Entertainment
6 September, 2026
Music to pick up suburbia
ANOTHER Stratford Sounds event will wake up the sleepy suburban streets on 12 September and this time it’s a community-owned event.
Cairns Regional Council formally handed over the running of the event at its last meeting and provided a community partnerships grant of $12,000 to Stratford Bowling Club to support the day of live music.
“Stratford Sounds is a great example of what can happen when council helps get something off the ground and then hands it over to the community to own,” Cr Kristy Valelly said.
“I was at Stratford Sounds along with half of Cairns last year and you could really see what it was trying to become. It wasn’t just going to be one event,” she said.
“Stratford Village really came alive. People walking between venues, stopping for something to eat, listening to local musicians, having a drink and spending money with local businesses.
“And that’s what I really loved about this event. It’s local, it’s grassroots and it’s being driven by people who actually live and work in our community.
“We’re expecting more than 2000 people this year. I think it’ll be more than that.”
“We talk about supporting local businesses and supporting our creative industries, but sometimes that support – it’s actually pretty simple.
“Give people a space, give them a hand getting it started and let them take ownership of it.
“I think Stratford Sounds has the potential to become one of the events that people just put in their calendar every year.”
The free community music festival held its inaugural event in July last year, running from 9.30am until late into the evening. The event featured local music a cross nine diverse venues such as cafes, clubs, and even a barber shop.
This year’s event, delivered by WHYNOT Presents and auspiced by Stratford Bowling Club, will transform the precinct into a walkable live music destination showcasing local musicians, food, hospitality and entertainment experiences.
With 30-plus artists performing across seven throughout the day, there will be something for everyone – families, friends and music followers.
A community raffle will also be held with proceeds going towards supporting the free event and local live music.
For more information see the Stratford Sounds Facebook page.
