A COOLER MUSIC FESTIVAL: BRISBANE WINTER SESSIONS RETURNS IN AUGUST FEATURING ARIA HALL OF FAMERS THE MASTERS APPRENTICES.
Brisbane Winter Sessions Festival returns this August with two weeks of live entertainment across 12 venues, 30-plus artists and 14 events. The 2026 program brings together Australian rock, international DJs, Balkan brass, African diaspora sounds, jazz, indie, singer-songwriters and queer club culture across Fortitude Valley, New Farm, West End, Newstead and Woolloongabba. The festival continues its support for local artists, venues and the small businesses that rely on a strong night-time economy.
HEADLINER: THE MASTERS APPRENTICES
ARIA Hall of Fame inductees The Masters Apprentices headline the 2026 festival, bringing one of Australia’s most enduring rock stories back to Brisbane. Formed in Adelaide in 1965, the band helped shape Australian rock with classics including “Undecided”, “Wars or Hands of Time”, “Living In A Child’s Dream”, “Turn Up Your Radio” and “Because I Love You”.
More than 60 years on, founding members Mick Bower and Brian Vaughton still perform with Craig Holden, Bill Harrod and Dan Matejcic. For their Brisbane show at The Triffid on Sunday 16 August, they’ll be joined by songwriter and guitarist Doug Ford for the first time in more than 25 years — a rare reunion of the key songwriters from both sides of the band’s history. Their songs have travelled well beyond the 1960s and ’70s, covered and sampled by artists including Radio Birdman, Silverchair, The Reels, Gnarls Barkley and Hoodoo Gurus .
A BROAD LINEUP
This year’s program covers a wide span of sounds and scenes. International DJ, producer and Jazz Fudge/Ninja Tune label founder DJ Vadim (UK/Russia) brings his blend of hip-hop, reggae, dub, soul, funk and electronica to a free event at Flying Colours in West End, supported by DJ Katch (Resin Dogs) and DJ Tyrone.
Grinspoon frontman Phil Jamieson brings his solo PJ Air Tour to Crowbar Brisbane, performing songs from his forthcoming sophomore album10Charlie.
Jazz is well represented, with The Primetime Sextet at The Alligator Club, the Mitch Bellert Quintet at The Ruby Jazz Club, and Dr Jeff Usher presenting an intimate tribute to Ray Charles. Blind since birth, Dr Usher has spent more than 40 years as a performer and holds a PhD in music composition from the University of Queensland.
World music features strongly at Mirrorball Ministries, where Olifantenpad Brass Band, Queensland’s only Balkan/Eastern European brass band, will perform music from Ukraine, Turkey, the Balkans and Romania alongside GOSTI, whose members draw on percussion traditions from Nigeria and South India.
Diaspora Calling at Jiva On Brunswick is a free celebration of African music and culture with DJs, live performances and spoken word. At Black Bear Lodge, Raising the Roof Volume 03 will raise funds for Brisbane Youth Service during National Homelessness Week, with indie and alt-rock acts Vinted Vineer, Lottie McLeod, Exit Guide and Chelsea Costar, hosted by Flamingo Blonde.
A Night Of Light & Shade at The Junk Bar features ARIA Award-winning artist Tyrone Noonan (george), Gold Coast songwriter Fergus Hogan and progressive darkwave artist Satellite Mile, while Kristy Apps & The Perfect Storm and Cosmic Sun Lounge bring indie rock and jangly pop to The Cave Inn. Machine and No Right Turn take over Ric’s Bar & Backyard across two nights in the Valley, joined by DJs AS.98 and Glassy DJ.
The festival’s inclusive programming also includes The Precious Baddies at Spice Nightlife, Brisbane’s weekly queer club night, featuring drag performers Beverly Kills, Luna Thicc and special guest DJs Shadeya, Kayty Banks and house DJ Richie Lestrange .
ACROSS BRISBANE: FROM THE VALLEY TO THE SUBURBS
Running from August 2-16, Brisbane Winter Sessions spans venues across Fortitude Valley, Newstead, West End, New Farm and Woolloongabba. Venues include The Triffid, Ric’s Bar & Backyard, Spice Nightlife, The Alligator Club, Black Bear Lodge, Crowbar Brisbane, Jiva On Brunswick, The Ruby Jazz Club, The Junk Bar, The Cave Inn, Flying Colours and Mirrorball Ministries. With events spread across inner-city and suburban precincts, the festival helps draw people into local venues and supports small businesses across the city .
Organiser, producer, and ARIA award-winning artist Tyrone Noonan said the 2026 festival is the most musically diverse yet.
“This year we’ve assembled a lineup that truly reflects what Brisbane sounds like in 2026. From ARIA Hall of Famers The Masters Apprentices to Balkan brass bands, music from the African diaspora, world-class international DJs, hidden laneway jazz clubs, indie rock fundraisers and queer club nights, there’s genuinely something for everyone. That’s always been the dream: To show that Brisbane’s music scene is as broad and as deep as any city in the world.”
“Having The Masters Apprentices headline, with Doug Ford joining Mick Bower on stage for the first time in 25 years, is a once-in-a-generation moment. These are the songs that built Australian rock and roll. To bring that history to The Triffid as part of our festival is incredibly special.
“We’re also proud that so many of our events are free this year. Live music should be accessible. Whether you’re discovering a new artist at a suburban pub on a Thursday night or dancing to DJ Vadim in West End on a Sunday afternoon, Brisbane Winter Sessions is about gathering people through music, about community, and it’s about connection. That’s what keeps us going.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Winter Sessions would support local businesses by bringing live music to venues across the city
“Brisbane Winter Sessions celebrates our city’s live music scene, bringing leading artists and local talent to some of Brisbane’s most loved venues,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Events like this support small businesses and jobs while giving residents more free and affordable ways to enjoy everything Brisbane has to offer. We are proud to support festivals like this that showcase Brisbane as Australia’s lifestyle capital and create more to see and do across our city.”
Civic Cabinet Chair for Community and the Arts Councillor Vicki Howard said Brisbane Winter Sessions was a much-loved addition to the city’s cultural calendar.
“This fantastic event is a great example of how live music brings communities together and showcases the talented artists we have across our city,” Cr Howard said.
“With events across well-known venues and suburban spaces, Winter Sessions gives residents more opportunities to discover new artists and support local businesses. We are proud to back events like this that celebrate our city’s creativity, strengthen our night-time economy and make Brisbane’s lifestyle even better.”
ACCESSIBILITY AND COMMUNITY
The festival includes a mix of free and ticketed events, with many shows free entry, making live music more accessible while supporting local and touring artists, venues and crew. It also includes a major community fundraiser for Brisbane Youth Service, with 100% of ticket proceeds donated.
Brisbane Winter Sessions gives emerging and established artists a platform to connect with audiences and helps create the kind of inclusive, energetic atmosphere that reflects Brisbane’s music community. Proudly supported by Brisbane City Council, the festival continues to grow each year and offers something for almost every kind of music fan this winter.
ENDS
For further information, images, additional comments, or to set up any interviews, please contact:
Tyrone Noonan
E: [email protected] M: +61 468 745 351
For more information click here
