OM Fest, the Capricorn Coast’s annual celebration of original music, is back for 2019 on September 14.

Inspired by a singer-songwriter who couldn’t get gigs for his originals in a music scene dominated by covers of familiar standards, OM Fest has been growing ever since in Yeppoon’s lush Waru Gardens.

Find out how it all began:

Om stands for Original Music

Nominations are open now for performers who’d like to be part of this year’s OM Fest. There are no strict guidelines or rules about who can perform, just that your music needs to be original. To find out more or throw your hat into the ring, visit OM Fest on Facebook.

More music news

Dec 30, 2023

New music: Zac Cross Band

Dec 30, 2023

Blurring the line between CQ country troubadours and Rockhampton rock n’ roll renegades, Zac Cross Band have a lush new single Too Far Gone ready for your ears.

Dec 30, 2023

Nov 21, 2023

New music: Will Blume

Nov 21, 2023

CQ singer-songwriter Will Blume has a lush new tune out. He says Porcelain is “dedicated to all the survivors, fighters and children at heart.”

Nov 21, 2023

Aug 30, 2020

PIlbeam Theatre back in action with COVID-safe Sunday Sessions

Aug 30, 2020

After four months of coronavirus-induced silence, music and laughs are coming back to the Pilbeam Theatre with a series of reduced-capacity Sunday Session variety shows featuring local comedy, theatre and music.

Aug 30, 2020

Aug 16, 2020

New music: Camille Trail, Little History

Aug 16, 2020

Camille Trail’s new single Little History is a light-hearted antidote to troubling times - a cheerful song about having a few drinks with your friends and forgetting, for a moment, about everything else.

Aug 16, 2020

Jul 3, 2020

Online choir connecting the Isaac Shire through song

Jul 3, 2020

Voices are gathering in the Isaac Shire, with sign ups open now for singers of all ages and abilities to create the region’s first computer-based choir.

Jul 3, 2020

Jun 27, 2020

New music: Innocent Eve

Jun 27, 2020

Innocent Eve have released their latest single Mixed Bag, a sultry celebration of humanity and diversity.

Jun 27, 2020

May 24, 2020

Cinematography, clowning & creative technology among the latest Gladstone RADF projects

May 24, 2020

Gladstone region artists are developing new media skills and interactive digital projects as part of the latest round of the Regional Arts Development Fund, as well as honing skills in songwriting, cinematography, and clowning.

May 24, 2020

Apr 25, 2020

New music: ANZAC tribute from Folks Like Us

Apr 25, 2020

Folks Like Us trio Brendan Smith, Sarah Rozekrans and Kathleen Campbell met at the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music. Their new release We Remember is inspired by the ANZAC spirit.

Apr 25, 2020

Apr 13, 2020

New music: Brittany-Elise

Apr 13, 2020

Last Words is from country artist Brittany-Elise’s debut album, Something More.

Apr 13, 2020

Mar 4, 2020

Wilma La sharing the love through album recording crowdfunding campaign

Mar 4, 2020

Yeppoon singer-songwriter Wilma La is raising environmental awareness, and love for creativity, circus arts and yoga - as well as funds for her upcoming album - through her newly-launched crowdfunding campaign.

Mar 4, 2020

Feb 29, 2020

New music: Camille Trail

Feb 29, 2020

Camille Trail has had a busy start to 2020 with a run of shows at Tamworth, a debut album, and now her brand new single Devil’s Drink.

Feb 29, 2020

New music: Denvah

Feb 29, 2020

19 year old singer-songwriter Denvah has released the debut single from her upcoming EP.

Feb 29, 2020

Feb 8, 2020

Rising Gladstone country songstress to release debut single

Feb 8, 2020

It’s shaping up to be an incredible year in music for 18 year old Gladstone singer songwriter Jacinta Bradley, fresh back from a Brisbane mentoring experience with gigs lined up and a debut single on its way.

Feb 8, 2020

New music: Hayley Marsten

Feb 8, 2020

Hayley Marsten has released her latest single, the title track from her album Spectacular Heartbreak.

