24 days of free music events celebrate the G20

Published Monday, 29 September, 2014 at 01:30 PM

Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts
The Honourable Ian Walker

Brisbane’s iconic music scene will be celebrated with 24 days of free live music acts as Queensland prepares to welcome the world’s leaders for the G20 Summit.

Arts Minister Ian Walker said from October 24 to November 16, hundreds of Queensland’s most talented musicians will take to stages across the city and suburbs of Brisbane to perform solo, collaborative and one-off shows as part of the G20 Cultural Celebrations.

“There will be 4,000 delegates and about 3,000 media who will visit Brisbane during the G20, making it a once in a generation opportunity for Queensland,” Mr Walker said.

“In all, there will be about 14,500 Brisbane hotels rooms booked for this event, which is great news for our tourism industry.

“The economic boost to Brisbane alone will be $100 million, so the flow-on effects to Queensland generally will be enormous.

“The G20 is really something to celebrate and this free music program allows us to do just that.

“It is designed to appeal to a range of audiences and the artists throughout this program represent Brisbane to the world as the tremendous music city that we all know it to be.”

Mr Walker said Opera soprano Maggie Noonan, pop artist Emma Louise and blues and roots duo Busby Marou highlight the diversity of the free music events on offer.

“More than 50 free music events will use a variety of Brisbane’s performance spaces from established music venues, special concert halls such as St John’s Cathedral and the Old Museum, to more unconventional and suburban locations including Yeronga Pool and Sandgate Town Hall,” he said.

Among the huge line-up of free events on offer: 

  • Brisbane singer-songwriter Emma Louise will play the Hi-Fi on October 25, off the back of achieving international chart-toppers throughout Europe.
  • Rockhampton blues and roots duo Busby Marou will hit the suburbs for a special performance with Jackie Marshall on Thursday 6 November at Bramble Bay Bowls club.
  • Acclaimed opera soprano Maggie Noonan will feature in a series of concerts at St John’s Cathedral, including A Prayer for Peace, on November 4. The concert will also include original works by Tyrone Noonan, world renowned didgeridoo player William Barton, and acclaimed Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal, all accompanied by the Camerata of St John’s.

 Creative Director of the G20 Cultural Celebrations Athol Young said the program celebrated the talent and diversity of Brisbane’s music scene.

“Brisbane is known internationally for its unique and ever evolving live music scene that has produced many of the country’s most celebrated artists,” Mr Young said.

“We have curated this program to bring together a diverse array of genres and events with a focus on supporting our local artists, producers, promoters, agents and managers.”

“No matter where you live or what music you’re into, there is something for everyone.”

Visit www.qld.gov.au/g20cultural for the full music program including dates times and venues.

[ENDS] 29 September 2014

Media contact: Monica Rostron 0409 126 332

Alexandra Stokes – P4 Group 0429 119 653