IT’S the second half of 2026 and big music festivals will once again begin to be announced over the next few months. Smaller festivals focusing on homegrown bands are just as important from our point of view, and here’s a round-up of some happening soon around the country.
Canberra’s Essence Festival makes its return in October with its biggest outing so far. With The Amenta and Suldusk the featured headliners along with Darwin grinders Fuxache, Sydney D-Beat lords Darkhorse, Perth post-black unit Halo of Teeth and death/sludge torchbearers Burial Pit also taking part, Essence is definitely going beyond the threshold this time. 27 bands from every state and territory across the weekend of October 2 -4. Get tickets here.
Necrosonic shapes up to its third year with final additions to the bill for 12 hours of mayhem at Brisbane’s Mansfield Tavern on August 22. Upholding the tradition as a stage for reunions and one-off return shows, the 2026 event will see first shows from The Berzerker for 17 years and return performances by Lynchmada, HELM, Minus Life, MSBI and Five Star Prison Cell. Rivers of Nihil and Psycroptic co-headline as part of their national tour together, with Gravemind, Segression, RUN and nineteen other acts appearing across the day. Tickets are available here.
Sydney’s annual Steel Assassins True Metal festival is back in November. The line-up has now been finalised for the two-date show at the Bridge Hotel, with Victorians White Widdow returning to Sydney for the first time in 14 years. Steel Assassins will also feature Perth’s Psychonaut making their Sydney debut, Melbourne’s Vanishing Point are back for their first time since 2019 and Aardvark and Pustilence are doing their only shows for the year. 25 other bands from every mainland state will also appear. Get tickets.
While ironically billing itself as an event for true heavy music fans while so far not featuring any really heavy bands, the Meltdown Festival still has a pretty staunch line-up. As earlier reported, international headliners Rise Against and Dropkick Murphys are appearing as part of their Aussie tour, with the bill currently rounded out by The Living End, Jebediah, RedHook and local pop-punkers Through Being Cool. All happening at the Entertainment Grounds in Gosford on November 28. Tickets.