Brisbane came out in full force on Sunday afternoon as Missy Higgins put a brilliant exclamation mark on the 2026 Night At The Parklands series. Roma Street Parklands transformed from a sun-drenched afternoon hangout into a moonlit sanctuary for thousands of eager fans.
Local talent set the bar early on. Hazel Mei lit up the afternoon rays with sunny indie-pop energy, teasing unreleased album cuts, and getting the crowd moving with some intentionally dorky dance moves. Hot on her heels was Brisbane’s own Jem Cassar-Daley, fresh off a multi-state headline tour. Delivering a stripped-back set, she serenaded her hometown with acoustic beauties like “Into Sunsets” and “Kiss Me Like You’re Leaving.”
When Missy Higgins casually strolled out with a ukulele in hand, the energy shifted into pure magic. She kicked things off with “Song for Sammy”, a track birthed from a middle-of-the-night lullaby,setting the stage for a night packed with rich storytelling, wicked humor, and effortless multi-instrumental swaps. Sliding between guitar, ukulele, and piano, Higgins treated the crowd to a masterclass in catharsis.
Nostalgic powerhouses like “Ten Days,” “The Special Two,” and a rare live performance of Tim Finn’s “Stuff and Nonsense” brought down the house, backed by the electrifying energy of her live band. She also leaned heavily into raw, vulnerable cuts from her latest album The Second Act, touching on life, heartbreaks, and lessons learned with total grace. From laughing off her river scooter rides through Brisbane to an adorable surprise stage crash from her daughter after “A Complicated Truth,” every single moment felt intimate and grounded.
By the time she launched into a massive, crowd-wide choir singalong of “Scar” and capped the night with the triumphant chords of “Steer,” the entire Parkland was on its feet.
An incredible lineup, unmatchable outdoor vibes, and a legendary performance that’s going to echo in Brisbane’s memory for a long time. Night At The Parklands 2027 can’t come soon enough!
