Ipswich amping up to become Queensland’s live music capital for SPARK Ipswich
29 June 2022
An indie music crawl taking over CBD venues leads a live music program full of Queensland’s best and exciting new talent for SPARK Ipswich - 7 to 17 July 2022.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said SPARK Ipswich’s 11-day city-wide program of events and activations includes a showcase of the state’s next crop of rock, pop and hip-hop stars, classical masterpieces, musical treats from across the world and so much more.
“Waghorn to West is Ipswich’s multi-venue indie live music crawl where, for one night only, CBD venues become a haven for music lovers wanting to experience the best of Queensland’s scene alongside some of Ipswich’s most exciting emerging talent,” Mayor Harding said.
“You will be able to rock out to 16 artists including Bugs, Lisi, Greta Stanley, Hallie and Asha Jefferies across four live music venues between Waghorn and West streets, along Brisbane Street.”
This year’s expanded festival program features several new additions including the festival’s hub – luminate – where friends and family can gather and enjoy SPARK AFTER DARK in the rejuvenated Ipswich Central and WOMI, now a free one-day World Music Festival in Springfield Central.
“A new hub at Timothy Molony Park will combine the best views of deLight at St Mary’s Church and pixel, the algorithmic light show at council’s administration building, with an outdoor stage that will shine a nightly light on local artists, and feature delicious food truck offerings to stave off the cold,” Mayor Harding said.
Council, in partnership with QMusic, will also host Sound the Horn - Waghorn to West’s music industry development event. The workshop will feature talks from Alex Henriksson (Matt Corby), Braydon Ritson (Front Row Artists, Mountain Goat Valley Crawl), Kristy Gostelow (Tia Gostelow, Busby Marou) and Maggie Collins (DZ Deathrays and Association of Artist Managers Australia), who will help artists plan their next professional steps in the industry.
Community, Culture, Arts and Sport Committee Chairperson Councillor Andrew Fechner said SPARK Ipswich celebrates the creative and diverse communities that make Ipswich a special place to live.
“There are events for everyone, from the enormous light installations of SPARK AFTER DARK in the city centre to Little Day Out at Ripley – Ipswich’s immersive, hands-on festival designed for children, headlined by Queensland music legends Regurgitator’s cool kids show POGOGO,” Cr Fechner said.
“For grown-ups, the Waghorn to West indie music crawl is a fabulous night to follow the fun between Circa 160, Goleby’s Basement, Hotel Metropole, and Studio 188 to experience the full line-up of wonderful musicians before heading back to Hotel Metropole for the official afterparty.”
SPARK Ipswich 2022 will deliver 15 events over 11 days. The full program and ticketing information are available at SparkIpswich.com.au
SPARK IPSWICH LIVE MUSIC PROGRAM SNAPSHOT:
LUMINATE: Thursday 7 to Sunday 17 July
Timothy Molony Park
Gather and graze at the new festival hub, featuring live performances in Timothy Molony Park nightly from 6pm to 9pm. Artist line-up includes Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal Dance Company, Bullhorn, Annie and the Helm, Orpheus Corale, Cambrian Show Choir, Las Chimilitas, Brooke Austen, Kim Wright, Jarrad Wrigley, Taylor Wilton, Ipswich SHS Jazz Band, Ipswich City Big Band and many more.
Illuminations: Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra: Friday 8 July
Ipswich Civic Centre
French chic meets British refinement in a performance of classic works by Elgar, Debussy and Britten.
SOUND THE HORN: Saturday 9 July
Level Up, Connect and Get Noticed! Waghorn to West’s music industry development event, empowering you to ask questions, develop networks and gain access to experienced music industry specialists.
WAGHORN TO WEST, 9 July
Circa 160, Goleby’s Basement, Hotel Metropole and Studio 188
Ipswich’s multi-venue indie live music crawl. 16 Queensland artists take over four venues for one epic night of live music. Artist line-up includes Bugs, Lisi, Greta Stanley, Hallie, WIIGZ, Asha Jefferies, Austin McKay, Dennis., Emily Grace Taylor, Flamingo Blonde, Melaleuca, Nicole McKinney, Clayton Francis, DuO, Soviet X-Ray Record Club and T.A.S.
WOMI: Sunday 10 July
Main Street, Orion Springfield Shopping Centre
A one-day world music festival showcasing and celebrating the vibrancy of Ipswich and South East Queensland’s culturally and linguistically diverse community. Line-up includes Matt Hsu’s Obscure Orchestra, Sasta, Estampa, MZAZA, No Way Jose, East of West, Tibet2Timbuk2, Shanasheel Arabic Music Ensemble, Mircha Mangiacotti Quartet and many more.
Boyd Meets Girl: Friday 15 July
St Mary’s Church
Australian classical guitarist Rupert Boyd with American cellist Laura Metcalf perform songs of love and despair.
SPARK Ipswich is delivered through the support of the following partners:
Foundation Partner: Ipswich City Council; Major Partners: Ripley Town Centre, Orion Springfield Central, Stockland Providence and The Queensland Government; Support Partners: Brick Lane Brewing, Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre (BEMAC), and Quest Springfield Central; Media Partners: Bishopp, Scenestr, 4ZZZ and QMusic; Programming Partners: Ipswich Libraries, first5forever, Ipswich Art Gallery, Studio 188, Ipswich Civic Centre, Ipswich Waste Services, Ipswich Catholic Community, Ipswich City Orchestras, Circa 160, Goleby’s Basement and Hotel Metropole.