Full Steam Ahead at The Station
As winter settles over the Sunshine Coast, it’s not just the heaters warming things up – live music is too. Ida Fink Gundtoft tunes into the musical magic lighting up The Station.
You know the kind of place where the vibes dance through the air, palm trees sway like backup dancers, and your taste buds go on tour thanks to flavour-packed food and drink stalls?
That’s The Station – a wildly creative playground for music lovers, foodies, festival-chasers and good-time seekers. And this winter, they’re cranking the vibe up to hot summer standards.
Nestled in the beating heart of Birtinya, The Station isn’t just a venue – it’s an experience. Think late-night stars twinkling above colourful murals, the aroma of street eats embracing you like a warm hug, and the pulse of basslines blending with the laughter of friends. It’s equal parts edgy and inclusive, gritty and gorgeous. No wonder it was named QLD Music Awards Accessible Venue of the Year 2025. Yep – inclusivity, accessibility and fun waiting for you at one glowing hotspot.
This season, The Station is unleashing its biggest ever winter program – and we mean BIG! Through to the end of August, the all-weather Platform 1 is hosting an avalanche of live gigs, culture-packed fests and community fuelled moments that will give you chills of the fun kind.
It all began with the Sunshine Coast Music Awards on 1 June – a night of well-deserved recognition and local pride. Then came the metal mayhem on 14 June as Make Them Suffer tore up the stage with Justice for the Damned and The Gloom in the Corner; and for the punk-rock power people, Tough Girls Wear Pink served noise, empowerment and all-out anthems. It was loud. It was raw. It was a whole vibe.
Missed it? Don’t worry! There’s a full program packed with events ready to rock and roll.
July doesn’t skip a beat – launching with Blak, Proud & Next-Gen Loud for NAIDOC Week on 4 July, led by the magnetic J MILLA and supported by Lil Mase. One day later, Winter One-derland takes over (5 July), serving a musical snowstorm headlined by The Presets, Crooked Colours, Haiku Hands and more.
Just when your dancing shoes need a breather, A Night at Wembley (12 July) reignites the flame with tribute acts to Queen so pitch-perfect you’ll swear Freddie’s back. Add in a tribute to INXS in true Aussie style and warm up those vocal chords to sing along!
The next day, 13 July, keep the groove alive with Big Vibes; a sunshine-y Sunday sesh starring Raw Ordio.
Still with us? Ball Park Music hits the stage on 18 July for an indie lover’s dream night, with Bean Magazine and Platonic Sex. The icons keep coming – 10CC (19 July), Karnivool (20 July), and Northlane (1 August) all headline acts that promise everything from hypnotic prog-rock to full-throttle mosh pits.
August is also where The Station unveils a brand new jewel: The Station Songbook Series. Kicking off 9 August with Sympathy for the Devil: A Rolling Stones Tribute, this rotating concert concept breathes Queensland soul into the songs you love, brought to life by Sunshine Coast talent. It’s a tribute – but with a local twist. We will be running hot for this one!
The energy continues with Bliss N Eso dropping lyrical fire on 15 August, followed by the EDM-meets-Latin explosion that is Audioholics (23 August). And to wrap this epic season? The Balin Forever Festival returns under a new name: BFF Festival, landing on 30 August with a big, bold, heartfelt music-and-community-fuelled bang. The lineup will include Australian Idol winner Marshall Hamburger as the headline act so you’re in for a real treat.
And because community is always at the core of The Station, every Friday and Saturday night from 5pm, enjoy free or cheap live music with street food, local beer and that signature Sunshine Coast magic – even when there’s something on in Platform 1. It’s dog-friendly, all-ages, and all kinds of fun. What’s not to like?!
“This winter, we’re all in,” says Chris Hignett, owner of The Station.
“From massive touring acts to genre-defying festivals and community showcases, this season is a love letter to live music in all its forms. We’re inviting everyone – locals and visitors – to rug up, show up, and experience it with us.”
So, consider this your official boarding call. Whether you’re there for the bands, the beats, the burgers or just the vibes, the Station is ready to show you a good time.
So rug up, rock out, and join the ride. Your winter just got amplified!
WINTER WINNERS @ THE STATION!
Make The Station your destination for hot, live music this winter:
Friday + Saturday Nights from 5pm enjoy live, free or cheap music for all ages.
And in the all-weather Platform 1, get your tickets to:
4 July: NAIDOC week, J MILLA + Lil Mase
5 July: Winter One-derland Festival with The Presets and more
12 July: A Night at Wembley – tribute to Queen and INXS
13 July: Big Vibes – Sunday session with Raw Ordio
18 July: Ball Park Music
19 July: 10CC
20 July: Karnivool
1 August: Northlane
9 August: Sympathy For The Devil – a Rolling Stones tribute (as part of The Station’s Songbook Series)
15 August: Bliss N Eso
23 August: Audioholics feat. Mariano Mellino
30 August: BFF Festival with Marshall Hamburger
Tickets are on sale now via Moshtix. But don’t snooze – many shows are expected to sell out. Visit www.thestationsc.com.au for more events and tickets.
