The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) has announced it will host two internationally acclaimed acts as part of Open Season 2025, a city-wide celebration of contemporary music and immersive arts in Brisbane.
Launched in 2020, Open Season is a growing winter program, cutting through the chillier weather and showcasing diverse musical talents and innovative performances across multiple venues. As part of next year’s season, QPAC’s Concert Hall will welcome Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós on 28 May and American jazz composer Kamasi Washington on 12 June.
Sigur Rós will be joined by the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of conductor Robert Ames. This performance is part of their Australian orchestral tour, and will feature a selection of the band’s most well-known works alongside music from their latest album, ÁTTA. The Brisbane date follows sold-out performances in other major cities.
Returning to Brisbane for the first time since 2022, Kamasi Washington will also appear as part of the program. Washington has performed alongside artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Herbie Hancock, and Florence + the Machine.
Open Season Creative Director Dave Sleswick said the inclusion of QPAC as a venue represents a new level for the festival:
What started as a small, independently-run, winter series has grown into one of the country’s most exciting and diverse music programs and with the addition of QPAC as a major programming partner, we’re expanding what’s possible for live performance in Brisbane.
Every year, Open Season gets bigger, bolder, and harder to ignore. This time, with QPAC on board, we’re taking over the whole damn city. Brisbane, get ready—we’re about to get loud and we’re not sorry about it.
QPAC Chief Executive Rachel Healy added that the partnership provides a platform to engage new audiences:
This is the first time we’ve partnered with Dave and the team at The Tivoli Group to present performances at QPAC as part of Open Season; it’s proving to be a brilliant collaboration, and we love that we’re increasing the footprint and audience of this awesome festival.
Both QPAC and The Tivoli Group are all about ensuring as many people as possible experience live performance together. We’re passionate about presenting both new and emerging artists as well as those established and already loved, and shouting from the rooftops that Brisbane is well and truly a live music capital.
It’s thrilling to see Open Season grow every year and the program this year is better than ever. It really is fast becoming a destination music festival for Brisbane and we’re very proud to be on board.
Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek also expressed his support for the growing festival, stating:
The highly anticipated return of Open Season in 2025 will attract visitors and animate Brisbane venues with its exciting live performance.
The Crisafulli Government’s support of Open Season through investment in the Queensland Arts Showcase Program and Strategic Partnerships Fund reinforces our state’s reputation as a vibrant cultural destination.
Another feature of the 2025 program will be BLAK DAY OUT, a recurring event celebrating First Nations culture, music, and food. Presented in partnership with Blak Social, Open Season, and QPAC’s Clancestry initiative, the event will take place on 26 July at The Princess Theatre and include performances by Christine Anu, Thelma Plum, and Miss Kaninna.
Tickets for Sigur Rós and Kamasi Washington will be available from 9am AEST on 27 March via the QPAC website, in-person via the QPAC Box Office, or by calling their team during working hours on 136 246. Tickets for BLAK DAY OUT will also be available from 9am the same day via the Open Season Live website.
