Queensland Music Festival

What Queensland Music Festival does

Queensland Music Festival (QMF) is a not-for-profit music and cultural tourism agency founded in 1999 and headquartered in South Brisbane, Australia. Operating as an initiative of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, QMF delivers Queensland Music Trails as its flagship program, a portfolio of up to six annually rotating themed trails (Outback, Reef, Tropics, Scenic Rim, plus additional regional variants) that stage concerts, festivals, and community-led performances in geographically diverse Queensland locations spanning 25 Indigenous Countries and over 105 distinct locations since inception. The portfolio encompasses signature sub-brands including Dream Aloud Festival (Gimuy/Cairns, launched 2024), Sweet Relief! (Brisbane), Between The Tides (Cape Hillsborough), The Long Sunset (Scenic Rim), Northern Sound (Townsville), Outback Sounds (Charleville), Magnetic Island Live, the Yarrabah Music & Cultural Festival, and The Mount Isa Blast, alongside intergenerational and accessibility programs such as the Cherbourg Generations Program and Charleville Dance House collaboration.

The core operating model is community co-creation rather than top-down event production. QMF works with Traditional Owners, Elders, artists, health services, schools, local venues, and industry partners to design programs that meet community-identified needs, embedding 20+ Auslan interpreters across stages 2023-2025 and partnering with Spinal Life Australia and Indigenous-owned MobTix for accessible and culturally safe ticketing. Technology is intentionally light: the organization relies on third-party ticketing platforms (Moshtix and MobTix), standard web analytics (Google Analytics), and Google Ads Remarketing, with no proprietary platform. In 2024, 51% of programmed artists were First Nations, with $670,000+ contracted to First Nations artists, arts workers, and suppliers, and $200,000+ awarded to 52 First Nations-owned businesses.

Revenue is diversified across ticket sales (general admission typically A$20), individual donations, corporate sponsorships and in-kind partnerships (e.g., QUT, Black Star Radio, QTIC), and government grants from the Queensland Government via Arts Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland. QMF is governed by an independent Board chaired by Daniel Gschwind with Deputy Chair Alison Mobbs, led by CEO Daryl Raven and five General Managers across Communities & Impact, Creative & Programming, Production & Delivery, Marketing & Brand, and Finance & Business Intelligence, and is advised by an Indigenous Australian Advisory Committee chaired by Angela Barney-Leitch. The organization has earned international recognition including the 2024 Music Cities Awards Best Music Tourism Initiative for the Between the Tides project and a 2024 Queensland Tourism Awards Silver in Cultural Tourism, with a back-to-back 2025 Music Cities Awards nomination.

Name

Queensland Music Festival

Legal name

Queensland Music Festival Pty Ltd

Website

https://qmf.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Queensland Music Festival is a not-for-profit music and cultural tourism agency, an initiative of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, that delivers up to six themed music trails annually across Queensland, including the Outback, Reef, Tropics, and Scenic Rim trails, serving First Nations communities, regional Queensland populations, and cultural tourism visitors through community co-created events and signature sub-brands like Dream Aloud and Between The Tides.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Festival & Cultural Tourism Events

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (711320), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural Heritage & Traditional Festivals (Folk, Ethnic, Indigenous) (MPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Music & Dance Festivals (Non-Commercial/Local) (MPAGAEAH), Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations (BPAGAHAG), Cultural & Community Festivals (Ticketed) (THAJAFAI)

Keywords

• Music festival events
• Cultural tourism programs
• Live music productions
• Community arts programs
• Music trail experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Brisbane

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: QMF accepts donations from individuals to support their mission of bringing music to regional and remote areas, amplifying First Nations voices, and creating social and cultural impact. As a not-for-profit, donations are a key revenue stream.
2. Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from ticket sales to QMF and Queensland Music Trails events. Tickets are sold in person, over the phone, or online through third-party ticketing agencies like Moshtix.
3. Government Grants and Corporate Sponsorship: QMF receives funding from government bodies including the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, as well as corporate sponsors and philanthropic partners. This supports delivery of programs and events.
4. Partnership Investment: Corporate partners like QUT redirect investment to support specific programs like Dream Aloud, providing both financial and in-kind support for event delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

QMF curates and produces large-scale music festivals and cultural tourism experiences across Queensland through its flagship Queensland Music Trails program, featuring themed trails (Outback Trail, Reef Trail, Tropics Trail, Scenic Rim Trail) with signature events such as Dream Aloud Festival, Sweet Relief!, Between The Tides, The Long Sunset, Northern Sound, Outback Sounds, and Yarrabah Music & Cultural Festival. The organization combines ticketed consumer events with free community programming, First Nations co-creation, accessibility features (Auslan interpretation, MobTix), and partnerships with local councils and Traditional Owners to deliver events in unique Queensland locations.

