Category: Festivals

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Beddy Rays Headlining Crafted Beer Festival

After a massive debut last year, Crafted Beer Festival is heading back to Mulubinba/Newcastle this November. If enjoying some fine craft frothies while you vibe to some of the country’s best bands sounds like your idea of a good day out, you’ll want to get on this.

There’ll be more than 30 different breweries pouring more than 250 individual brews, from industry heavyweights like 4 Pines and Sydney Brewery to boutique names like FELLR, Wandana Brewing Co, and the city’s own Foghorn Brewery. The entertainment lineup is already stacked with the likes of Beddy Rays, Le Shiv, Jet City Sports Club, and Thirst Trap, but we’ll see more announcements closer to the event. And of course you can’t have a festival without food. The Mexican Cantina, Lambda Sydney, Smokin Swine BBQ, The Burger Head, and G-free Donuts will all be on hand to satisfy your craving. Not a beer drinker? Don’t sweat. There’ll also be wine and festive libations from Granddad Jack’s Cocktail Bar.

Crafted Beer Festival hits Newcastle Foreshore on 22 November 2025. General admission tickets are available from Oztix now.

Image used with permission from Gyrostream

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

HOWLIN’ COUNTRY Returning to Newcastle With Massive Lineup

After selling out in its debut year, HOWLIN’ COUNTRY is heading back to Mulubinba/Newcastle in February 2026. The line-up is stacked, with the city’s own country megastar Morgan Evans playing alongside American country acts Lainey Wilson, Flatland Cavalry, and Kaitlin Butts. He won’t be the only Aussie on the bill, with Adam Newling and Tyla Rodrigues also representing the best of local country.

“It’s great to have HOWLIN’ back for another year,” confirmed promoter Moe Matthew. “From day one, the festival was built to support our local music scene, artists, and businesses. Each year, we put a strong focus on showcasing homegrown talent, and having Adam Newling and Morgan Evans on the lineup this year really captures what HOWLIN’ is all about. We still have a few more artists to add to the lineup, but so far it feels like it’s shaping up to be a fun day out in an awesome city, and one you can enjoy with the whole family. ”

HOWLIN’ COUNTRY hits Newcastle Foreshore on February 14, making it the perfect Valentine’s Day event for all the country-music-loving couples out there. Tickets are on sale now from OzTix.

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Bad Juju Unleash EP Title Track, “Simulacra”

Hold onto your hats and press play on “Simulacra,” the massive title track from Naarm/Melbourne alternative rock act Bad Juju’s forthcoming EP. This track hits a lot harder than most of the music I’m into, but something about its nu-metal vibes has captured my heart. We don’t question; we just press play and bang our heads along with the beat.

“The expectation of perfection in so many aspects of life is becoming harder for the average person to keep up with,” the band explained. “Whether it’s real art vs AI, or real life vs what is posted on social media platforms – we are constantly pushing towards a faker version of the real world. This song is about pushing back against a robotic digital future, where our online self is almost a stranger to our true self and our ideas are know longer our own.”

Bad Juju’s Simulacra EP drops on October 24. You can preorder a vinyl copy now. They’ll also play Converge Festival’s two dates this month.

7 September 2025 – The Brightside, Meeanjin/Brisbane
14 September 2025 – Max Watts, Naarm/Melbourne

Photo credit: Cian@NoiseComplaint

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Long Sunset Hits Queensland This October

We might be shivering through winter now, but festival season will be here before you know it. One of the first cabs off the rank is The Long Sunset, whose bumper 2025 line-up features Boy & Bear, Gretta Ray, Vera Blue, The Buoys, Jem Cassar-Daley, and heaps more.

The music is the key drawcard, but there’s plenty more to recommend. Think the very best local food, all-ages entertainment, and sweet golden hour vibes.

The Long Sunset hits Ugarapul Country/Boonah in the Scenic Rim from October 31 to November 2. It’s just over an hour from Meeanjin/Brisbane and Yugambeh Country/Gold Coast, so it’s ideal for day trips. However, I recommend making a weekend of it and soaking up the atmosphere at the on-site campground. Tickets are on sale now from QLD Music Trails.

Photo credit: Justin Higuchi @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Nathan Lamont Shows His Softer Side With “What Comes After”

Nathan Lamont is showing us why there’s so much buzz about his music with the release of “What Comes After.” It’s more vulnerable and tender than the music Nathan’s released in the past. While I love his bops, I’m really resonating with this more emotional material.

“This song was born out of real-life experiences, both ours and those around us. For me personally, it’s deeply tied to moments in my relationship with my wife, moments where we stood right on the edge of walking away,” Nathan said. “It’s about choosing to fight for love when it would be easier to give up. It’s about pushing past the pride, digging into the memories of how it all began, and holding onto the belief that the story isn’t over yet.”

Nathan, who is a proud Wiradjuri man, recently became the first ever First Nations recipient of the CMAA Sister Cities Nashville Exchange. The opportunity will see him connecting with world-renowned producers, songwriters, and industry leaders in the USA’s country music capital. He’s also got a busy couple of months on local soil with the following shows:

31 August 2025 – Gympie Music Muster, Kabi Kabi Country/Gympie
27 September 2025 – Heartbeat of the Hunter @ Tocal Ag. College, Wonnarua Country/Tocal
1 November 2025 – Denman Wine, Food, & Film Affair, Wonnarua Country/Denman
14 November 2025 – Carnival of Cups @ Riverina Paceway, Wiradjuri Country/Wagga Wagga (FREE)

Image used with permission from Wildheart Publicity

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

BIGSOUND Announces Bumper Live Lineup for 2025

BIGSOUND is always one of the hottest events around, and after the 2025 lineup was revealed it seems this year will be no exception. Over 120 acts will perform across 18 stages in Meeanjin/Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley this year including WAFIA, Polish Club, Hatchie, Dylan Wright, Azure Ryder, Inkabee, and heaps more.

