Fortitude Valley is Brisbane’s music hub. As a record store owner, it’s why I’m here. Let’s take a quick look at how it has evolved.
Indigenous Music and Early Settlement
The Turrbal and Jagera-Yuggera peoples have lived in Fortitude Valley for over 20,000 years. They used music to connect with the land and tell stories. When European settlers arrived in the 1800s, they brought new musical traditions. By the mid-1800s, Fortitude Valley had become a bustling part of Brisbane’s city.
The Rise of Fortitude Valley
In the early 1900s, Fortitude Valley grew into a busy shopping district. Big department stores like McWhirters and smaller shops like Mastertone sold records and gramophones. These shops made the Valley a key place for Brisbane’s first record collectors. McWhirters later became Myer. Today, you can still find price tags from Myer’s on many secondhand records.
The 1970s and 1980s: Brisbane Finds Its Sound
In the 1970s and 1980s, Brisbane began to change. Economic troubles and political unrest sparked a wave of punk culture. The Saints led the charge. Indie bands like The Go-Betweens followed. These groups played in smaller venues to avoid police harassment. The conservative climate of the time made it tough to play in bigger places.
The 1990s Music Boom
The 1990s marked a big change. In 1988, 4ZZZ, Brisbane’s alternative radio station, was forced to leave the University of Queensland. But in 1994, it reopened in Fortitude Valley. This gave local bands a much-needed sense of community.
With affordable rents, more artists moved to the area. Inspired by the global recognition of The Go-Betweens and The Saints many began making and performing their own original music. Old buildings, like the former Target store, became rehearsal spaces. Bands like Powderfinger and Regurgitator used them. In 1989, The Tivoli opened as a concert venue with an impressive 1,500-person capacity. Smaller venues like The Zoo (1992) and Ric’s Bar (1993) followed. These artists and venues helped shape Brisbane’s developing music scene.
Music Institutions and the Valley Today
Fortitude Valley’s reputation as a music hub is now stronger than ever. The Music Industry College opened in 2010 to train future musicians. QMusic, founded in the 2000s, supports the local scene and hosts BIGSOUND, Australia’s top music conference. In 2019, the Fortitude Music Hall opened. With a 3,000-person capacity, it’s the Valley’s largest venue to date.
The Valley’s Lanes precincts opened in the 2010s. California Lane, Winn Lane, and Bakery Lane now host many music events. Winn Lane even held one of the first events of the now-international Laneway Festival. Annual events such as The Brisbane Festival and The Valley Fiesta also draw large crowds to The Valley.
The Changing Scene
Fortitude Valley’s music scene has faced challenges. Venues like The Zoo and record stores like Butter Beats, Phase Four, and Foundry Records have recently closed. But spaces like Glitter Records and Catalog Music are keeping vinyl culture alive. And new venues like Greaser, The Crowbar, Tomcat, and The Brightside continue to champion live music in The Valley.
Final Thoughts on Music in Fortitude Valley
From its Indigenous origins to its vibrant music scene today, Fortitude Valley is a cornerstone of Brisbane’s culture. It’s a place where music is created, experienced, and passed on. Locals and visitors alike have been shaped by the atmosphere here. As a record store owner, I’m constantly discovering new facts about The Valley’s story and musical evolution. This is why I believe it’s important for Glitter Records to play a part in preserving and sharing its story.
