Brisbane’s live music culture is preparing for a major boost with The Brightside, one of Fortitude Valley’s most recognised venues, announcing its boldest transformation yet. Dubbed “The Next Stage,” the redevelopment will convert the venue’s car park into a new outdoor performance space known as Brightside Outdoors, adding new dimensions to Brisbane’s nightlife and cultural landscape.
The project arrives at a crucial moment for the music industry. Across the country, many smaller venues are struggling with rising costs and shifting audience habits. By contrast, The Brightside is doubling down, investing in its future and the role it plays in supporting both grassroots and international live music.
Since opening more than a decade ago, The Brightside has hosted hundreds of shows each year and welcomed a wide spectrum of artists. In the past twelve months alone, more than 350 events have been staged at the venue. Performers ranging from King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard to Amy Shark, IDLES and Violent Soho have all featured, underlining its importance as both a launchpad and a reliable stop for touring acts.
The redevelopment is designed to ensure that this legacy continues and expands, equipping the venue for the next decade of Brisbane’s cultural life.
Phase One – Rolling Out in 2025
The first stage of works will focus on performance quality and artist facilities. Key additions include:
- A purpose-built outdoor stage with a permanently installed L-Acoustics concert sound system
- A fully equipped artist green room with toilets and direct stage access
- A flexible VIP and friends & family mezzanine with elevated views
- Upgraded bar, cold room and storage facilities to enhance service efficiency
These changes are aimed at reducing production costs, smoothing event operations, and delivering an improved experience for audiences and performers alike.
Phase Two – Expected in 2026
The second stage takes the upgrade further, ensuring year-round usability and expanding audience capacity. Planned features include:
- A fully retractable roof over the outdoor stage to weatherproof events
- New toilet and accessible facilities serving both indoor and outdoor spaces
- A rooftop bar overlooking Brightside Outdoors, creating new event options and additional revenue streams
This phase will give the venue the flexibility to host everything from intimate local gigs to larger festival-style productions.
The project has the support of QMusic and Queensland’s Nightlife Economy Commissioner, John “JC” Collins. Once complete, it is expected to create around 20 new jobs while bolstering Brisbane’s position as a destination for live music.
Operations director Noah Honeywill has emphasised that the works are not just about new infrastructure but about future-proofing the venue itself. By investing in a more versatile and multi-dimensional space, The Brightside is aiming to stay ahead of audience expectations and secure its place as a cultural anchor in Fortitude Valley.
The redevelopment carries significance beyond the venue’s own walls. Brisbane is approaching a period of unprecedented global attention in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic Games, and the city’s cultural offering will be an important part of how it is presented internationally. The Brightside’s investment signals confidence in Brisbane’s creative future and reinforces Fortitude Valley as the heart of the city’s music and entertainment scene.
For audiences, the upgrade means more opportunities to enjoy live performances in a setting designed for comfort and quality. For artists, it provides better facilities, reduced touring costs and a stronger platform to connect with Brisbane audiences.
By embarking on this redevelopment, The Brightside is positioning itself not just as a venue but as an institution investing in the future of live performance. The Next Stage is both a physical transformation and a cultural statement, underscoring the importance of live music to Brisbane’s identity.
Construction will be delivered in two phases, with the first stage expected to come online in 2025 and the second stage following in 2026. Once complete, Brightside Outdoors will add a new chapter to the venue’s story and ensure its role at the heart of Brisbane’s live music culture well into the next decade.
