Beyond mere tales of fable and fantasy, travelling Australian music celebration Good Things Festival approaches.
Good Things certainly do come to those who wait, which must mean the headline sideshows are here. Plus, for the first time, Good Things is offering exclusive access to presale tickets, to those who already have festival tickets.
At this year’s Good Things, alternative, progressive metal, art rock behemoths Tool (who last toured Australia just before the world shutdown in 2020) will be joined by another massive brand in alternative rock, power pop with the ageless Weezer confirmed Good Things starters.
The nostalgia-soaked vibes continue as you peruse the 2025 line-up with such names as Garbage (their first Australian visit in a decade, who released their eight studio album 'Let All That We Imagine Be the Light' in May), All Time Low (who recently released the singles 'Suckerpunch' and 'The Weather'), Machine Head (whose 11th studio album 'Unatoned' dropped in April) and The All-American Rejects (who have released new music with 'Sandbox' and 'Easy Come, Easy Go' singles).
As for who’s presenting sideshows. . .
All Time Low
Pop-punkers All Time Low will pull from their multi-platinum catalogue – known for their anthem, inimitable sound and fiercely loyal fanbase. Since their 2003 inception, All Time Low have shattered records, topped charts, sold out arenas, and carved out a fervent fanbase: “Australia! We're back in country this December for Good Things Festival! We can't wait to see you again!”9 December – The Tivoli (Brisbane)
11 December – Hindley St Music Hall (Adelaide)
Bad Nerves + Dead Poet Society
Essex’s Bad Nerves and LA’s Dead Poet Society join forces for co-headline sideshows. Bad Nerves are the bastard child of a Ramones/Strokes one-night-stand, while American rockers Dead Poet Society have sold 1,000+ venues and played the main stages of the biggest festivals around the world.2 December – Crowbar (Sydney)
3 December – Max Watts (Melbourne)
8 December – The Triffid (Brisbane)
Cobra Starship
Cobra Starship burst through the zeitgeist with ‘Bring It (Snakes On A Plane)’ in 2006, going on to solidify their pop-savvy credentials with 2007’s ‘¡Viva La Cobra!’ and the single ‘Good Girls Go Bad’ with ‘Gossip Girl’ star Leighton Meester. They kept the party going through 2011, broke up in 2015, and returned in 2021 with unreleased tracks.2 December – Northcote Theatre (Melbourne)
3 December – Liberty Hall (Sydney)
Dayseeker
Joined by special guests Banks Arcade, Montgomery (MEL) and Headwreck (BRIS). Dayseeker evolved from post-hardcore upstart to one of the most emotionally resonant and stylistically agile bands in heavy music. They return to Australia after a completely sold-out Australian debut tour in 2024.3 December – Corner Hotel (Melbourne)
9 December – Crowbar (Brisbane)
Fever333
With special guests Mudrat. Fever333 is a force of nature in the contemporary rock scene, known for explosive energy, politically-charged lyrics, and genre-defying sound, blending punk rock, hardcore, and hip hop. The group’s debut album ‘Strength In Numb333rs’ was released in 2019. They’re a rallying cry for those who refuse to be silenced. 4 December – Stay Gold (Melbourne)
Goldfinger
LA punk rock lords Goldfinger helped contribute to a US ska-punk movement in the mid to late ‘90s. Their song ‘Here In Your Bedroom’ was added to radio, and everything changed. They’ve released eight full-length albums, sold millions of records, and toured the globe.3 December – Croxton Bandroom (Melbourne)
Gwar
Gwar are not of this world. Their story begins far past Uranus, in the deepest reaches of space, where they were warriors in the Scumdogs Of The Universe, an elite fighting force. But they proved too reckless and were banished to earth.30 November – Crowbar (Brisbane)
2 December – Factory Theatre (Sydney)
4 December – Max Watts (Melbourne)
Knocked Loose
With special guests High Vis. Knocked Loose have a coveted late-night talk show performance and a GRAMMY nomination under their belt. Now, Aussie punters will finally get to see the Kentucky juggernaut in devastating form. On their latest album ‘You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To’, Knocked Loose present diverse, cohesive, and savagely aggressive music.9 December – Liberty Hall (Sydney)
10 December – Northcote Theatre (Melbourne)
Lorna Shore
With special guests Disentomb and Gravemind. New Jersey quintet Lorna Shore return to raise hell once more, in support of their fifth album ‘I Feel The Everblack Festering Within Me’. The group have hit viral Spotify charts, racked up hundreds of millions of streams, toured, and galvanised a significant fanbase.3 December – 170 Russell (Melbourne)
Machine Head
Machine Head are long established as one of the most influential, incendiary bands in the metal world, having been masters of murderous riffs, pugnacious grooves and ferocious hooks since 1991. They’ve continued an exciting evolution while never losing their spirit: “Australia, we are stoked to be returning to your country,” they say. “Let’s rage!”29 November – Metro City (Perth)
1 December – The Station (Sunshine Coast)
3 December – UC Refectory (Canberra)
New Found Glory
Floridian pop-punters New Found Glory are fast approaching three decades as a unit. Their highly anticipated sixth album ‘Listen Up!’ is set to be released in February 2026. . . The band’s first full-length offering in nearly six years. They’ve continued to be about honesty, community, and positivity: “We couldn’t travel all the way to Australia and not play some club shows, too,” they say.3 December – The Gov (Adelaide)
4 December – Pier Bandroom (Frankston)
9 December – The Station (Sunshine Coast)
Refused
With special guests Delivery and Baby Mullet. Swedish hardcore punk icons Refused revolutionised the genre, inspiring legions of hardcore, alt-rock and metal bands to push the boundaries. They were formed in the early ‘90s and soon became not just a band, but the nucleus of a youth movement.4 December – Northcote Theatre (Melbourne)
Scene Queen
Metal/pop Ohio-born Hannah Collins – Scene Queen – has been taking the music scene by storm with a message of inclusivity for all. Her music is a blend of heavy breakdowns and moshing, with pink aesthetics and rhinestones. She exploded on to the scene in 2022, going viral multiple times with hits like ‘Pink Rover’, ‘Pink Panther’, and ‘Barbie & Ken’.30 November – Lynott’s Lounge (Perth)
2 December – Lion Arts Factory (Adelaide)
3 December – Sooki Lounge (Belgrave)
South Arcade
Unstoppable, rising UK alt rockers South Arcade are taking the world by storm, amassing more than 11 million likes on TikTok, 35 million streams on their 2024 EP, and a growing YouTube channel. This year has been a huge one, with two sold-out headline shows in Manchester and London, plus support tours and the main stage at Reading and Leeds.3 December – Stay Gold (Melbourne)
8 December – The Brightside (Brisbane)
The All-American Rejects
With special guests Le Shiv. The All-American Rejects quickly became an iconic pop-rock band in the early 2000s, and this marks their first visit to Australia in 16 years. Their debut, self-titled album in 2002 introduced the world to their sound, and they’re known for hits like ‘Dirty Little Secret’, ‘Gives You Hell’ and more.9 December – Northcote Theatre (Melbourne)
Wargasm
Wargasm is a collision of throat-slashing thrash guitars, apocalyptic dancefloor electronics, unnervingly catchy harmonies and unapologetic sex appeal. They’ve racked up millions of streams without a proper album, and played the likes of Reading and Leeds, Download Pivot, and Bloodstock.2 December – The Brightside (Brisbane)
3 December – The Underground (Sydney)
