Spilt Milk Festival

Gold Coast Sports Precinct

14th of December, 2025

Spilt Milk’s hotly anticipated 2025 return hit the Gold Coast last weekend.  With one of the more exciting Aussie festival lineups in recent times, and the Gold Coast bringing beautiful, summer weather (if not just a little hot), this year’s edition of Spilt Milk was one of the best yet.

From the moment gates opened to the Gold Coast Sports Precinct, there was a sense of excitement for what was to be an incredible day. The precinct is an epic festival location. A huge, grassy space held two of the three stages, this year’s Red Bull Capsule and a variety of vendors, but the main stage is the real draw card. Sitting inside a stadium, it gave loads of options for those wanting to find shade in the pavilion or that perfect spot to mosh in. By mid-afternoon, the site was packed with people.

Early sets kept things moving, warming up the crowd before the evening acts took control. The Rions and The Dreggs brought a flow of melodic, reflective and sun-soaked tunes, blending indie guitars with their heartfelt storytelling, before Sofia Isella and Nessa Barrett really turned up the energy to get the crowd pumped.

As the sun dropped, the festival shifted gears. Sombr and Dominic Fike brought a relaxed, feel-good energy that rippled from the main stage, while ScHoolboy Q delivered a set full of confidence and weight, proving just how effortlessly he commands a crowd.

Doechii was the undeniable standout. From the moment she stepped on stage, she performed with the assurance of a headliner, blending sharp choreography, charisma, and precision into a set that left the audience buzzing. Every track hit harder than the last, and by the time she wrapped up, it was clear she’d won over the entire field.

And then came Kendrick Lamar. Stripped back and deliberate, his performance didn’t rely on spectacle — it didn’t need to. Every verse landed with intent, cutting through the night with total control. It was a masterclass in presence and restraint, reminding everyone why he remains one of the most important voices in modern music. The production of the set is something you’d imagine on a touring headline show, not a festival. Incredible storytelling featuring Sza and a interviewed Kendrick, helped make this one of the more memorable sets of the year.

Spilt Milk really turned it on this year. I’m super impressed by what they’ve managed to achieve, from lineup to venue, to ease of access, all round it was a truly incredible day.

Words and Photos by Tim Ludlow (Astray Photography)

UGLY Vodka is kicking off SUMMER OF UGLY, a national run of five free live shows featuring global and local icons – Sofi Tukker, Dombresky presents Disco Dom, Shygirl presents Club Shy, Torren Foot, and Dice – bringing world-class music directly into Australian pubs at a time they need it most.

As venues across the country face rising costs and declining foot traffic, SUMMER OF UGLY is designed to put crowds back in front of stages and energy back into venues. No cover charge. Just unforgettable nights that bring communities together again.

At the core of SUMMER OF UGLY is the brand’s mission: a sustainable, Australian-made vodka crafted from perfectly good “ugly” apples rejected by major supermarkets. By rescuing fruit from the Goulburn Valley, UGLY reduces CO₂ emissions, supports local farmers, and proves quality spirits can be better for the planet.

The SUMMER OF UGLY series brings those values to life – transforming rescued produce into high-energy nights that support local venues, local jobs and local music culture.

“Summer of Ugly is our way of giving back to the venues and communities that shaped Australian nightlife,” shares Christian Serrao, Director, UGLY Vodka. “Pubs are doing it tough, and live music has always been the heartbeat that brings people together. If we can fill a room, support local jobs and do it with a vodka that helps farmers and reduces waste, that’s exactly the kind of impact we want to make.”

Free music. Sustainable drinks. A summer built for everyone.

That’s SUMMER OF UGLY.

SUMMER OF UGLY

THU 1 JAN | DISCO DOM | THE ESPY | VIC | 18+
SAT 3 JAN | TORREN FOOT | BEER DELUXE | ALBURY | 18+

SAT 10 JAN | DICE | EUREKA HOTEL | GEELONG | 18+

SUN 25 JAN | SHYGIRL PRESENTS CLUB SHY | THE COURT | WA | 18+

FRI 6 FEB | SOFI TUKKER | NORTH BYRON HOTEL | NSW | 18+

SET TO TICK OFF THEIR BIGGEST HEADLINE SHOWS TO DATE IN 2025 + 2026, INCLUDING SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE FORECOURT THIS WEEKEND

Indie alternative icons Boy & Bear have today unveiled their sixth studio album Tripping Over Time, with the independent full-length offering a boundless exploration of melodic hooks, storytelling and luminous pop across its unforgettable 11 tracks, including serene focus track Ancestors. As of this weekend, Boy & Bear will commence a mammoth tour that will see the five-piece tick off some of the biggest shows of their career to date, including a once-in-a-lifetime performance at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt this Sunday 14 December.

