If there is one thing that has fascinated songwriters for centuries, it’s the darker side of life.

Ever since artists started penning their own tunes, dark tales of death, crime and retribution have provided some of music’s most powerful, painful and passionate moments.

From those early folk balladeers to Johnny Cash and Nick Cave, we just can’t get enough of these eerily intoxicating tales, better known as ‘murder ballads’.

And that deliciously dark tradition will be celebrated once again this April when some of Brisbane’s finest artists come together over two very special nights for Murder Ballads Chapter Two.

Each act will perform a selection of their favourite murder ballads from past and present, alongside their own original songs inspired by the dark side.

Murder Ballads is custom-made for lovers of the dark side in all of us.

Friday 23 April:
Pre-show entertainment in the Shopfront: Kristy Appps.
Crime and Retribution hosted by Bertie Page: featuring Texas Tea, Silver Circus, Kristy Apps, The Black Water Fever, The Good Ship.

Saturday 24 April:
Pre-show entertainment in the Shopfront: Ghostboy with Skye Virtue.
Crime and Retribution hosted by John Thompson: featuring Lucy Star Satellite, Danny Widdicombe plus guests, Ghostboy with Skye Virtue, Roz Pappalardo and the Wayward Gentlemen and Halfway.

Recommended for ages 15+ (mature themes)