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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)