Joined by special guests Hollow Coves and Darcie Haven at one of Australia’s most famous landmarks this weekend, Boy & Bear have today announced a huge run of capital city shows in 2026, including May 1 at the Fremantle Arts Centre South Lawn, Adelaide’s Thebarton Theatre on May 2, Brisbane’s Riverstage on May 8, and Melbourne’s Hamer Hall on May 15.

Tickets are on sale Tuesday December 16 from http://www.boyandbear.com/.

An immersive and kaleidoscopic album that effortlessly charms while pursuing the notions of time, growing up, new chapters and more, Tripping Over Time is instantly a timeless Boy & Bear album, with its nostalgic hues and modern flourishes enticing you deeper into fluctuations of infectious hooks, rumination, acoustic glimmers, hazy melodies and heartfelt undertones, as vocalist and lyricist Dave Hosking elaborates, “Tripping over Time is a celebration of the new-found wisdoms of age. It’s about how time changes us, we grow up, our priorities shift, our lives move onto new chapters and with this comes new insights but also new challenges. It’s a balancing act of reflecting, or even yearning for our youth whilst also embracing life as it inevitably moves forward. The record’s emotional core is really about finding peace in who we are and who we’ve become. It’s about self-growth.”

Opening with its title track, Tripping Over Time shimmers with gentle grooves and warm melodies before gliding into one of the album’s lead singles Where Does Life Begin. Magnetically capturing compelling uncertainty with uplifting beats and soaring backdrops, Where Does Life Begin leads to previously-released single Vertigo; a jangly exploration into the awkwardness of life, time and change. Between vibrant folk-hued silk that tugs at heartstrings while also soothing weary souls (Thunder), infectious sonic hypnotism detailing challenges and intimate relationships (Lost Control), and swooning love letters fit for even the coldest of hearts (Love Has Been Too Good To Me), Tripping Through Time also channels indie charm with musings on mortality (Roses), sharp melancholia spliced with whimsy (Sleep Talking) and buoyant reflections on life and permeating acceptance (penultimate track All These Years). And closing out as though in a hazy, glowing dream, Tripping Over Time ends via Movie, perfectly balancing the album’s contrast between playful charm and deeper themes, with the overall album acting as a vivid snapshot of life in every facet. But amongst the silky undulations and endless charisma throughout Tripping Over Time, another firm highlight emerges in the form of the LP’s focus track Ancestors; a bundle of melancholic serenity, brandishing Bon Iver-esque contemplations and a real-world experience for Dave Hosking himself.

“Ancestors is really about fighting for our relationships. Our intimate relationships can ebb and flow, going through different phases some of which challenge the very foundations they stand on. My partner and I had had an intense argument and I went out and sat by our veggie patch. I remember watching the bees and thinking how small they were compared to the scenario we were in. It moved me. There was however something primal and instinctive that kicked in to go back and reconnect. Almost as if my ancestors were telling me to keep striving to protect the very thing that gives me joy and peace”.

Renowned for their magnetic blend of vintage pop, alternative elements and folk edges, Boy & Bear channel nostalgia, personal experiences and universal themes into charming and captivating sonic journeys. Taking the world by storm in 2011 via their debut album Moonfire, Boy & Bear instantly won hearts and minds while also taking home five ARIA Award wins, also reaching double-Platinum status for their maiden record. Cementing their ever-burgeoning legacy with 2013’s Harlequin Dream, 2015’s Limit of Love, 2019’s Suck on Light and, most recently, 2023’s self-titled album, over the years Boy & Bear have garnered multiple #1 charting albums, top 10 debuts, seven ARIA Award nominations and five wins, over half a billion streams and ongoing performances in their wake as headliners, supporting the likes of Mumford & Sons, Chris Isaak and Laura Marling, or charming audiences across the globe with their unforgettable performances.

