Discover music posters and handbills from State Library’s collections. Explore their do-it-yourself design and recall the bands and venues of Brisbane’s independent music scene of the 1970s and 80s. Themes A sign of the times As punk rock swept across Australia in the late 1970s, Brisbane became home to a small but strong independent music scene. Along with a DIY attitude towards music-making, came a similar approach to music promotion. The 279 Club music poster Lamingtons Behind Bars music poster Rocking the suburbs Posters and handbills reflected the resourcefulness and determination of its creators to support local line-ups through years of instability, venue shortage and split audiences. DIY meets technology Technology advancement during the 1980s led to new production methods and greater design possibilities. Fast forward to the present day, DIY culture has made a comeback through compositions and performances that can easily be created, recorded, mixed, published and distributed independently. Mute 44 music poster Stories Collections Skip slider Temporary Ornaments plus other things at Romeos Birds of Tin, 1981 Out of nowhere, 1981 Scrap Metal, ca.1980 The Black Assassins: Beggin' the bullet, 1982 Ratsack Benefit Dance, 1982 Warning x.x.x., 1981 The Great West End Brain Robbery, 1979 XTC, 1979 Poster collage Explorer Explore posters promoting the gigs, bands and venues of Brisbane's underground music scene 1977-1987. Add your memories and stories. Visit explorer Brisbane gigs Dive into our collection of photos from Brisbane gigs throughout the1970s and 1980s. Were you there? Do you know the bands, people and places in the photographs? View in explorer Brisbane punk band photographs Photographs and ephemera of performances by Brisbane punk bands, including the Black Assassins, Flêche and La Fetts. View in catalogue John Willsteed music poster archive Uncover our collection of original music posters from around the state, collated by local artist and musician John Willsteed. View in catalogue 4ZZZ Market Day photographs Explore photographs taken of the fun and live acts at the first 4ZZZ Market Day in 1982. View in catalogue Paul O’Brien Collection Discover photographs of bands and fans in the Brisbane punk scene from the late 1970s to the early 1980s. View in catalogue The Humans and The Convertibles Clippings and photographs of Brisbane new wave band The Humans and rockabilly band The Convertibles. View in catalogue From the blog Brisbane Radio Station 4ZZZ — 40th anniversary State Library is active in acquiring and preserving published and unpublished materials documenting Queensland's music history — 4ZZZ is of course no exception.... Read more (I'm) Stranded by The Saints rarity 2016 marks the 40th anniversary of a limited release single, by a then unknown Brisbane band, which... Read more A night at Festival Hall with the Ramones (1980) On July 18, 1980 US punk rock band the Ramones performed at Festival Hall as part of their tour of Australia... Read more All exhibitions Library Shop Cassette enamel pin Shop now Tote bag Shop now T-shirt Shop now Shop all You may also like Twenty An online photography exhibition reflecting on the last 20 years in Queensland. Explore exhibition Home Explore the social and emotional foundations of our houses through the incredible legacy of Frank and Eunice Corley. Explore exhibition Big Voices Take a journey into young artist's worlds, to see how they view themselves, their lives, their rights and their futures. Explore exhibition All exhibitions Poster collage Cut Copy Visit State Library today and remember the music, the locations, the attitude and the style through posters and handbills. Book now