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On the Banks, a new outdoor live concert series in the heart of Brisbane/Meanjin, is set to bring a stellar lineup of international and Australian acts to the Cultural Forecourt in South Bank in March 2026.
A partnership between the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and South Bank Corporation, On the Banks will transform the riverside green space into a vibrant live music venue with bars and catering on the Brisbane River, against the iconic backdrop of the city skyline.
Set to run from 1 – 22 March 2026, On the Banks’ first lineup features a diverse list of Australian and international headliners and supporting artists. Together they bring a melting pot of alternative, pop, garage, R&B, and hip-hop sounds to the riverside.
On the Banks will feature (in date order) Droppin’ Science with De La Soul (USA), Oddisee & Good Compny (USA) and Miss Kaninna, The Streets (UK), DISCO CLUB, Bernard Fanning, Peach PRC, Marlon Williams (NZ), and for the first time in Brisbane, a one-day celebration of Punjabi music, food and culture – Blockbuster (India/Pakistan). The inaugural outdoor live concert series is set to announce further Australian and international acts in early 2026.
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1 March: Taking it back to the essence, Droppin’ Science is a night dedicated to hip hop in all its forms, celebrating the culture that raised us, the pioneers who opened doors, and the new wave of trailblazers walking boldly through them. Hip-hop icons De La Soul will bring their timeless grooves to On the Banks with Oddisee & Good Compny and Miss Kaninna on Sunday 1 March. True pioneers of the genre, the De La Soul trio has redefined rap with their playful lyrics, jazz-infused beats, and groundbreaking debut 3 Feet High and Rising. With a career spanning over three decades, De La Soul continue to inspire generations, delivering feel-good energy and unmatched stage presence wherever they perform. Rapper and producer Amir Mohamed aka Oddisee and his backing band, Good Compny, will bring their lauded lyrical commentary on sociopolitical issues intertwined with soulful funk to On the Banks as a supporting act. Proud Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Kalkadoon and Yirendali woman, Miss Kaninna, became the first independent Aboriginal woman to be nominated for a single at the ARIA Music Awards. Now the Blak Britney singer, songwriter and rapper will bring her hip-hop, neo-soul, and R&B sounds to On the Banks alongside De La Soul and Oddisee & Good Compny.
6 March: From the UK, On the Banks will welcome the legendary Mike Skinner aka The Streets on Friday 6 March, for the first time ever performing in full, A Grand Don’t Come For Free. The Streets have shaped the sound and spirit of UK hip-hop, garage, and grime since the early 2000s. With anthems like Blinded By The Lights and Dry Your Eyes, Skinner’s razor-sharp lyricism and innovative production have made him a Glastonbury veteran and one of the most influential storytellers of his generation.
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DE LA SOUL
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7 March: Australia’s feel-good phenomenon, DISCO CLUB, is set to light up On the Banks for International Women’s Day weekend on Saturday 7 March. Created by powerhouse Queensland media duo, Lise Carlaw and Sarah Wills, the sell-out sensation has swept the nation, bringing tens of thousands of women together for the ultimate night out singing and dancing. Playing hits from the 80s, 90s, 00s and beyond, DISCO CLUB is everything women miss about clubbing, and nothing they don’t. Follow the call of the disco ball as DISCO CLUB reimagines the girls’ night out.
15 March: One of the country’s most celebrated singer-songwriters, Bernard Fanning, will make his way to On the Banks for a Brisbane “Final Encore” performance for his Tea & Sympathy 20th Anniversary tour, on Sunday, 15 March. Celebrating two decades since the release of his critically acclaimed debut solo album, the Brisbane-born powerhouse and former Powderfinger frontman has solidified himself as a staple in the Australian music landscape, with his emotive and distinctive voice completely capturing hearts. Following multiple sold-out shows, Bernard has assembled an outstanding Australian line up for this event, with Kasey Chambers, The Paper Kites, Troy and Jem Cassar-Daley and Georgia Mooney, to join him on stage. His trophy cabinet holds seven number one albums, 23 ARIA Awards, five APRA Awards, and his catalogue has lasted the test of time. With top hits like Wish You Well, Songbird, Watch Over Me and Thrill is Gone all engrained in the Australian psyche, the city is bound to sing its heart out with Bernard at On the Banks.