Off the back of previously selling the most headline tickets of their career globally, Boy & Bear are closing out 2025 in spectacular fashion with their biggest headline show set to take place this Sunday, performing on the steps at the iconic Sydney Opera House Forecourt with special guests Hollow Coves and Darcie Haven. A longtime dream in the making, revealed poignantly recently online with Boy & Bear members and brothers Tim Hart and Jon Hart detailing their connection to the Opera House and live music, the band will also perform a huge run of shows starting next May, trekking across Fremantle, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne alongside a sea of special guests adding to the magic including The Dreggs, Bears Den (UK), Cloud Control, and RAGEFLOWER.

“It’s nuts,” shares Dave of the band’s upcoming shows. “These will be some of the biggest Boy & Bear headline shows we’ve ever played and we’re pumped for it. We love playing live shows. It never gets old to us and we’re very grateful for the fact that we get to do this with such an amazing fan base. It’s pretty special. We can’t wait.”

Heralding a sublime new Boy & Bear chapter, the release of Tripping Over Time today finds Boy & Bear simultaneously harnessing their signature sound while also tripping the light fantastic into brave new sonic worlds, as Dave concludes, “It feels amazing to be releasing Tripping Over Time. We’re super proud of this record and I’m genuinely excited for people to hear it. I feel like we really pushed ourselves this time to create something that felt truly like us, to double-down on what makes us idiosyncratic and hopefully unique. It’s a pop record full of melodic hooks and stories and I think that’s what we do best.”

Tripping Over Time is out today.

Tickets to the Boy & Bear 2025/2026 tour are on sale Tuesday December 16 at http://www.boyandbear.com/

Final tickets to Sydney Opera House are still available http://www.boyandbear.com/

STREAM TRIPPING OVER TIME

BOY & BEAR – UPCOMING SHOWS:

SUN 14 DEC | SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE FORECOURT, SYDNEY NSW
Album Launch Show With Hollow Coves + Darcie Haven

Tickets available from https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/on-the-steps/boy-and-bear

FRI 1 MAY | FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE SOUTH LAWN, FREMANTLE WA

With Cloud Control and Special Guests

Tickets available from www.boyandbear.com/

SAT 2 MAY | THEBARTON THEATRE, ADELAIDE SA

With Cloud Control and Special Guests

Tickets available from www.boyandbear.com/

FRI 8 MAY | RIVERSTAGE, BRISBANE QLD

With The Dreggs, Bear’s Den (UK) + Rageflower

Tickets available from www.boyandbear.com/

FRI 15 MAY | HAMER HALL, MELBOURNE VIC

With Bear’s Den (UK) + Special Guests

Tickets available from www.boyandbear.com/

Aussie rock festival Wanstock returns in 2026 with its biggest lineup yet, announcing Sydney and Melbourne events, with the rock gods set to descend on Shoppingtown Hotel in Doncaster (Melb) for two nights on Friday 20 March and Saturday 21 March, and Selina’s (Syd) on Friday 20 March. Canadian Hall of Famers LOVERBOY will play their first ever Australian shows, alongside New Zealand icons Dragon, Aussie heroes 1927, Pseudo Echo, Bachelor Girl, Taxiride featuring Jason Singh and more in Melbourne, and Sydney will see LOVERBOY, Choirboys, Taxiride featuring Jason Singh and Ventura bringing the rock to the eastern beaches of Sydney.

Born from organiser Geoff Wansbrough’s love of the legendary Aussie pub rock era in the 80s and 90s, Wanstock has evolved since 2018 into an annual showcase of world-class acts alongside talented up-and-comers; and the 2026 edition is no exception when it comes to homegrown and international artists from the rock realms. Tickets for Wanstock 2026 are on sale now from https://www.wanstock.com.au/.

Headlining the Wanstock stage on Saturday will be none other than influential Canadian rockers LOVERBOY playing their first ever Australian shows. With their trademark red leather pants, bandanas, big rock sound and high-energy live shows, LOVERBOY has sold more than 15 million albums, earning four multi-platinum plaques, including the four-million-selling Get Lucky, and a trio of double-platinum releases in their self-titled 1980 debut, 1983’s Keep It Up and 1985’s Lovin’ Every Minute of It.

