Main image: Red Hook take to the stage at Blackflag’s Something Cool Festival. Photo by Dameeka Middleton.
The Sunshine Coast live music scene is thriving, as new residents continue to move to the region and venues evolve to meet growing demand.
Nambour welcomed The Presynct last year, while Birtinya saw new life breathed into The Station, with both now emerging as major players in the local music ecosystem.
Whether you’re visiting or a local looking to tap into the scene, these are some of the Sunshine Coast’s top live music venues right now.
1. Norton Music Factory, Caloundra
Owned by a local musician, this hidden gem in Caloundra West’s industrial estate has become a favourite for both punters and performers. Coined by musicians as a “paradise for music lovers“, the two-stage venue holds up to 400 people and regularly hosts touring acts, alongside good food and cold beers.
It’s also home to Liam Norton’s electrical business and custom guitar workshop, and notably, all profits from the venue go to local charities — with more than $40,000 raised to date.
Website: https://nortonmusicfactory.com.au/
2. The Presynct, Nambour
Run by creative mother-daughter duo Rusty and Cherry, this eclectic, steampunk-inspired cocktail bar offers intimate shows across genres including EDM, jazz, drum and bass and heavy music.
Cherry serves up bespoke cocktails (with a solid booze-free list too), while mum Rusty runs front of house. Described by Rusty as “an extension of our house”, the venue blends vintage styling with a strong focus on supporting local artists. Website: https://www.thepresynct.com.au/.
Photo by Ben Russoniello.
3. Blackflag Brewing, Coolum
Newcomers to the Sunshine Coast live music scene, Blackflag’s beachside brewers have been putting on some seriously big shows.
Pricey’s sold-out The Big Weekend Festival in July saw The Bennies and Dave Gleeson roll through for an all-out rock show, while Something Cool Festival — featuring Bodyjar and RedHook — knocked the socks off Doc-wearing punters last month. Both events drew strong crowds, with more than 1,200 tickets sold across the two.
The goth-punk brewery, which also runs a ‘back-alley’ bar in Mooloolaba, offers a relaxed, slightly chaotic vibe where Coolum’s industrial edges meet the Coast’s late-night crowd.
Website: https://www.blackflagbrewing.com.au/
4. Solbar, Maroochydore
Ocean Street’s beating heart of live music – in the night-club and entertainment strip of downtown Maroochydore – is Solbar, a rite of passage for local and touring musos, and its music-loving punters. Much of the staff are accomplished musicians and the venue is a major promoter of Sunshine Coast original music. This year we’ve seen Illy, King Stingray, Kingswood and The Smith Street Band here. This surf-side music institution also serves up head-sized burgers and some of the best pizza in town. You can even catch a few all-ages shows, perfect when you can’t find a babysitter!
Website: https://www.solbar.com.au
5. The Station, Birtinya
When NightQuarter closed down, locals didn’t expect to see the colourful shipping container playground revived. But new owners stepped in, rebranding the space as The Station — complete with its own skate ramp.
Since bringing in record producer Alex Henriksson (who co-owns Rainbow Valley Records with Matt Corby) and teaming up with Wollongong promoters Yours and Owls, the venue has quickly cemented itself as a major player in the local live music scene.
Big names have already rolled through, including Tame Impala, Grinspoon, Dune Rats and Sheppard, with more acts like The Dreggs, PNAU, Xavier Rudd, Rudimental, Amyl and The Sniffers, Ziggy Alberts and Pennywise on the way.
Keep an eye on our gig guide — these guys announce big shows regularly. Website: https://thestationsc.com.au/
Photo by Dameeka Middleton
6. Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra
This impressive beach tavern won Best Regional Venue at the Queensland Music Awards, and is also a bustling beachside bistro and bar.
It also moonlights as one of the Sunshine Coast’s best live music venues, with big names like Spice Girls’ Mel C, The Rubens, Thundamentals, The Grogans (pictured), Pacific Avenue, The Southern River Band and Sneaky Sound System rolling into town.
Website: kingsbeachtavern.com.au/entertainment
7. Sandstone Point, Sandstone Point
Just 45 minutes down the road from Caloundra, Sandstone Point has
Just 45 minutes from Caloundra, Sandstone Point has brought international stars like Prince, Post Malone, Khalid, Joan Jett, Ice Cube, Good Charlotte and Bryan Adams to Bribie Island.
The Comiskey Group’s award-winning venue will host Lookout Festival in February, with Grinspoon, JET and The Veronicas all set to play.
And just wait until the ‘mega-monster’ Aura Hotel is built in Caloundra, or their proposed festival site at Coochin Fields — the Comiskey Group is set to own a serious stake in Queensland’s live music landscape.
If day festivals and big acts are your jam, make Sandstone Point Hotel your next stop.
Website: https://sandstonepointhotel.com.au
8. Alleycat Espresso, Coolum
On Friday and Saturday nights, this alleyway espresso bar turns up the heat with pumping late-night tunes and good vibes. As the sun sets on Coolum Beach, cuppa joes are swapped for colourful cocktails, and breakfast bircher gives way to crunchy snapper tacos.
It’s when the Coast’s best musicians fill the space with homegrown grooves that things really kick off. We’ve seen Andy V (ex-Raw Ordio), Hayden Hack, Luke Anthony James and Jordan Mac all play this local favourite.
If you want live music as a side to your weekend catch-ups with mates, be sure to pop into Alleycat Espresso.
Website: https://alleycatcoolum.com.au
9. Alex Bluff Bar, Alexandra Headland
The first-ever Bluff Fest went off last month, with The Terrys (pictured) and The Grogans headlining a new surf-rock festival.
Organisers sold 1,200 tickets in just four days, with a strong focus on supporting local artists. Nana’s Pie, Karlou, Brook St and Emily Rink all featured on the line-up.
The festival was launched to celebrate the club’s 100-year anniversary and proved so popular that more events are already in the works.
Locals are also loving the new pop-up beach bar, running across selected weekends this holiday season. Keep an eye on their website for dates.
Website: https://www.alexsurfclub.com.au/news
10. Villa Noosa Hotel, Noosaville
If you’ve ever caught a live music show in Noosa, chances are it’s been at Villa Noosa. The venue has hosted the likes of Grinspoon, Dellacoma and Shihad, and remains a go-to spot for catching your favourite bands.
They also serve up solid pub fare, and the beer is always cold.
Website: https://www.villanoosa.com.au
11. Black Box Theatre @ The Old Ambo, Nambour
Nambour is quickly growing into a major arts destination, with this purpose-built theatre and live music venue catering to a wide range of genres.
But it’s the region’s hardcore scene that’s really making Black Box home, with local promoters Bad Habit, No No Records and Anti-Vision bringing international acts to this big ol’ country town.
Acts like Dark Thoughts (USA) and Peter and the Test Tube Babies (UK) have played here recently.
The air-conditioned, soundproof space holds up to 100 people and features a segmented stage that can be moved to suit different setups.
Website: https://theoldambulancestation.com/
12. Coolum Beach Hotel, Coolum
Some of the Sunshine Coast’s best have have passed through the CBH, including Pricey, Raw Ordio and DeSaint.
An all-star local lineup has also taken over the pub for the It Starts at Home Music Festival, featuring acts like Jonny Sonic (Potbelleez).
Website: https://www.coolumbeachhotel.com.au/
13. Imperial Hotel Eumundi
Another Comiskey Group venue, the Imperial Hotel is a popular hinterland spot for live music.
The venue has hosted touring acts including The Beautiful Girls, Ben Lee and The Whitlams.
Recent renovations are underway, with updates to the bar and band room expected as part of a broader refresh.