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19 March: Australian pop sensation Peach PRC will hit On the Banks on Thursday 19 March. Celebrated for her emotionally rich and vulnerable yet honest songwriting, her debut EP Manic Dream Pixie shot to number one on the ARIA Album Charts. She’s lit up stages at Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival and Spilt Milk, while amassing tens of millions of streams globally. Quickly becoming one of Australia’s most influential new-gen pop visionaries with a cultivated and deeply engaged following, Peach PRC is set to bring her signature glitter-pop energy, magnetic personality and irreverent humour to the riverfront.
21 March: A colourful blend of Punjabi music, food and cultural flair, the programBlockbuster will come to Brisbane’s On the Banks on Saturday 21 March. Artists hailing from Northern India and Pakistan will feature in this curated program that will echoRISING’s Blockbuster program in Melbourne earlier this year. Featuring yet-to-be-revealed artists, Brisbane’s Blockbuster program will bring a fusion of traditional Qawwali folk with Punjabi beats and Pakistani pop music. Blockbuster will make its Queensland debut in the days following Eid al-Fitr with incredible food, art and music to celebrate Brisbane’s vibrant Punjabi community.
22 March: Flying in from Aotearoa, the inimitable Marlon Williams will bring his velvet vocals and cinematic ballads to On the Banks on Sunday 22 March to perform his new album Te Whare Tīwekaweka – an album entirely in Te reo Māori (Māori language), alongside songs from his acclaimed catalogue. An embrace of his cultural identity, Marlon will perform alongside a Kapa Haka choir, dancing and singing in Te reo Māori. Whether you know him from his solo records, duets with the likes of Lorde, or his roles on screen, Marlon’s voice is the kind that stops you in your tracks.
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Sunday 1 March
DROPPIN’ SCIENCE: DE LA SOUL, ODDISEE & GOOD COMPNY & MISS KANINA
Friday 6 March
THE STREETS – Supported by Double J
Saturday 7 March
DISCO CLUB
Sunday 15 March
BERNARD FANNING with Kasey Chambers, The Paper Kites, Troy & Jem Cassar-Daley, Georgia Mooney
Thursday 19 March
PEACH PRC with Maude Latour, Salty – Supported by Triple J
Saturday 21 March
BLOCKBUSTER
Sunday 22 March
MARLON WILLIAMS
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About On the Banks
On the Banks is a new outdoor live concert series presented in collaboration between QPAC and South Bank Corporation. Hosted at the Cultural Forecourt in South Bank, against the riverside backdrop of the Brisbane City skyline, this celebration of live music captures the essence of a Queensland summer — warm evenings, world-class performances, and an inviting community atmosphere. As the sun sets, On the Banks transforms the riverside into a hub of music, connection, and creativity.
About QPAC
Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) has been the proud home of live performance in Queensland for 40 years and welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors to over 1,200 performances annually. QPAC aims to inspire audiences with memorable stories, shared moments, and the magic of live performance. Through its programming, partnerships and facilities, QPAC supports artistic excellence, community participation and sector growth across Queensland. QPAC is located within the thriving cultural and educational precinct at South Bank that encompasses the Queensland Cultural Centre.
About South Bank Corporation
South Bank has been a place for everyone for more than 30 years. Proudly led by South Bank Corporation since 1992, the precinct offers locals and visitors alike, the opportunity to experience the very best of our quintessential Queensland lifestyle. South Bank provides a green oasis to unwind and relax, with vibrant cultural events, world-class arts and diverse dining experiences nestled among the lush green spaces. As the dedicated stewards of the precinct, South Bank Corporation is committed to building on the legacy of South Bank while protecting what people love most, for generations to come.
ON THE BANKS
QPAC, South Bank
March 2026
TICKETS
Tickets for On the Banks are on sale from
Friday 14 November 2025 from ONTHEBANKS.COM.AU or 136 246.
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