Feb 8, 2020

Jan 28, 2020

New music: LightViolet

Jan 28, 2020

Continuing our crawl around new local music, here’s some fresh sounds from LightViolet: Have You Ever Been Burnt Before? Because I Have.

Jan 28, 2020

New music: Insomber

Jan 28, 2020

Check out When These Lights Go Out, from CQ indie rockers Insomber.

Jan 28, 2020

Jan 25, 2020

New music: Ava Kaydo

Jan 25, 2020

A mellow debut original from Capricorn Coast indie band Ava Kaydo.

Jan 25, 2020

Dec 30, 2019

Rhonda Janes reflects on a musical life

Dec 30, 2019

Rhonda Janes has been singing as long as she can remember, and from early gigs in her brother’s band she’s built a career in music and theatre.

Dec 30, 2019

Dec 19, 2019

Busby Marou, Hayley Marsten nominated for 2020 Golden Guitars

Dec 19, 2019

Rocky’s Busby Marou and Gladstone-raised Hayley Marsten are both nominated for awards in this year’s Golden Guitars.

Dec 19, 2019

Nov 17, 2019

Kissing the Flint videos celebrate music & bushfire recovery

Nov 17, 2019

Deepwater-based band Kissing the Flint - Leah and Ken Chynoweth-Tidy - teamed up with Gladstone region filmographer Wezley Pitts and photographer William Debois to create two music videos that not only showcase the duo’s original music, but promote positivity and resilience as the region recovers from major bushfires in 2018.

Nov 17, 2019

Sep 1, 2019

Kissing The Flint premiere music video project

Sep 1, 2019

Deepwater musical duo Kissing The Flint have produced two videos for songs on their debut EP Unconditionality, and will be sharing them for the first time at Crow Street Creative on Friday, September 13.

Sep 1, 2019

Jul 30, 2019

Drums & documentaries in Central Highlands latest arts funding round

Jul 30, 2019

The Central Highlands Regional Council finished off the financial year with funding for four local projects through the Regional Arts Development Fund.

Jul 30, 2019

Jul 28, 2019

Singer-songwriter Chenai Boucher on performing, writing, and carving out life

Jul 28, 2019

Comedian Thomas Sayers and singer-songwriter Chenai Boucher talk about music, inspiration, writing and childhood musical influences. Listen to their full half-hour conversation for more - including Chenai’s very surprising pick for which artist, alive or dead, she’d like to collaborate with!

Jul 28, 2019

Jun 23, 2019

New music: Kate Mahood

Jun 23, 2019

Capricorn Coast singer-songwriter Kate Mahood has released a new song inspired by the black-throated finch, a native bird whose last remaining habitat is under threat from Adani’s controversial Carmichael coal mine.

Jun 23, 2019

May 21, 2019

Kissing The Flint releases carbon-negative debut EP

May 21, 2019

It’s been a challenging year for Deepwater husband-and-wife duo Kissing The Flint, but they’ve risen from the ashes to release a carbon-negative debut EP and start work on music videos showcasing the local area.

May 21, 2019

Apr 24, 2019

New music: ViperSnatch

Apr 24, 2019

ViperSnatch, a Rocky band with elements of grunge, punk and alt-rock who often comment on social issues through their music, have released their first single.

Apr 24, 2019

New music: Jack Viljoen

Apr 24, 2019

Jack Viljoen, a South African-born singer-songwriter now based in the Gladstone region, shares his love of Cash and other music legends in his new song As Cool as Johnny Cash.

Apr 24, 2019

Mar 31, 2019

New music: Craig Lamond

Mar 31, 2019

One on the Up is the title track from Bundaberg singer-songwriter Craig Lamond’s debut album.

Mar 31, 2019

Feb 21, 2019

OM Fest tuning up for 2019: looking back on CQ's all-original music festival

Feb 21, 2019

OM Fest, the Capricorn Coast’s annual celebration of original music, is back for 2019 on September 14. Find out how it all began with this short film from the early years.

Feb 21, 2019