A staple of Brisbane's live music scene for two decades, Valley Fiesta will go ahead in 2020 with four days of programming (19-22 November) spread across fourteen venues.
Given current travel restrictions, this year's line-up celebrates Brisbane's upcoming home-grown acts and pays tribute to the legacy carved out before them.Programme highlights include Expo 88, a Brisbane super group featuring members of The Jungle Giants, Ball Park Music, Sweater Curse, Good Boy and Simi Lacroix playing hits from a cavalcade of Brisbane icons outside at The Brightside.
DZ Deathrays will be downing their guitars and drum sticks, instead picking up a pair of headphones for a special DJ set following a Greta Stanley show.
Things will get heavier when punk rockers WAAX and VOIID join forces for a night of sweaty, seated moshing at The Zoo.
For the older music lover, Screamfeeder and Babaganouj will team for an old-school bill outdoors at The Brightside that also welcomes youngsters Dopamine and another all-star band, Total Pace.
On the post-punk, new wave tip, legendary Robert Forster brings his dulcet tones to Black Bear Lodge, supported by another Brisbane musical luminary, Seja.
Other gigs to add to your schedule include performances from Lastlings, Kate Miller-Heidke, First Beige, a rare The Cairos sighting, OKA with Chris Tamwoy, Jaguar Jonze, and Peach Fur, plus new Brisbane transplants, Tired Lion.
Powderfinger and The Church guitarist, and Valley Fiesta 2020 Ambassador, Ian Haug says Brisbane's Fortitude Valley has an international reputation as one of Australia's premier entertainment precincts.
"From The Saints and The Go-Betweens to Regurgitator and Screamfeeder to DZ Deathrays, WAAX and The Cairos, Brisbane has been a long-time incubator of musical talent through live music venues and festivals.
"Brisbane has an amazing music heritage and I'm excited for this year's Valley Fiesta programme that looks back at our past as well as highlighting the fantastic new talent being nurtured in our city's live music venues."
Valley Fiesta 2020 is presented by Brisbane City Council and QMusic, and is a COVID-safe event operating within current COVID-safe plans stipulated by Queensland Health.
"The return of Valley Fiesta comes at a critical time for venues in the Fortitude Valley Live Entertainment Precinct who have been hit extremely hard after COVID-19 shutdowns and subsequent capacity restrictions," QMusic CEO Angela Samut says.
"We are grateful for the support from Brisbane City Council and Councillor Vicki Howard who has a strong focus on our Community, Arts and Night-time Economy.
"This event has been solely orchestrated to enliven the [Fortitude] Valley economy and get people back to frequenting live music again and celebrate Brisbane's music scene and local heritage."
There are still announcements to be made about Valley Fiesta programming at The Fortitude Music Hall, Ivory Tusk, The Royal George Hotel & Ric's Bar & Cafe, The Sound Garden, Suzie Wongs Good Time Bar and Woolly Mammoth. Stay tuned.
2020 Valley Fiesta takes place across the Fortitude Valley Precinct (Brisbane) 19-22 November. Tickets on sale.
2020 Valley Fiesta Lineup
ApparitionsAusten
Bababanouj
Ben Tenison
BLUSSH
The Cairos
Chris Tamwoy
COLLAR
Concrete Surfers
Dameeeela
Danmark
Deafcult
DJ Chantal
DJ Girl in the Garage
Dopamine
DZ Deathrays (DJ set)
Elko Fields
Feelsclub
Felivand
First Beige
Flamingo Blonde
Gold Start
Grace Green
GRAIN DJs
Great Sage
Greta Stanley
HANNI
Jaguar Jonze
Kate Miller-Heidke
Lastlings
Kobrakai
Melaleuca
Mid Ayr
Mumgenes
The New Calm
Niki Dé Saint
OKA
Peach Fur
Perve Endings
Pete Smith (DJ Set)
Pipin
Radium Dolls
Robert Forster
Screamfeeder
Seja
Squidgenini
Syrup
Tired Lion
Total Pace
Verum
Victor Bravo
VOIID
WAAX
Walken
Wedance
WHALEHOUSE
White Light Station
Wivenhoe
2020 Valley Fiesta Venues
Black Bear LodgeThe Brightside
The Brightside Outdoors
The Fortitude Music Hall
Greaser
Ivory Tusk
O'Skulligans
The Royal George Hotel
Ric's Bar & Cafe
The Sound Garden
Suzie Wongs Good Time Bar
The Tivoli
The Triffid
Woolly Mammoth
The Zoo
