Gone are the days when the Gold Coast was just known for it's gorgeous beaches. Now, we boast that and so much more, like our a seriously talented creative scene with talented local musos and rad gig spaces.
The Coast has got a wide range of genres and vibes to cater for every music lover, and to make catching a gig even easier, we’ve wrapped up the best live music venues on the Gold Coast for you.
Miami Marketta
Miami
A fave among locals, Miami Marketta is always bringing us something new but one thing remains the same, killer live beats every Friday and Saturday ‘til late. With big acts like Matt Corby and Meg Mac rocking out on their stage in the past, get your weekly dose of music at one of our favourite haunts on the Coast. Our tip? Get there early to devour mouth-watering eats from the food stalls and throw back a cocktail at the Gin Parlour.
Soundlounge
Currumbin
This unassuming joint is tucked away on the top floor of the Currumbin RSL, but don’t let that fool you, Soundlounge is known for hosting some of the best gigs on the Coast. With a space that can be configured for 300 to 700 people, you can get up close and personal with your fave acts. Previous gigs include Custard, British India and Tijuana Cartel. Plus, the booze here is some of the most affordable you’ll get on the Coast.
Mo’s Desert Clubhouse
Burleigh Heads
Decked out with cacti filled drum kits, an extravagant psychedelic mural, homely couches and makeshift pallet tables, Mo’s Desert Clubhouse is a gritty creative and music space we’re head over heels for. Bands can tune up in the Mojo Room before heading to the Warehouse, for an intimate 200-person capacity. Even better, it's BYO!
The Scottish Prince
Palm Beach
Home to hundreds of whiskies, this moody Palm Beach bar is the kind of place you lose hours in–for a very good reason. Grab a dram, order some whisky and maple glazed lamb cutlets and slink into a cosy booth, while enjoying soulful live tunes Tuesday through Sunday. You’ll find your next favourite artist here guaranteed.
Cafe Catalina
Southport
Every Sunday arvo from 3pm to 6pm, these sun-loving chillers are bringing you the best live, acoustic tunes. Bundle up your dog, grab a cocktail and set yourself up at Southport's Cafe Catalina. Promoting local musicans is something this joint is proud of, so be sure to add them into your weekend hit list.
Advancetown Hotel
Advancetown
Outdoor festivals are what we live for and at Advancetown Hotel, every day feels like one. A short 20-minute drive from our Gold Coast homeland, lap up some rays and get jiggy with live music at this breezy hinterland location. Hosting some epic acts such as Gold Coast’s own Maddison Kat, fit with a horns section, Cake faves and more. Take the scenic route and bring in the weekend right.
Eddie’s Grub House
Coolangatta
This grungy mixing pot of whisky, fried chicken and heart breakers has your evening boogie set to a tee. Head down to Eddie’s Grub House on Tuesday’s for Jam Night, Fridays for live tunes and basically any other night of the week to have a cracker of a time in Coolangatta’s best rock’n’roll bar.
Sofar Sounds
Roaming Locations
Feeling like checking out more of a cosy, intimate gig? Sofar Sounds has this to offer and so much more. Set in a mysterious location emailed to you a day before the event, schmooze with local musos in the comfort of, well, we don’t know. But if the rave global reviews are anything to go by, you’re in for a goodun.
Shark Bar
Miami
A faithful local drinking hole, catch live acoustic acts downstairs, electrifying psychedelic shows upstairs and the occasional festival filled with all of your faves on the rooftop. We’re talkin’ Grinspoon, DZ Deathrays and Butterfingers to name a few previous guests. Grab a schooner and your mates and head down on any given Friday, Saturday or Sunday for some seriously cool gigs at Miami Tavern's Shark Bar.
The Cambus Wallace
Nobby Beach
Whiskey Wednesdays, Blues Tuesdays, these guys are all about mixing moody tunes with even muddier grooves reminiscent of a getaway to New Orleans. At The Cambus Wallace, check out regular bands donning self-playing drum kits, gritty bass lines and harmonicas galore. Pull up a stool and yoho your way into a night of pure nautical bliss.
Iron & Resin Garage
Currumbin
Rumbling Harleys, piping hot coffees and live tunes every Sunday morning from 9am really gets our motors running, and makes Iron & Resin hands down one of the coolest live music venues on the Gold Coast. Secretly, we love the purr of a two wheeler and let’s be real, brekky burgers as big as your head just go hand in hand with living life in the fast lane. Raw and edgy, the rock-blues combo of Iron & Resin’s local acts are worthy of a phoar or two.
The Coolangatta Hotel
Coolangatta
Gracing our southern foreshore, The Cooly Hotel is one of the top spots for live music on the Gold Coast. There’s something about walking straight from the sand dunes into the pub that really gives us holiday vibes and everybody knows that sea salt hair is best swished in front of a stage. With big acts like The Preatures, The Rubens and Thirsty Merc hanging out at The Cooly Hotel on the regular, check out this joint if you’re serious about catching live shows worthy of an autograph.
Burleigh Brewing Co.
Burleigh Heads
The legends at Burleigh Brewing Co. know what’s up. That’s why delicious food trucks, mesmerising live art and hollering music on at least one day of every weekend is a given. If you’re serious about beer, this one’s for you. Check out the taphouse and watch a coupla bands in the arvo before boogying away your worries. Those moves will make you stiff competition in the next dance off. Or maybe that’s the brewskies talking.
All Of The Markets
Various Locations
One of the top spots for live music on the Gold Coast is…the markets! Doing an excellent job of providing a platform for local musos, we can’t get enough of wafting soulful tunes during our morning rack rummage. Burleigh’s The Village Markets, Palm Beach Farmers Markets, The Green Marquee or anything by Gold Coast Design Collective, are just a few epic spots where you can catch live tunes every weekend alongside your bargain veggie haul.
After more sweet tunes? Check out the hottest tracks from Australia and New Zealand's very best emerging and established artists below.
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