There’s nothing quite like an Australian music festival. They represent our culture, our love of music, of art, of dancing like we don’t care who’s watching.
It’s a time of the year many of us look forward to — when else can you spend a whole day and night out with your friends, listening to music from the best home-grown and global talents, all the while engaging with art installations and expert-run workshops?
Well, we have some good news; because unless circumstances change (and we know already how quickly they can), 10 of our favourite festivals are set to be returning to us in 2021.
To get you excited, we’ve compiled a list, with lineups and other details, so you can start your 2021 festival calendar right.
Splendour In the Grass
Festival lineup 2021: Gorillaz, The Strokes, Tyler, the Creator + more artists to be announced
Splendour is one of Australia’s most-loved festivals. Scheduling it in mid-winter may not help the muddy dance floor or the almost certain need for ponchos, but it does help the festival pull in genuine A-listers on their way to other dates in Asia.
When and where: 23 – 25 July 2021; Byron, New South Wales
This That Festival
Festival lineup 2021: The Presets, What So Not, Hayden James, San Cisco, Dune Rats, The Rubens, Crooked Colours, Client Liaison
This That Festival brings the hottest new and emerging artists from electronica, hip hop, pop and rock genres together at the Sandstone Point Hotel in Queensland and Newcastle’s lush Wickham Park. The festival also includes immersive experiences that celebrate local artists, and give festival-goers activities to break up their dance party vibes.
When and where: 13 and 20 February 2021; Sandstone Point and Newcastle
For The Love
Festival lineup 2021: Flight Facilities, Mallrat, Cosmo’s Midnight, Running Touch, Boo Seeka, Lastlings, George Maple, Elizabeth Cambage.
For The Love is a music and lifestyle brand, creating memorable summer moments at amazing locations around the world, including Perth, the Gold Coast and Melbourne.
Obviously, the music aspect is huge, but fashion is also a major element of For The Love, hosting VIP and industry guests at their Nana Judy lounge, some amazing drink and food experiences on-site, and their eyewear partner Soda Shades adding to the colourful vibe that For The Love is known for, this festival goes way beyond the music.
When and where: 13 March, 3 April, 17 April 2021; Perth, Melbourne & Gold Coast
Yours & Owls Festival
Festival lineup 2021: Tones and I, Hayden James, DMA’s, BENEE, Cosmo’s Midnight, What So Not, Lime Cordiale, Pnau.
The countdown has started on the Yours & Owls website, as they’re set to return to Wollongong’s Stuart Park in April 2021! As always, they’ve got a lineup of some of Australia’s biggest stars, as well as international names and local, new and emerging artists.
When and where: 17 – 18 April 2021; North Wollongong
Lost Paradise
Festival lineup (2019): Rüfüs Du Sol, Green Velvet, Hilltop Hoods, Dom Dolla, Matt Corby, Honey Dijon, Golden Features, Denis Sulta. 2021 lineup to drop later this year.
Lost Paradise is more of a way of life, than a festival. Acting as a retreat, Lost Paradise showcases diverse music alongside a range of daily activities such as yoga, talks, healing arts, workshops and indigenous experiences that keep your senses bright and your body stimulated.
When and where: 28 December 2021 – January 1st 2022; Glenworth Valley, New South Wales
Beyond The Valley
Festival lineup (2019): Rüfüs Du Sol, Tyler, the Creator, Skepta, Matt Corby, Claptone, Floating Points, Green Velvet, Honey Dijon. 2021 lineup to drop later this year.
After it’s 2015 debut, BTV has become one of Australia’s favourite festivals and number one New Year’s events. Less than two hours from Melbourne, it’s a super relaxed way to welcome in the New Year, with your friends, a beautiful campsite and some of music’s biggest names.
When and where: 28 December 2021 – 1 January 2022; Lardner, Victoria
Bluesfest Byron Bay
Festival lineup 2021: Jimmy Barnes, Tash Sultana, Ocean Alley, Ziggy Alberts, The Teskey Brothers, John Butler, Xavier Rudd, The Cat Empire.
Bluesfest is commonly known as ‘Australia’s premier contemporary Blues & Roots music festival’, although it does also celebrate other genres, welcoming the likes of Iggy Pop, Lionel Richie and Kendrick Lamar in recent years. Set in the beautiful backdrop of Byron Bay and welcoming many local artists, Bluesfest is a whole vibe. 2021 will see the festival curate their first all-Australian lineup, which is super exciting.
Where and when: 1st – 5th April 2021; Byron Bay, New South Wales
Electric Gardens
Festival lineup 2021: Armand van Helden, Alan Fitzpatrick, Craig David presents TS5, DJ EZ, What So Not, Gorgon City, Pan-Pot, Wilkinson
Electric Gardens sees the friendship of two electronic musical lovers, meeting in London in the ’90s and debuting a festival together in South London. Since being back home (in Australia), they’ve been taking their baby across cities, wowing fans in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide with thumping dance lineups and doof music for days.
When and where: TBC 2021; Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide
Falls Festival
Festival lineup (2019/20): Halsey, Vampire Weekend, Disclosure, Peking Duk, Of Monsters and Men, Lewis Capaldi, Pnau, Milky Chance. 2021 lineup to drop later this year.
Falls is truly a representation of Australian alternative music, with an incredible atmosphere and plenty of international stars, it is one of the most hyped festivals to attend on New Years.
When and where: TBC 2021; Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia & Western Australia
Grapevine Gathering
Festival lineup (2020): Two Door Cinema Club, Flight Facilities, Crooked Colours, Mallrat, Jack River, Late Nite Tuff Guy, Touch Sensitive. 201 lineup to drop later this year.
Grapevine Gathering – as the name suggests – is more about a relaxed and well-rounded experience of Australian food, wine, music and culture than a sweaty, thumping dance floor. They support local favourites with wood-fired pizzas, gourmet burgers and slow-cooked, smoked treats, surrounded by wine country, local grape juice and indie and alternative favourites.
When and where: TBC 2021; New South Wales, Victoria & Western Australia
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It goes without saying that the acts, dates and possibilities of these festivals running could change quickly. Our advice is to keep an eye on the festivals’ websites for updates.