Nambour’s music scene hits right note with global bands

Nambour is rapidly becoming a hotspot for international music acts, according to a prominent promoter in the Sunshine Coast region. In collaboration with local record store Bad Habit Records on Howard Street, promoter Sydney Kerley from No No Records has been instrumental in transforming the local music landscape, especially for alternative and punk genres.

“Recently, we’ve seen a significant influx of international touring bands playing shows in Nambour,” said Mr Kerley. This shift is marked by performances from notable groups such as UK punk rock legends Peter and the Test Tube Babies, who chose Nambour over Brisbane for their latest gig. Additionally, American band Dark Thoughts will soon grace Nambour’s stages alongside The Unknowns, a side project of popular band The Chats.

A turning point for music

The emerging trend is addressing a long-standing community complaint about the lack of live music in the Sunshine Coast. “It’s beginning to seem like a bit of a turning point for live music here,” Mr Kerley noted. Feedback from various Facebook community posts and direct conversations indicates that local residents’ perceptions are positively changing.

“As Nambour continues to attract international acts, it cements its place as an essential destination for music lovers across the Sunshine Coast and beyond,” he said.

 “I also think a large appeal is a lot of the shows that happen within the Nambour scene are all-ages shows. We often do shows within the community and we’ll have full families come out. Furthermore, it also breathes creativity into the minds of younger people with often lots of teenage metal and punk bands playing at the volunteer-run ‘Old Ambulance Station’.”

Mr Kerley said another driving factor was the genre-based variety. “I organized my very first No No Fest on Saturday, July 27 and included in that all-ages gig were some country bands, a funk band, some psychedelic rock, a noise band and of course metal and punk rock. I think having this variety within shows not only keeps it entertaining but furthers the international band’s interest. Hence more and more bands are opting out of the Brisbane venues to come to Nambour. 

“A lot of the art and music communities here are very interwoven with each other. You’ll often see showcases of street art mixed in with abstract art exhibitions and the same can be said for music. Last week, I went to a show which consisted of a country band playing with a techno band. 

“I think the sprawling diversity while being deeply interconnected is what is resonating with communities outside of the Sunshine Coast and making them take notice of our little cultural hub.”                       

– Cameron Outridge

Sydney Kerley