“We’re thrilled to finally share the BIGSOUND 2025 lineup with you,” co-programmers Casey O’Shaughnessy and Katie Rynne said in a joint statement. “Curating this year’s program has been such a joy — the artists we’ve selected reflect the incredible depth of talent in Australia, and each one is doing truly exciting things with their music. We’re so proud of this group and can’t wait to see them bring the Fortitude Valley to life in September.”

BIGSOUND happens from September 2 to 5. There are plenty of ticket options available via the BIGSOUND website, from one-night tickets to the all-access delegate passes. Mobility access tickets are also available by calling the BIGSOUND office on (07) 3257 0013.

Image used with permission from beehive

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tim Finn, Birds of Tokyo, Richard Clapton, and More Play Lighthouse Rock Festival

After taking a year off in 2024, Lighthouse Rock is back with a massive line-up for 2025. Tim Finn, Birds of Tokyo, Richard Clapton, You Am I, Ross Wilson, The Superjesus and heaps more will all hit Taribelang Country/Burnett Heads this October.

Joining all these household names will be the winner of Triple M Battle of the Bands. If you’d like the chance to play in front of more than 5,000 people, head to the Lighthouse Rock website to register.

“We are so excited to be bringing this amazing lineup of Aussie rock to the region again!” Gavin Hales from Lighthouse Presents said. “This year will be even bigger and better than anything we have done before!”

For the first time, Lighthouse Rock will be an all-ages event. Organisers understand the cost-of-living crisis, so kids 10 and under can go for free and tickets for 11- to 17-year-olds are half price.

The 2022 and 2023 events both sold out, and with such a stellar lineup I expect 2025 to do the same. Don’t get caught sleeping on this one. Tickets are available from the Oztix website now.

Image used with permission from Ferris Davies PRM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wanderer Festival Back for 2025

Is this gloomy winter weather getting you down? Don’t stress. Sunshine will be here before you know it, and with it the festival season. Wanderer Festival is one of the first cabs off the rank. Its stacked lineup featuring local talents Missy Higgins, The Living End, and Boy & Bear alongside international up-and-comers Saint Motel and Jacob Banks will hit Yuin Country/Pambula this October.

The music runs alongside an arts program featuring circus performers, a morning dance party, morning yoga, a hair dressing salon, and Welcome To Country and Smoking Ceremony with Duurunu Miru Dancers. I’m also assured the food will be “heavenly,” so this is one of those events that ticks all the boxes.

Wanderer Festival hits Pambula Beach on October 4 and 5. The campgrounds open on Friday October 3 so you can get settled before the music kicks off. Single day and weekend tickets are on sale now, so start planning your Yuin Country/ Sapphire Coast getaway. This is a biennial event, so if you miss this one you’ve got to wait another two years. That’s far too long. Just do the thing!

Photo credit: David Rogers Photography

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wanderer Festival Returning This October

Mark it on your calendars – after a hiatus in 2024, Wanderer Festival is heading back to Thaua Country/Pambula Beach on October 4 and 5. It’s a long weekend in New South Wales, so it’s the perfect time to take in sets from some of the finest local and international musicians.

The first lineup announcement happens next month, but previous festivals have showcased the talents of Ocean Alley, Ziggy Alberts, Thelma Plum, DMAs, and The Teskey Brothers, so you know the more than 50 musicians set to play will be top-notch.

“Events have a tremendous ability to inspire, uplift and connect people in a way that is so vital,” said festival organiser, Simon Daly. “I love that anyone can come to Wanderer and feel like it’s for them – no matter how old, young or where you’re from – the atmosphere and experience transcends everything.”

The cost of living may be climbing, but organisers are doing everything they can to make this festival accessible for as many music lovers as possible. Tickets will cost the same as they did in 2023. Get yours from the Wanderer festival website next month.

Photo credit: David Rogers Photography

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hilltop Hoods, Meg Mac, and More Headline BASSINTHEGRASS

The festival season might be winding down around most of the country, but in Garamilla/Darwin it’s just getting started. BASSINTHEGRASS, the Northern Territory’s largest and longest-running music festival with celebrate 22 years with a massive event on May 17. Hilltop Hoods, Meg Mac, The Jungle Giants, The Dreggs, Cyril, 3%, and more will all entertain the crowds at this year’s festival.

“We haven’t been to Darwin for three years and our whole team are excited and looking forward to performing at BASSINTHEGRASS with such a great line-up,” Debris from Hilltop Hoods said. “The festival is one of our favourite places to play.”

“Being a Darwin local, it’s a dream come true to come back home and play at BASSINTHEGRASS!” added Cyril. “It’s such an incredible festival that brings some of the world’s best talent to the Northern Territory and I can’t wait”.

This all-ages festival will become a bit more family-friendly this year with the addition of BASS Camp. This exclusive space promises plenty of fun kids activities including a silent disco, face painting, and a glitter station.

If you were looking for an excuse for a mid-year getaway, this is it. BASSINTHEGRASS hits Mindil Beach on May 17. Tickets are on sale now from Ticketek.

Image used with permission from Access PR