of their work
Through their lens
Marc Roberts
Deafheaven at The Princess Theatre, Brisbane. Photo: Marc Roberts for YELO.
Dameeka Middleton
Bluff Fest at Alexandra Headland. Photo: Dameeka Middleton for YELO.
View the Bluff Fest Day 1 gallery
Matt Warren
Enter Shikari at Blackflag Coolum. Photo: Matt Warren for YELO.
View the Enter Shikari gallery
View the ZUKO gallery
Lewis Venz
Dear Seattle at Pulse Bar. Photo: Lewis Venz for YELO.
Need your event covered?
If you have a gig, festival or live event you’d like YELO to cover, get in touch. We work with experienced local photographers and can help connect the right person to the job.
Or browse more local photographers, galleries and contact details on YELO’s Photographers page.
