The Jukebox: the best new local tunes to add to your playlist this month
This month, we’re doing the Jukebox a little differently. In honour of Open Season’s winter music program returning for its sixth edition (which will see more than 100 artists take over ten venues across the city) this month’s Jukebox will highlight some of the top Australian acts joining the program’s 2026 lineup and where to find them.
‘Stay’ by Mulga Bore Hard Rock
They rock, they roll, they play it loud. If you haven’t heard of Mulga Bore Hard Rock yet, that’s about to change. The six-piece band of brothers and cousins (aged 16-21) formed at school, inspired by the work of Guns N’ Roses, Status Quo and KISS – who they opened for on tour in 2022 – to create its own style of hard rock, sung in English and the Anmatyerre language.
Now – hot off the release of breakout EP Big Train – the team of Northern Territory locals touch down in Brisbane for one of its signature glam hard-rock gigs at QPAC’s Melbourne Street Green on Friday May 29.
One of the EP’s biggest tracks is ‘Stay’, an electric, riff-heavy rock anthem that sees the band seamlessly blend classic elements of glam rock with Australian desert sounds.
Mulga Bore Hard Rock will performing a free show for Open Season – just register your interest here to attend.
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‘Mad Man’ by Rum Jungle
Newcastle’s indie four-piece Rum Jungle inherited its name from vocalist Benny’s dad’s 1970s outfit – an apt name for the group’s particular blend of alt-rock and surf-punk. Taking to The Princess Theatre stage on Friday June 19, the band will be celebrating its second album, Marginalia, which drops on Friday June 5. Until then, we recommend getting acquainted with the band’s older stuff, particularly ‘Mad Man’ from 2025 album Recency Bias.
Leaning hard into the band’s gritty rock and fun anthemic sound, ‘Mad Man’ feels like the musical personification of getting up to no good with your mates. Best listened to while road tripping to the coast with your besties, ‘Mad Man’ is a great place to start if you’re new to the jungle.
Find tickets to the band’s Open Season gig here.
‘Heaven’ by Alison Wonderland
Electronic music’s favourite boundary-pushing DJ Alison Wonderland is ditching the festival fields for a rare intimate performance, giving Brisbane the opportunity to witness the festival headliner up-close. Celebrating the release of her latest album GHOST WORLD, Alison Wonderland is taking her tour to The Tivoli this Open Season, with support from Katayanagi Twins and Prophecy Girl on Thursday June 4.
One of GHOST WORLD’s highlight tracks, ‘Heaven’, sees the Sydney-born electronic visionary team up with Australia’s favourite new breakout DJ Ninajirachi for a bold and dynamic collaboration. The result is a high-energy anthem featuring the perfect combination of finely balanced melodies and explosive chaos.
For your chance to see the powerhouse in action, find tickets here.
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‘Smiling’ by The Belair Lip Bombs
This close-knit indie-rock four-piece has been steadily building its fanbase since the band formed eight years ago. Now, The Belair Lip Bombs is getting the global attention it deserves since dropping its second album Again last year. Standout track ‘Smiling’ captures the Melbourne band’s earnestness and ultra-catchy power-pop song structures that have earned it an army of loyal fans.
The band will be playing Against the Grain Festival on Saturday June 20 at Open Season this year, joined by Stereolab, Pond, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Protomartyr, Hatchie and much more. This iteration of Against the Grain marks the festival’s ten-year anniversary and will take place on Clarence Corner in Woolloongabba, activating The Princess Theatre, Brisbane Brewing Co, Echo & Bounce, Season Three, Woolloongabba Art Gallery, C’est Bon and an outdoor carpark stage for more than 30 performances in a never been used before precinct. To witness the return of Brisbane’s iconic music festival, grab tickets here.
‘A Million Times’ by Beddy Rays
The members of Beddy Rays have been making music together since their days on the primary school oval in Redland Bay – now the surf-rock four-piece has two albums under its belt, along with a spot on Open Season’s First Nations lineup Blak Day Out.
On Friday July 24 at The Princess Theatre, Beddy Rays will be joined by Dan Sultan, Becca Hatch, Jem Cassar-Daley and Rox Lavi as Blak Day Out returns for its fifth year.
If you get a chance to visit the festival, make sure to keep an ear out for ‘A Million Times’ from the 2025 album Do What Ya Wanna which earned the band a number one album on the ARIA charts and a sold out London show. The track brings together everything the band has built its name on – heartfelt lyrics, huge hooks, mosh-worthy riffs and the tangible feeling of larrikinism that binds the boys together.
Tickets to Blak Day Out can be found here.
Head over to the Open Season website to check out the full program.
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