Product overview

Queensland Music Festival (QMF) is a not-for-profit music and cultural tourism agency offering Queensland Music Trails as its flagship program—a first-of-its-kind music tourism initiative that curates world-class music and arts experiences in breathtaking Queensland locations. The core offering consists of multiple themed trails (The Outback Trail, The Reef Trail, Tropics Trail, Scenic Rim) featuring signature events including Dream Aloud Festival, Sweet Relief!, Between The Tides, The Long Sunset, Northern Sound, Magnetic Island Live, Outback Sounds, Ballads & Bush Yarns, The Gully Sessions, Lunch with the Locals, and Reef Sundowner. Supporting initiatives include the Yarrabah Music & Cultural Festival, The Mount Isa Blast, Cherbourg Generations Program, and the Healthy Ageing & Charleville Dance House collaboration. QMF also embeds accessibility features including MobTix ticketing, Auslan interpretation, ConcertCare wellbeing support, and partnerships with Spinal Life Australia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Queensland Music Trails
• Dream Aloud Festival
• Between The Tides
• Sweet Relief!
• The Long Sunset
• Northern Sound
• Magnetic Island Live
• Outback Sounds
• Ballads & Bush Yarns
• The Gully Sessions
• Lunch with the Locals
• Reef Sundowner
• Yarrabah Music & Cultural Festival
• The Mount Isa Blast
• Cherbourg Generations Program
• Healthy Ageing & Charleville Dance House

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million people reached across 105+ Queensland locations
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core, flagship and minor.

• Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025QMF announced partnership with QYAC to support the 2025 Quandamooka Festival on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), celebrating culture, connection, and Country.
• Arts Queensland (Queensland Government)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQMF is an initiative of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. This provides core government backing and funding support for the organization's mission and programs.
• Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQMF maintains membership with QTIC, aligning with the organization's mission to support and promote Queensland's vibrant tourism sector. QMF works with QTIC on industry advocacy and tourism development.
• Queensland University of Technology (QUT)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding corporate partner with history of supporting Yarrabah Music and Cultural Festival. In 2025, redirected investment to support Dream Aloud, providing complimentary bus services and 200+ free tickets for Yarrabah residents. Strong commitment to First Nations cultural expression and community impact.
• Black Star RadiomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNetwork of 17 Indigenous community radio stations across Queensland. QMF partnered to promote Dream Aloud, providing First Nations announcers from remote communities with interview skills workshops and exclusive artist interviews broadcast across Far North Queensland.
• Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire CouncilflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric partnership delivering Yarrabah Music & Cultural Festival since 2013. QMF supported transition of the festival to First Nations-led and First Nations-delivered ownership through Council, marking a milestone in Indigenous cultural self-determination.
• Tourism and Events QueenslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body supporting QMF's strategic planning and transition of Yarrabah festival ownership. Part of TEQ strategic plan enumerating expectations and accountabilities for sustainable event delivery.
• Charleville Dance HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-controlled, not-for-profit dance school providing high-quality dance education. Partner with QMF for intergenerational, all-abilities performances at Outback Sounds, bringing together young students and seniors.
• Healthy Ageing Charleville & DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth-West Hospital & Health Service initiative providing opportunities for local seniors to socialize and remain active. Partners with QMF for intergenerational performances combining seniors with young dancers.
• Spinal Life AustraliamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Sweet Relief 2023 and 2024 to design and deliver physically accessible experiences including dedicated viewing platforms for guests with mobility requirements. Spinal Life consulted on accessible infrastructure and amenities.
• MobtixmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndigenous-owned ticketing platform providing culturally safe and accessible ticketing options for First Nations peoples. QMF's MobTix initiative offers complimentary or discounted tickets to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Māori, Pasifika, and Global First Nations friends.
• Djarragun CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting visual art capacity-building at Dream Aloud. In 2024, featured artwork by Yidinji student Gwen Thomas, offering a platform for young regional artists to be recognized in a high-profile setting.
• QMusicmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry body partnering with QMF on Futures Summit - an industry-led symposium designed to build skills, knowledge, and networks for First Nations artists and arts workers in Far North Queensland.
• Tanks Art CentremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural venue partner for Dream Aloud 2025 program, collaborating on Blak Rising showcase and Futures Summit to build skills and professional development for First Nations artists.
• Bumma Bippera MediamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndigenous-owned media partner for Dream Aloud festival, amplifying First Nations voices and stories through media coverage and promotion.
• Blak Out on triple jmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with triple j's Blak Out program to broadcast and promote First Nations music and artists through national radio coverage.
• Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization providing marketing, technical, and administrative support to Black Star Radio stations. QMF leverages this network to reach First Nations communities across remote Queensland.
• Yarrabah Arts and Cultural PrecinctmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal arts precinct showcasing Yarrabah's cultural expression at Dream Aloud through pop-up gallery featuring pottery, paintings, textiles, and locally crafted clothing.
• Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) First Nations ProgrammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership delivering professional artist workshops with Yarrabah's young people to build creative and professional skills, social and emotional capacity, and performance confidence.
• Cherbourg Radio StationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity radio station in Cherbourg. QMF worked with Station Manager Chrissy to deliver hands-on training sessions with new editing software and professional videography workshops for staff.
• Everybody NOW!minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization involved in community collaboration supporting intergenerational connection and community engagement in the Charleville Dance House and Healthy Ageing program.
• Shine On GimuymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival in Gimuy/Cairns. Dream Aloud was co-curated with Shine On Gimuy Artistic Director Rhonda Roberts AO, part of the broader Shine On Gimuy Festival programming.
• APRA AMCOScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic rights organization. QMF Indigenous Australians Advisory Committee member Naomi Andrew serves as Creative Programs Lead at APRA AMCOS, supporting music creator programs and industry pathways.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Melbourne International Arts Festival (Melbourne Festival): Australia's largest international arts festival presenting performing arts, music, and visual arts in Melbourne. Directly comparable to QMF as a large-scale, multi-venue Australian cultural festival with a curated music and arts program and government-corporate funding mix.
• Woodford Folk Festival: Major annual folk and roots festival in southeast Queensland. Directly comparable to QMF as a Queensland-based multi-day music festival with community-led ethos, regional appeal, and overlap with QMF's target First Nations audiences and folk/roots programming.
• WOMADelaide: World music and dance festival held in Adelaide, with global artist programming and strong First Nations cultural elements. Closely comparable to QMF's focus on world-class music, cultural heritage, and Indigenous programming in outdoor boutique settings.
• Dark MOFO: Annual mid-winter festival in Hobart, Tasmania featuring music, art, food, and light installations. Comparable to QMF as a destination-driven, multi-venue festival with bold artistic vision and reliance on state government backing (Government of Tasmania).
• Sydney Festival: Major Australian multi-arts festival held annually in Sydney. Comparable to QMF as a state-scale, multi-venue cultural festival delivering performing arts programming across urban and regional locations, with similar reliance on government backing and corporate sponsorship.
• Darwin Festival: Annual multi-arts festival in Darwin, Northern Territory, with strong Indigenous programming. Highly comparable to QMF given its Top End location, tropical climate, and significant focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural programming.
• Big Red Bash: Australia's remotest music festival held in the Simpson Desert, outback Queensland. Comparable to QMF's Outback Music Trail for its remote-venue, outback music tourism positioning and adventure-music crossover audience.
• Perth Festival: Annual multi-arts festival in Western Australia delivering music, theatre, dance, and visual arts programming. Comparable to QMF as an Australian state-level festival with mixed free and ticketed events, government backing, and focus on cultural tourism.

Broad incumbents

• Adelaide Festival: One of Australia's oldest and most prestigious international arts festivals. Comparable to QMF as a long-running state-backed cultural festival with performing arts programming, but operates at a larger, more internationally focused scale than QMF.
• Bluesfest Byron Bay: Major multi-day music festival in northern NSW with a strong international artist lineup. Comparable to QMF as a major Australian music festival, though primarily commercial where QMF is non-profit, with similar audience of domestic music tourism travelers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/qldmusicfest
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/qldmusicfest
• Facebookfacebook.com/qldmusicfest
• Instagraminstagram.com/qldmusicfest

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Queensland Music Festival