A new music festival is coming to the Gold Coast in 2027.
Maoli, Stan Walker, Katchafire and Grammy-winning US group Arrested Development are among the acts confirmed for the inaugural Sound Collective, a one-day festival bringing together artists from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, and the US, across reggae, soul, R&B, and hip hop. SOJA, A.R.T., Bradamon Band and rising Western Sydney singer Riah also set to perform.
The festival will take over Broadwater Parklands on Saturday, February 20th.
Tickets will go onsale at 9am on Friday, September 18th following a presale from 9am on Thursday, September 17th. All times are AEST. Sign up for presale here.
“I just love this genre and its audience. It has a cruisey simplicity to it that almost puts a calming spell over the crowd. The crossover of music attracts such a diverse range of cultures which is how it got its name: Sound Collective,” promoter Scott Mesiti said.
Maoli returns to Australia following a run of success that has seen his catalogue surpass one billion global streams. Blending island reggae with country and soul, the singer recently completed his MMO album trilogy with MMO3.
“I’m so excited to come back down and bring everyone an amazing show. Australia has become like a second home,” Maoli said.
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Walker will also return to the Gold Coast with new music and his full band, two years after his last festival appearance in the city. The Aotearoa singer has remained active across music and screen throughout 2026, including contributing to Moana: Voices Across The Ocean.
“It’s been two years since I last played a Gold Coast festival, so trust me – I am pumped to be back! I’m rolling in with brand-new music and my full band, and I’m genuinely stoked to share the stage with Maoli and the rest of this incredible lineup… this one is going to be very special,” he said.
Katchafire, meanwhile, bring more than two decades of roots reggae to the bill. The Māori group have built an international following since their 2002 debut, touring extensively across Australia, the Pacific, Europe and North America.
Arrested Development will return to Australia after touring locally in 2025. The influential group became the first hip hop act to win the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1993, while also taking home Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group that year.
US reggae outfit SOJA are also on the lineup. Formed in Virginia in 1997, the Grammy-nominated group have spent more than two decades blending roots reggae with dub, dancehall and rock, most recently releasing Without Surrender.
Rounding out the first announcement are Aotearoa R&B trio A.R.T., Gold Coast nine-piece Bradamon Band and Riah, who won triple j Unearthed High’s Indigenous Initiative in 2024 before being selected by The Kid LAROI to perform at his SXSW Sydney showcase.
Sound Collective will also select a local artist to open the festival through an upcoming competition, with further details to be announced.
“What a coup, securing the best soul festival for the coast with an incredible line-up of artists and performances,’’ Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said. “The event is billed as a ‘one-day reggae and Polynesian cultural festival’ and I know it will attract the best artists from Australia and Aotearoa to the big stage at Broadwater Parklands.
“Diversifying our events calendar is key to attracting great events to the city and the Sound Collective fits the bill perfectly. Make a date with the Gold Coast in February and bring the family for 10 hours of soul, great food, performances and fun.’’
For complete festival and ticket information, see here.
SOUND COLLECTIVE 2027
Saturday, February 20th
Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast QLD
Lineup:
Maoli
Stan Walker
Katchafire
Arrested Development
SOJA
A.R.T
Bradamon Band
Riah
+ local competition winner
