Good Things Festival has built its reputation on bringing together some of the biggest names in alternative music, but there’s another reason to get excited about this year’s lineup: the incredible Australian talent sharing the bill with international heavyweights. From the explosive energy of Western Sydney hardcore to the anthems of Australian alternative rock, Good Things Festival 2026 showcases just how diverse and exciting the local scene continues to be.
With established favourites, modern heavyweights and artists representing different generations of Australian music, we’re highlighting six homegrown acts worth making time for when the festival rolls into Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane this December.
Polaris
Sydney metalcore heavyweights Polaris (we had the honour to interview at Knotfest 2025) have become one of Australia’s most prominent exports in modern heavy music, combining crushing riffs, intricate musicianship and emotionally charged songwriting. Their album Fatalism debuted at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart, further cementing the band’s position within Australia’s thriving heavy music scene.
With tracks like The Remedy, Lucid and Inhumane showcasing their ability to balance melody with sheer intensity, Polaris have developed a live reputation that makes them a natural fit for Good Things. For Australian fans, catching them on home soil is always a reason to get excited.
SPEED
Few Australian hardcore bands have generated the kind of international attention that SPEED have in recent years. Emerging from Western Sydney, the band have taken their uncompromising sound and community-driven ethos to audiences around the world, appearing at major international festivals and sharing stages with some of hardcore’s most respected names.
Their music is fast, aggressive and unapologetic, but SPEED’s identity extends beyond the breakdowns. Their commitment to inclusivity, authenticity and their local community has become a defining part of the band’s story. With their hometown appearance at Good Things, expect an intense set from one of Australia’s most exciting contemporary hardcore acts.
Grinspoon
Australian alternative rock wouldn’t be the same without Grinspoon. Since emerging from Lismore in the 1990s, the band have built an enduring catalogue of guitar-driven anthems that have soundtracked generations of Australian music fans.
From Just Ace and DC×3 to the timeless Chemical Heart, Grinspoon have a knack for delivering songs that feel just as powerful live as they do through a pair of headphones. With decades of experience behind them and a catalogue packed with crowd favourites, their Good Things appearance is an opportunity to celebrate one of Australia’s most recognisable alternative rock bands.
Slowly Slowly
Melbourne’s Slowly Slowly have carved out a distinctive place in Australia’s alternative music landscape, evolving from their emo-rock beginnings into a sound that incorporates pop-punk, indie rock and infectious melodic hooks.
Their 2025 album Forgiving Spree continued the band’s upward trajectory, demonstrating their ability to pair emotionally honest songwriting with anthemic choruses. With fan favourites spanning their catalogue, they’re a great reminder that Good Things Festival is about much more than just the biggest names on the bill.
For fans who appreciate alternative music with both heart and plenty of singalong potential,Slowly Slowly are a welcome addition to this year’s festival.
Headwreck
Brisbane’s Headwreck represent another side of Australia’s evolving heavy music scene. Blending modern metalcore with alternative influences and electronic textures, the band bring a contemporary edge to a lineup that spans decades of heavy music.
Their sound moves between atmospheric passages and punishing heaviness, creating a dynamic that should appeal to fans who enjoy exploring the boundaries of modern metal. With Good Things bringing together established international acts and Australian talent, Headwreck have an opportunity to introduce their music to an even wider festival audience.
Choirboys
Every celebration of Australian rock deserves a little pub-rock history, and Choirboys bring exactly that to Good Things Festival 2026. Formed in Sydney in the late 1970s, the band became a fixture of the Australian rock scene, earning a lasting place in the nation’s musical history with their 1987 hit Run to Paradise.
More than four decades into their career, Choirboys continue to represent the raw storytelling and straightforward rock energy that helped define an era. Their inclusion adds a different generation and flavour to the festival, reminding audiences that Australia’s alternative music story stretches well beyond any single genre.
Celebrating Australia’s Alternative Music Scene
From Polaris and SPEED pushing heavy music onto international stages to Grinspoon and Choirboys bringing decades of Australian rock history, this year’s Good Things lineup demonstrates the depth and diversity of homegrown talent.
Slowly Slowly and Headwreck represent different directions in contemporary alternative music, while the wider lineup brings together artists who have helped shape Australia’s musical identity across generations.
The international headliners might be a major draw, but the Australian acts deserve a place on your festival schedule, too. Whether you’re there for the riffs, the breakdowns, the singalongs or the history, Good Things Festival 2026 offers plenty of reasons to celebrate the music being made right here at home.
Good Things Festival 2026 takes place in Melbourne on 4 December, Sydney on 5 December and Brisbane on 6 December.
GOOD THINGS FESTIVAL LINE UP:
Limp Bizkit
Simple Plan | Spiritbox
Polaris | The All-American Rejects | Bad Religion (45 + 1 Anniversary)
Alexisonfire (Performing ‘Crisis’ In Full) | Grinspoon
Millencolin (Performing ‘Pennybridge Pioneers’ In Full) | Bilmuri
Ministry (Farewell Australia) | Chad Gray (30 Years Of Madnesss. Performing Mudvayne & Hellyeah)
MxPx | Neck Deep
Speed | Slowly Slowly | P.O.D. | The Devil Wears Prada | Choirboys
In Alphabetical Order:
All Them Witches | The Black Queen | Future Palace | Headwreck | The Home Team
House Of Protection | ivri | Kami Kehoe | Locked Shut | LØLØ
vianova | Voice Of Baceprot | Plus The Chaos Of Stage 666!
DATES AND VENUES:
Friday 4 December – Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne (16+)
Saturday 5 December – Sydney Showground, Sydney (16+)
Sunday 6 December – Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane (16+)
For more information head to www.goodthingsfestival.com.au