“We are excited to be coming to Australia for the first time in the band’s history next year,” exclaims LOVERBOY! “It is a dream come true; we are honoured to join the fantastic lineup for Wanstock in Melbourne, and play in the beautiful city of Sydney! Get your tickets now and we’ll see you down under!”

Headlining Friday’s stage will be 1927, formed in 1987, the band made a devastating entry into the ears of its listeners with the release of their debut album …iSH in 1988. Three months after the release, 1927 was catapulted to meteoric fame, with …iSH going on become the highest selling debut album release by an Australian artist. The quintuple Platinum selling album contained a staggering six charted singles, and for 46 weeks, …iSH remained in the TOP 50 of the Australian Music Charts. 1927 again found enormous success with the release of their multi-Platinum second album The Otherside.  The band’s second album unleashed yet more charted singles, and for an astounding 19 weeks The Otherside remained in the TOP 50 of the Australian Music Charts. With 7x Platinum Records from multiple albums, a third self titled album, which also charted, and their best work to date…the most recent studio album ‘Generation-i’, 1927 has firmly established their status as an iconic Australian band.

Returning to the Wanstock stage, Dragon formed in New Zealand in the 1970s before relocating to Australia, the long-time rock purveyors have never been ones to play it safe throughout their colourful and ongoing creative journey. Leaning into a heavy progressive rock sound that garnered a cult-like following and early success, the group have remained a stalwart fixture in the rock world, with hit tracks Are You Old Enough, April Sun in Cuba and Rain solidifying Dragon’s staying power and widespread appeal.

“We are so excited to be part of Wanstock once again, it’s been too long,” says Dragon. It’s always a pleasure to have a spot on such a great line-up with so much Australian talent, and the legendary LOVERBOY from Canada!”

An event run by a music lover and for music lovers, the spark for Wanstock festival first ignited when organiser Geoff Wansbrough approached some of his favourite bands to play for his birthday a few years back. Spurred by his love of classic Australian rock and the spirit of the original Woodstock Music Festival, Wanstock was soon born, holding its inaugural event in 2018 at the Burvale Hotel before growing into the event’s current home, the Shoppingtown Hotel, in 2019. And, as Geoff Wansbrough explains, each year is designed to be bigger and better than ever before, with 2026 set to simultaneously offer two nights of amazing acts as well as the chance to catch LOVERBOY in Aus for the first time, “I grew up in that awesome Aussie pub rock era of the 1980s and 90s. Every pub had bands and the cream rose to the top and we gave the world some great acts. As such, I used to see a lot of bands back in the day, and I still do. Wanstock came about when I was having a birthday a few years ago. I thought I would have a favourite band play. Then I thought: why not have a few of my favorite bands. That, plus the fact that I was a big admirer of the original Woodstock Music Festival, is really how it came about. Each year, I try and make it bigger and better. Now, it consists of a few components: to have two or three of the classic acts from back in the day, to give a some of the emerging talent a chance to play, and to have a cover band playing all our favorites to get everyone partying and dancing. Basically, I put it on to support our local music talent and so we can have a bit of fun while we still can. I really look forward to putting on Wanstock each year. It gives us all a chance to forget about our worries and enjoy some of that great music of our youth. For this next event, I am particularly proud to be bringing Loverboy to Australian shores for the first time. The line up for both nights is stacked with talent, including hall of famers 1927, Dragon and Pseudo Echo – it is bound to have you rocking out all night!

Tickets for Wanstock Melbourne are on sale now from www.wanstock.com.au/ and Sydney from https://selinas.com.au/.

