Great Southern Nights 2025: Igniting NSW’s Live Music Scene

Great Southern Nights

Music lovers, mark your calendars! Great Southern Nights is back for 2025, and it’s bigger, bolder, and louder than ever. From 21 March to 6 April, the event will set stages alight across New South Wales, showcasing the best of Australian music in a celebration that brings communities together and supports the state’s thriving live music culture.

A Star-Studded Line-Up

This year’s event boasts a jaw-dropping line-up, blending iconic Australian acts and rising stars. Fans can catch electrifying performances from artists like Missy Higgins, King Stingray, The Cat Empire, Birds of Tokyo, Hoodoo Gurus, and Lime Cordiale, alongside newly announced headliners such as Alison Wonderland, Mallrat, Budjerah, The Screaming Jets, and Marcia Hines.

With over 300 gigs across 120 live music venues, Great Southern Nights offers an unmissable opportunity to experience the diversity of Australia’s music scene, from the high-energy beats of electronic acts to soulful acoustic performances and rock legends.

Expanding Horizons: New Regions Join the Festivities

For 2025, Great Southern Nights has extended its reach, adding the Hunter Valley and Bathurst to an already impressive roster of regional destinations, including Byron Bay, Broken Hill, Orange, Tamworth, and Tilba. Fans can also enjoy gigs in key entertainment hubs like Inner and Western Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, and the Central Coast.

This expansion reinforces New South Wales as Australia’s ultimate destination for live music, offering fans a chance to explore the beauty of regional towns while enjoying world-class performances.

Driving Tourism and Local Economies

More than just a music festival, Great Southern Nights is a major contributor to NSW’s visitor economy. In 2024, regional NSW alone brought in a record $26 billion in visitor spending, accounting for nearly half of the state’s total tourism revenue.

As part of the NSW Government’s bold Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, which targets $91 billion in annual visitor expenditure, Great Southern Nights plays a pivotal role in boosting local economies. By attracting music fans to regional areas, the festival supports local businesses, creates jobs, and injects vibrancy into communities.

A Shared Vision for Live Music

Delivered by Destination NSW in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), Great Southern Nights represents a shared commitment to revitalizing Australia’s live music industry.

John Graham, NSW Minister for Arts, Music, and the Night-Time Economy, emphasized the festival's role in supporting artists and communities: “Great Southern Nights is about firing up the live music scene – getting bands back on stage, filling up venues, and bringing communities together for great nights out.”

ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd echoed the sentiment, celebrating the festival’s ability to energize the music scene: “Our shared goal is one where music venues across NSW are pumping, and Aussie artists are having a blast performing to crowds of excited fans, new and old.”

Don’t Miss Out

With high-profile shows like Missy Higgins, Boo Seeka, and Bec Sandridge already sold out, fans are urged to secure tickets quickly to avoid disappointment. Whether it’s catching The Screaming Jets in Broken Hill for the first time in over 30 years or dancing to Mallrat’s beats in Sydney, Great Southern Nights promises unforgettable experiences for music enthusiasts.

Plan Your Musical Journey

For tickets and the full line-up, visit www.greatsouthernnights.com.au. With its rich blend of music, culture, and travel, Great Southern Nights 2025 is set to be a highlight of Australia’s entertainment calendar.

Get ready, NSW—it’s time to turn up the volume!