Afterglow 2025 | Brisbane Festival & Sony Music Australia
Image: Rikard Osterlund
Image: Recap Media
I didn’t realise how much I needed Afterglow until I was standing there, surrounded by firelight, nature, and stillness. It had been one of those weeks— too much noise, too much screen time, not enough breath- and suddenly I was in the City Botanic Garden, strolling under glowing trees.
Presented by Brisbane Festival and Sony Music Entertainment Australia, Afterglow is an after-dark experience created by Compagnie Carabosse that transforms the City Botanic Gardens into a glowing landscape of fire and light. It’s more than just a visual display— the trail is an immersive journey filled with flickering art sculptures and candlelit installations, encouraging patrons to appreciate and reflect on the artistry.
From the moment I stepped through the entrance, I felt like I’d wandered into a wild adventure-smoke curling through the air, purple light spilling across the trees. The sound of didgeridoo and clapsticks echoed softly, while fiery candles and flames lined the grass, accompanied by layered audio sharing stories of land, river and animals – a quiet reminder of the First Nations history beneath our feet. This first installation, Ba-nguru Milpa (Spiritual Awakening) by Shannon Ruska and Guy Webster, immediately drew me in with its atmosphere and the weight of what was being shared, leaving me with a strong impression.
Image: Geoff Lawrence
Beyond the powerful opening of Spiritual Awakening, the rest of the trail unfolded as a fascinating blend of light, flame, and ambient sound, with each installation shining in its own unique way. Some lights hung gently above, while others stood tall — like shimmering reeds or glowing sticks rising from the ground, complementing the surrounding garden. In Meteor Walk by Steve Holmes, sharp red beams pierced through the canopy, blending LED technology with nature, while Ros’O by TILT featured pastel-coloured light sculptures that added a playful sense of calm to the space.
While much of Afterglow dazzled with scale and spectacle, the moment that stayed with me most was the Fire & Flourish Lantern Project. Thirty selected painting submitted by local artists of all ages were featured on the glowing lanterns, illuminating both sides of the pathway. These colourful artwork explored the theme of the Australian culture and powerful duality of fire. Some works spoke to the fire’s destructive force, while others reflected on its role in renewal and care for Country, especially in relation to the cultural and spiritual significance of fire for First Nations people. There was something moving about seeing these ideas expressed through so many different voices — all flickering together in the dark. I was drawn in by the warmth and meaning behind each lantern. Their gentle glow and emotive imagery created an atmosphere that felt cosy, reflective, and deeply human.
One part of the experience I was looking forward to was the Fire Performance by Flux. They’re known for pushing boundaries in fire play and visual artistry, and I was looking forward to seeing a high-impact show from them. But it felt like the performance wasn’t quite set up for everyone to catch it — I saw a group ahead of me watching it, but by the time I got there, it was already finished. I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed to miss out. It seemed like the timing could have been organised better, including providing set times on the Afterglow website and at the entrance to the installation, so more people could experience it rather than just a select few. Since Afterglow is all about shared moments and immersion, it felt like something important to improve for next time.
Overall, Afterglow is a multi-sensory, family-friendly event perfect for groups of friends or solo visitors, and definitely worth checking out. As the sun sets, it doesn’t shout for your attention—instead, it invites you to slow down, observe, and feel. And I did - like I hadn’t in a while.
Afterglow takes over the Brisbane City Botanical Gardens from 5-27 September as part of the 2025 Brisbane Festival.
Image supplied by BrisFest
