The Brightside is a lively venue located on Warner Street in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley.  As you enter, you’re greeted with what looks like a courtyard with tables and chairs for people to sit.  There’s also a food truck on site for that all-important pre-show feed.  Heading down a corridor you’ll find more tables and chairs, as well as the entrance to the outdoor stage area.  If you go up the stairs to the left, you’ll enter the indoor performance space.  Yes, this venue has TWO stages for bands to strut their stuff for the adoring public! The Brightside really comes alive during major events such as BIGSOUND, where both stages receive a thorough workout all throughout the week!  The venue can also handle smaller and more intimate events on the indoor stage, which proved to be perfect for the three bands on the lineup this evening.

The first act to grace the stage was fjordie, fresh off the release of her second single “Every Face Is Yours.”  This number was performed with gusto with her four bandmates, and as it turned out it was actually “Part 2” of the song’s narrative.  A special deluxe edition of “Every Face Is Yours” will be released later in March, so that will be one to look forward to.  The instruments in fjordie’s band included two electric guitars, bass and drums.  An acoustic guitar was played by fjordie herself, and she naturally took on lead vocal duties.  At least three members of her band are known from Brisbane's open mic circuit, with them being Brodie (electric guitar), Dario (bass) and of course fjordie.  She opened the evening with her debut single “Paper Planes” and threw in a cover or two during their time on stage.  Dario also plays bass in Siena Larsson’s band who performed at the Reverie Room event at Black Bear Lodge the following night, so he ended up pulling double duty!

The Ra Ta Tas were second to perform this evening at The Brightside, and they are a four-piece indie rock outfit.  The whole night had a real indie rock feel to it, in fact.  The Ra Ta Tas consists of Cleo on one electric guitar and lead vocal, Shannon on another electric guitar, Ella on bass and Willow on drums.  Willow was a recent addition to the group, having joined in the second half of 2025 after previous drummer Kyla had moved on.  Willow more than held her own behind the kit though, as the band sang about everything from Bunnings to grocery shopping and back again!  They even played a few songs by a band named Wet Leg and have done an entire show consisting of songs by that group!  This was their second performance for 2026, and it’s fair to say that “The Rats Are Back.”

Emmara was the headline act, and she brought with her a drummer and bassist.  She strummed an electric guitar and provided soulful vocals.  She has such a powerful voice and can reach those high notes with relative ease.  Her songwriting comes straight from the heart, which was definitely evident in her vocal delivery!  As well as her heartfelt originals, she threw in a few covers by Michael Jackson and Fleetwood Mac for good measure.  The King of Pop is one of her biggest musical influences, and there is no doubt about that whatsoever!  One of her songs played during her set was called “Help Me Forget”, and one aspect that stands out about it is the power and emotion of her voice.  A music video for this song will be released on the 18th of April, so keep an eye out for that.  This was a fantastic evening of live music entertainment, and a welcome return to small and intimate gigs at The Brightside!

Words and Image by Alan Atkinson