Queensland Music Festival

Editorial

Set up in 1990 as the Brisbane Biennial Festival of Music, the Queensland Music Festival has grown remarkably in the intervening years. These days it runs over 17 days, multiple venues and showcases the best in local and international artists. The scope of acts on the 2009 bill is huge and takes in everything from straightforward live performances to more 'conceptual' work. A guy from Finland is creating 'Earth Machine Music' using local farm machinery and farmers. Up in Charleville, a three-man theatre production is being staged along the banks of the Warrego River. Meanwhile, back in Brisbane, three composers have been commissioned to produce works exploring what Queensland might look like in the future.

As for the actual live performances, there are over 80 acts, spread out over the event's 17-day schedule. Some of the more high-profile names include Bernard Fanning, Paul Kelly, Clare Bowditch, John Butler and Kev Carmody. Internationally, acts like Dan Hicks and Joaoa Rabella will round out the line-up. Hicks has been entertaining US audiences with his mix of swing, jazz, folk and country music for over 40 years now. Rabella leads a new generation of Brazilian guitarist. Basically, there's a little something for everyone.
Mikolai, June 2009