Backbone Festival is an annual celebration of art, theatre, music, and more from Meanjin’s community of Young Artists. The 30-year-old tradition began as the 2high festival - a one-of-a-kind project that paired emerging talent with industry mentors to produce a festival. it has evolved, stretched and been flipped on it’s head as each generation of Young Artists transform it into something completely their own. Backbone Festival has seen performances in mid-air suspended from cranes, driving across Meanjin one-on-one, and dancing on the rooftops of some of the most beloved spaces in our city.

BACKBONE FESTIVAL THEN

FUSE

By Anabella Gregory. Image by Georgia Haupt

Backbone Festival 2025: Look Up Opening Night

Image by Georgia Haupt

Backbone Festival 2025: Look Up Opening Night

Image by Georgia Haupt

BIOS-INFERA

By Beetel Miyela, Amy Vowles and Piper Mae. Image by Georgia Haupt

Rate of Decay

By Xanthe Jones. Image by Georgia Haupt

Horse Play

By Nathaniel Crossinggum with Lunch Friend. Image by Georgia Haupt

Hot Girls Don't Poo

By The Sh*t Stirrers. Image by Georgia Haupt

Terms & Conditions Apply

By Play On Stage. Image by Georgia Haupt

Doppelklang

By Kerrod Box and Kelsey Dell. Image by Georgia Haupt

Make Me Bette Ma

By Jazz Zhao. Image by Georgia Haupt

Survival On A Strange Planet

By Darcie Rae Boatswain. Image by Georgia Haupt

Bee-Bee's Fantasies

By Evie Ford and Bee-Bee Riot. Image by Georgia Haupt

Katie is a Marker Sniffing Lesbian

By East & Under Co. Image by Georgia Haupt

THIS WORLD IS YOURS TOO: Opening Night

Image by Georgia Haupt.

Bahala-O

By Buddy Malbasias. Image by Georgia Haupt.

Ya'Djin Spirit Women

By The First Creatives. Image by Georgia Haupt.

Metamorphosis

By Haus of Coco. Image by Georgia Haupt.

HARPIES

By Eli Free. Image by Georgia Haupt.

Dax Savage: The Last Man On Earth

By Fake Blood. Image by Georgia Haupt.

Dearly Devoured

By Backbone Ensemble 2024. Image by Georgia Haupt.

Digi Youth Arts Takeover Day

Image by Georgia Haupt.

On Display Artist Talk

With Shani Finch and Ash Rasch. Image by Georgia Haupt.

What's in the Woods?

By Brymore Productions and Backbone Theatre for Babies. Image by Georgia Haupt.

Fresh Ink Play Readings

Image by Georgia Haupt.

Generation Me

By Dr. Melissa Herburg. Image by Georgia Haupt.

Pony Club

By Observatory Theatre. Image by Georgia Haupt.

Transcendent Acts

By Flaming Carnations. Image by Georgia Haupt.

WOman

By WOmen. Image by Georgia Haupt.

Waitlisted

By Collective Circus. Image by Jade Ellis.

//TRANSCRIPT//

By Tammy Brennan. Image by Jade Ellis.

Again, You Have Trusted Me

By Sarah Stafford. Image by Jade Ellis.

Live Painting at Candy Social Club

Presented by Backbone Youth Arts. Image by Jade Ellis.

Howling Jackals

By Micah Rustichelli. Image by Jade Ellis.

Candy Social Club

Presented by Backbone Youth Arts. Image by Jade Ellis.

Pierrot

By Martelle Simon-Green. Image by Jade Ellis.

What's For Dinner?

By Virag Dombay Productions. Image by Jade Ellis.

My Win is Yours

Film Screening and Q&A with Writer/Director Nicholas 'Prince' Milverton

Rhythmology

Produced by Tyson Goddard with the Young Producers Program

Dominoes & Rum

By Nicholas 'Prince' Milverton. Image by Nick Bleeker.

Vein Cage

Exhibition curated by Summer Hiskens-Ravest with the Young Producer’s Program

Astro Ark

Exhibition curated by Katie Rasch with the Young Producer’s Program

Absolute Objectivity

By Jeremy Neale and Sampson Smith. Image by Morgan Roberts.

Absolute Objectivity

By Jeremy Neale and Sampson Smith. Image by Morgan Roberts.

Absolute Objectivity

By Jeremy Neale and Sampson Smith. Image by Morgan Roberts.

Absolute Objectivity

By Jeremy Neale and Sampson Smith. Image by Morgan Roberts.

A You Problem & I Hate To Tell You This

Double Bill by Wallflower Theatre.

An Asexual's Guide to Love and Sex

By Fen Carter. Image by Jade Ellis.

The Great Beach Adventure

By Jacob Watton and Courtney Wagner. Image by Jade Ellis.

Subtitles Not Included

By Thalia Novela. Image by Jade Ellis.

Stone the Crows

By Damian Tatum. Image by Jade Ellis.

Jack Sharpe and The Curse of the Forbidden Fruit

By Fake Blood. Image by Jade Ellis.

Eyes Wide Open Mic

Presented by Backbone Youth Arts. Image by Jade Ellis.

DYA Takeover Day

From Digi Youth Arts. Image by Jade Ellis.

Fight Like A Girl

by Virag Dombay Productions. Image by Jade Ellis.

The Politics of Undressing

By A Little Life Theatre. Image by Jade Ellis.

Obstacle

By Grace Longwill. Image by Jade Ellis.

Be Our Witness

By Ritual Theatre.

The Departure Project

By the SLAMASAURUS CREW from Kelvin Grove State College. Image by Morgan Roberts.

The Latecomers

By Maddie Aprile, Lara Rix, and Sam Webb. Image by Morgan Roberts.

Rocket Man

By The Naughty Corner Collective.

Plus One

By the Backbone Ensemble. Image by Morgan Roberts.

This Fantastic Plastic Planet

By Yours Sincerely. Image by Amy Holley.

When It Rains, It Pours

By Tia Nikita Russell. Image by Morgan Roberts.

Skin Deep

By Grace Edward and the Skin Deep Collective. Image by Morgan Roberts.