After teasing its return last month, seven years since it was last staged, Brisbane heavy and alternative showcase Dead Of Winter Festival has uncorked a super-impressive 2026 line-up.
Originally launching back in 2009 and offering the local scene a safe space for likeminded community to gather to celebrate heavy music, dark art and alternative culture, Dead Of Winter was last staged in 2019.
Set to bolt down at its new home at Mansfield Tavern in Brisbane's southern suburbs on 27 June, the 2026 bill features 30-plus acts from across the country and a couple of Kiwi imports, headlined by a triple threat representing the last three-plus decades of Australian heavy music.
Dance-punk, noise-rock instigators and hometown heroes, DZ Deathrays take top billing, the band last month releasing their seventh studio album, 'Easing Out Of Control', which features touring member and Violent Soho OG Luke Henery contributing bass on several tracks. "Stoked to be headlining Dead Of Winter Festival this June 🤘!"
They'll be joined by hard rock, rap metallers Mammal (and 2019 DOW headliners) who dropped their newest single 'After Party' in December, representing a new era for the band with original members Ezekiel Ox and Zane Rosanoski joined by Dave Bleus (Superb Lyrebird, Self Is A Seed) and Jon Stockman (Karnivool, Floating Me).
"Hell yeah! Another mega announcement today! We will be bringing our unfiltered rock n roll show to the Dead Of Winter Festival this June! Cannot wait, it's gonna be huge! 🐋🎶❤️!"
Then there's punk-rock OGs and certified Aussie legends Jay & Lindsay to represent half of Frenzal Rhomb. "BRISBANE 4122! (half of us will) SEE YOU IN JUNE!"
From across the ditch arrives black-metal thrashers Bulletbelt, who have not played a show since 2024, but last year recorded a new album.
"Behind the scenes we've been working hard, forging something epic. Album six is complete, and we can't wait to unleash it in 2026. Stay ready 🔥."
Fellow Kiwis, post-pub-rockers Dartz, who are currently in the country supporting DZ Deathrays on their national tour, will also voyage back to Brisbane for Dead Of Winter, the band recently wrapping two weeks recording their new album.
With a view to ease back into its position as Queensland's longest running heavy and alternative festival, Dead Of Winter has resurrected its legacy while opening the door to what comes next.
The rest of the line-up is brimming with talent, featuring both stalwarts of the underground and emerging voices from the next-gen.
Think Beanflipper, Toe to Toe, Lo!, Slim Krusty, Neptune Power Federation, Nicholas Cage Fighter, Flangipanis, Black Rheno, Monster Zuko Onsomb, Hammers, Rick Dangerous & The Silkie Bantams and Dad Fight.
"After six years, we're thrilled to bring the DOW Festival back to life. This edition may be smaller in scale, but it's big on spirit – staying true to the festival's vibe while shining a spotlight on the next generation of incredible young bands," DOW's Carolyn Bedford says.
DOW's famed freak sideshows will also return, this year including The Space Cowboy, comedian Aaron Gocs, envelope-pushers Cult The Show and Flames of Desire.
Always loud. Always theatrical. Always welcoming and above all, always super fun and super safe. As we called in back in 2019, Dead Of Winter 'is more than just a music and arts festival, it's a way of life'.
Early bird tickets have sold out. General tickets on sale.
Dead Of Winter Festival: The Resurrection takes place at Mansfield Tavern (Brisbane) on 27 June.
Dead Of Winter Festival 2026 Line-up
DZ Deathrays
Mammal
Jay & Lindsay (of Frenzal Rhomb)
Beanflipper
Toe to Toe
Lo!
Slim Krusty
Neptune Power Federation
Nicholas Cage Fighter
Flangipanis
Brace
Dartz
Witchgrinder
Bulletbelt
Pizza Death
Astrodeath
Black Rheno
Monster Zuko Onsomb
Hammers
Dad Fight
Boofheads
R.U.B
}Mitch, Please
Rick Dangerous & The Silkie Bantams
Backhand
Valtozash
ZZade
Space X Dragon
Buried in the Sun
Helltrippers
Plus sideshows:
The Space Cowboy
Aaron Gocs
Cult the Show
Flames of Desire
