The Masters Apprentices to Headline Brisbane Winter Sessions Festival
ARIA Hall of Famers reunite with Doug Ford as citywide music festival returns in August
The Masters Apprentices will headline this year’s Brisbane Winter Sessions Festival, leading a diverse two-week program that will bring more than 30 artists to 12 venues across the city from August 2-16.
The 2026 festival will feature 14 events spanning rock, jazz, indie, world music, electronic music and queer club culture, with performances taking place across Fortitude Valley, New Farm, West End, Newstead and Woolloongabba.
The headline attraction sees ARIA Hall of Fame inductees The Masters Apprentices return to Brisbane for a special performance at The Triffid on Sunday, August 16.
In what organisers are calling a rare reunion, founding members Mick Bower and Brian Vaughton will be joined by songwriter and guitarist Doug Ford for the first time in more than 25 years. The performance reunites key creative figures from both eras of one of Australia’s most influential rock bands.
Formed in Adelaide in 1965, The Masters Apprentices helped define Australian rock with classics including Turn Up Your Radio, Living In A Child’s Dream, Because I Love You, Wars or Hands of Time and Undecided. Their catalogue has continued to resonate across generations, with artists including Radio Birdman, Silverchair, Hoodoo Gurus, The Reels and Gnarls Barkley all drawing inspiration from or covering their work.
Festival organiser and ARIA Award-winning musician Tyrone Noonan said this year’s event was the most musically diverse since Brisbane Winter Sessions began.
“This year we’ve assembled a lineup that truly reflects what Brisbane sounds like in 2026,” Noonan said.
“From ARIA Hall of Famers The Masters Apprentices to Balkan brass bands, music from the African diaspora, world-class international DJs, hidden laneway jazz clubs, indie rock fundraisers and queer club nights, there’s genuinely something for everyone.”
Noonan said securing The Masters Apprentices for the festival was a major coup.
“Having The Masters Apprentices headline, with Doug Ford joining Mick Bower on stage for the first time in 25 years, is a once-in-a-generation moment. These are the songs that built Australian rock and roll. To bring that history to The Triffid as part of our festival is incredibly special.”
Elsewhere on the bill, Grinspoon frontman Phil Jamieson will bring his PJ Air Tour to Crowbar Brisbane, previewing material from his forthcoming second solo album 10Charlie.
International DJ and producer DJ Vadim will headline a free event at Flying Colours in West End, joined by Resin Dogs’ DJ Katch and DJ Tyrone.
Jazz also features prominently, with performances from The Primetime Sextet, the Mitch Bellert Quintet and Dr Jeff Usher, whose tribute to Ray Charles draws on more than four decades as a performer.
World music remains a major focus of the festival, with Queensland’s Olifantenpad Brass Band performing alongside GOSTI at Mirrorball Ministries, while Diaspora Calling will celebrate African music and culture through DJs, live performance and spoken word at Jiva on Brunswick.
The program also includes A Night Of Light & Shade, featuring ARIA Award winner Tyrone Noonan, Fergus Hogan and Satellite Mile, while Black Bear Lodge will host Raising the Roof Volume 03, a National Homelessness Week fundraiser supporting Brisbane Youth Service.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said festivals such as Brisbane Winter Sessions played an important role in supporting local venues and the city’s night-time economy.
“Brisbane Winter Sessions celebrates our city’s live music scene, bringing leading artists and local talent to some of Brisbane’s most loved venues,” he said.
“Events like this support small businesses and jobs while giving residents more free and affordable ways to enjoy everything Brisbane has to offer.”
The festival will feature a mix of free and ticketed events, with organisers continuing their focus on accessibility while supporting local artists, venues and independent businesses.
Brisbane Winter Sessions runs from August 2-16 across 12 venues, including The Triffid, Crowbar Brisbane, Black Bear Lodge, Ric’s Bar & Backyard, Flying Colours, The Junk Bar and The Alligator Club.
Tickets and the full program are available now.