One of Australia’s most influential contemporary music festivals is set to make waves on the Gold Coast.
Laneway Festival will mark its 21st year by moving south to debut at Southport Sharks on Saturday 7 February 2026.
In 2025 Laneway Festival celebrated a record-breaking, sold-out tour across six cities in Australia and New Zealand, attracting hundreds of thousands of music fans.
Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said bringing Laneway Festival to the Gold Coast for the first time is a huge win for the city.
“Laneway Festival has built a global reputation for curating some of the biggest names in music from around the world and bringing it to the Gold Coast further builds our reputation as a live music and cultural destination.” Mr Warn said.
“We can’t wait to welcome music fans from across Queensland and interstate who will travel to the city to be part of this exciting new chapter.”
Laneway Festival continues to shape music culture by curating high-impact, socially driven lineups with high-profile and emerging artists and is expected to attract more than 30,000 music fans to the city.
Over two decades the festival has enticed some of the biggest names in music to Australia including Lorde, Billie Eilish, Haim, The xx, Florence + The Machine, Foals, Fred again.. and Charli xcx.
Southport Sharks CEO Dean Bowtell said: “Hosting Laneway Festival is a milestone moment for the Gold Coast as we work together to grow a world-class cultural calendar.”
“Redevelopment across the city (Brisbane) in the lead-up to 2032 provides an incredible opportunity to secure major events, and Southport Sharks is proud to be part of that journey.
“Through our Masterplan investment in community facilities and event spaces, and by deepening our partnerships with the City of Gold Coast, Experience Gold Coast and beyond, we’re committed to shaping a vibrant future for our city.”
Laneway Festival Co-Founder Danny Rogers said: “We’re so excited to bring Laneway Festival to the Gold Coast for the very first time.”
“The support we’ve felt already has been incredible – from the community, from council, and from the team at Southport Sharks.
“We’ve been so impressed by the enthusiasm and can’t wait to celebrate the festival’s 21st birthday on the Gold Coast with a world-class festival experience for everyone.”
The Gold Coast’s live music scene continues to evolve, with the city now a regular stop for major international acts including Pearl Jam and Harry Styles, while also hosting homegrown festivals such as Out2Lunch, Blues on Broadbeach, and Groundwater Country Music Festival.
The diverse calendar highlights the city’s growing reputation as a live music destination, attracting artists and audiences across genres and cementing the Gold Coast’s place on Australia’s cultural map.
The 2026 Laneway Festival lineup will be announced Thursday 18 September.
For more on Laneway Festival, head to www.lanewayfestival.com
ENDS
CONTACT Jo Wormald | 0412 996 011 | jo.wormald@experiencegoldcoast.com
Laneway Festival assets are available HERE for your use. Media must acknowledge the Event Organiser, Photographer and any other relevant parties when using photographic images.
Laneway Festival will mark its 21st year by moving south to debut at Southport Sharks on Saturday 7 February 2026.
In 2025 Laneway Festival celebrated a record-breaking, sold-out tour across six cities in Australia and New Zealand, attracting hundreds of thousands of music fans.
Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said bringing Laneway Festival to the Gold Coast for the first time is a huge win for the city.
“Laneway Festival has built a global reputation for curating some of the biggest names in music from around the world and bringing it to the Gold Coast further builds our reputation as a live music and cultural destination.” Mr Warn said.
“We can’t wait to welcome music fans from across Queensland and interstate who will travel to the city to be part of this exciting new chapter.”
Laneway Festival continues to shape music culture by curating high-impact, socially driven lineups with high-profile and emerging artists and is expected to attract more than 30,000 music fans to the city.
Over two decades the festival has enticed some of the biggest names in music to Australia including Lorde, Billie Eilish, Haim, The xx, Florence + The Machine, Foals, Fred again.. and Charli xcx.
Southport Sharks CEO Dean Bowtell said: “Hosting Laneway Festival is a milestone moment for the Gold Coast as we work together to grow a world-class cultural calendar.”
“Redevelopment across the city (Brisbane) in the lead-up to 2032 provides an incredible opportunity to secure major events, and Southport Sharks is proud to be part of that journey.
“Through our Masterplan investment in community facilities and event spaces, and by deepening our partnerships with the City of Gold Coast, Experience Gold Coast and beyond, we’re committed to shaping a vibrant future for our city.”
Laneway Festival Co-Founder Danny Rogers said: “We’re so excited to bring Laneway Festival to the Gold Coast for the very first time.”
“The support we’ve felt already has been incredible – from the community, from council, and from the team at Southport Sharks.
“We’ve been so impressed by the enthusiasm and can’t wait to celebrate the festival’s 21st birthday on the Gold Coast with a world-class festival experience for everyone.”
The Gold Coast’s live music scene continues to evolve, with the city now a regular stop for major international acts including Pearl Jam and Harry Styles, while also hosting homegrown festivals such as Out2Lunch, Blues on Broadbeach, and Groundwater Country Music Festival.
The diverse calendar highlights the city’s growing reputation as a live music destination, attracting artists and audiences across genres and cementing the Gold Coast’s place on Australia’s cultural map.
The 2026 Laneway Festival lineup will be announced Thursday 18 September.
For more on Laneway Festival, head to www.lanewayfestival.com
ENDS
CONTACT Jo Wormald | 0412 996 011 | jo.wormald@experiencegoldcoast.com
Laneway Festival assets are available HERE for your use. Media must acknowledge the Event Organiser, Photographer and any other relevant parties when using photographic images.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.