WANSTOCK 2026

FRI 20 MARCH | SELINA’S, COOGEE NSW | 18+
Tickets available from https://selinas.com.au/

LOVERBOY (CAN)
CHOIRBOYS

TAXIRIDE FEAT. JASON SINGH
VENTURA

FRI 20 MARCH | SHOPPINGTOWN HOTEL, DONCASTER VIC | 18+
Tickets available from www.wanstock.com.au/

1927
DRAGON
BACHELOR GIRL
STONETRIP
STRAIT SHOOTERS

SAT 21 MARCH | SHOPPINGTOWN HOTEL, DONCASTER VIC | 18+
Tickets available from https://www.wanstock.com.au/

LOVERBOY (CAN)
PSEUDO ECHO
TAXIRIDE FEAT. JASON SINGH
STANDING ROOM ONLY
DAYDREAMERS

Good Things

Flemington Racecourse

There is nothing better in an Australian summer than bringing together a fantastic line up of musicians and gathering for a music festival under the warm summer skies.

Good Things at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne delivered — and then some. From the moment the crowd poured in, there was a palpable energy: thousands of music fans, wide‑eyed and primed, ready to dive head‑long into whatever the festival had to give.

With five stages, the 2025 line‑up pulled no punches. Headline‑level acts and up‑and‑comers alike delivered sets that ran the gamut from dreamy alt‑rock to brutal breakdowns, a veritable feast for the senses.

Taking his place at the back of the stage, TOOL frontman Maynard is in fine form yet again proving that Tool commanded the evening. Their performance was immersive, hypnotic and technically impeccable. Whilst the sun set on a long day, Tool delivered. 

As the sun refused to let up, Garbage injected a wave of ’90s‑alt‑rock nostalgia and funky energy into the afternoon. With what could be their last Australian performances, Garbage gave fans what they came for.

Machine Head returned for their first Australian festival outing in 13 years, and they brought with them deafening riffs and thunderous drums. Inflatable hammers flew through the air alongside giant dice.

The vibe was raw, sweaty, loud, inclusive and chaotic — but in that brilliant festival way where energy feeds itself. There was moshing, crowd‑surfing, singing along, shouting out lyrics, embracing the heavy riffs, and reveling in the lighter‑hearted sets. The production felt solid — stages were well‑laid‑out, the sound for headline acts was powerful and clear, and transitions between acts kept the momentum rolling.

GWAR had everyone ducking for cover spraying a sea of blood into the air, covering the mosh pit in red goo. Trump was disemboweled on stage, a baby dinosaur was injected with crack cocaine and the pit was drenched.

Lorna Shore can only be described as intensity personified. Their performance was brutal and precise; vocal acrobatics and sonic weight that shook the ground. For fans of heavier music, this delivered a memorable set, flames arising from the stage resembling the pits of Hades.

Fever 333 over on Stage Five gave what essentially was the most memorable and electric performance of the day. Jason Aalon Butler turned the stage into a slip and slide, pouring water everywhere and wreaking havoc.

The day had a  huge roster — from newcomers to legends — featuring New Found Glory, Cobra Starship, Goldfinger,  Windwaker, Yours Truly, and many more — proving the festival remains committed to giving punters a wild, wide‑ranging musical buffet.

Most impressively newcomer Maples Pet Dinosaur made their debut winning fans over with an exceptional performance.

With so many bands, clashes were inevitable. Sets by heavy‑hitters often overlapped with those from bands in completely different genres — so you sometimes had to choose between a heavy breakdown or a pop‑punk sing‑along. But despite that, there was a sense of shared experience: friends separated by taste still converging in the crowd, comparing favourite moments, catching glimpses of different sets, and swapping stories.

As a sea of black t-shirts filed out of the venue, one thing is for certain- Good Things is a fucking Good Time.

Behind the lens Amanda Lee Starkey

GWAR

Max Watts

Thursday Dec 04

The only time you will walk into a metal show and everyone is dressed in white is predictably at a GWAR show.

Dressed appropriately and waiting with anticipation, fans are grinning from ear to ear, eagerly awaiting what is about to unfold on stage at Max Watts.

As the band emerges, the blood bath begins and the entire pit is drenched in blood. Grinning from ear to ear as they are sprayed with blood, fans revel in the madness.

Playing through an array of hits from “Metal Metal Land”, “ El Presidente” “ Saddam A Go Go” and “ Fuck This Place” it is absolute chaos, and the band up the ante each song.

From shooting up a dinosaur baby, to decapitating Elon Musk and spraying his blood all over the stage, the show is pure shock value.

However, witnessing a GWAR show and being sprayed with blood by aliens is probably about as fun as it gets.

Words an images by Amanda Lee Starkey