Toowong is set to put a musical spin on science this National Science Week, with a planetarium concert promising an evening of quirky songs, cosmic visuals, critical thinking and audience participation.
The Planetarium Variety Show will return to the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium on Friday, 21 August, as part of National Science Week, which runs from 15 to 23 August. National Science Week features more than 2,500 events around Australia, with more than three million people participating in science events nationally.
Science communicator and musician Nate Eggins, also known as Conspiracy of One, is returning to the planetarium with the Planetarium Variety Show for its fourth year.
This time, Eggins and his band will deliver a stripped-back performance beneath the venue’s cosmic skydome, combining music, comedy and ideas about science, misinformation and the modern world.
Songs, stars, and a lesson in misinformation
The night will feature songs including We’re All Aliens, Baby and The Sound a Duck Makes, alongside material from Eggins’ debut album Road to Reason and new material.
Audiences can expect funny rants, audience participation and prize giveaways, while the planetarium visuals provide a backdrop of stars and the wider cosmos. There will also be a critical-thinking workshop, along with the chance for attendees to voluntarily contribute data to an ongoing study.
Joining the show as a special guest will be science communicator Melanie Trecek-King of Thinking is Power, who is also the author of the upcoming book A Field Guide to Spotting Misinformation.
Misinformation is one of the central themes of the evening, alongside music, science and the cosmos. The event aims to give audiences new perspectives on science and the modern world, while helping them learn how to spot pseudoscience pretenders. And it does all of that without leaving the planetarium’s skydome.
A family-friendly night under the stars
The event is suitable for audiences aged six and over and is wheelchair-accessible. The planetarium environment does mean there are a few practical details for visitors to keep in mind. Auslan interpreters will not be available because of the low-light conditions, and there will be no food or bar service at the venue.
Organisers recommend having an early dinner before arriving. Doors open at 6.30pm, with the show starting at 7pm. The event is scheduled to run until 9pm. The concert will be held at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium on Mount Coot-Tha Road in Toowong.
Read: Travel Through Space at Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium in Toowong
As National Science Week takes place across Australia from 15 to 23 August, the Toowong show offers a musical and interactive way to explore science. There are no lab coats required. Instead, audiences can expect music, humour, cosmic visuals and a closer look at how to spot pseudoscience.
Published 12-August-2026
