Cooly Rocks On, June 8–12, 2022
The rock and rockabilly vibes will be in full swing next weekend as the 2022 installment of Cooly Rocks On takes over the beachside suburb. Dust off your 50’s finest and get down for a jam-packed program of hot rods, live rock ‘n roll music, dancing and good old-fashioned fun. This year’s stellar program will transport you back in time with some bangin’ tunes from yesteryear. For the first time, Cooly Rocks On will host an Indonesian rockabilly band – The Hydrant – as one of the festival’s headline acts alongside Cooly Rocks On favourites The Flattrakkers, Ezra Lee and Louis King, The Satellites, Issi Dye and The Hellcat III, just to name a few. Didn’t think it could get any better? Think again! In a very special Cooly Rocks On first, Australia’s original King of Rock, The Wild One, Johnny O’Keefe (JOK) will be honoured with the Johnny O’Keefe Story – a two-hour extravaganza fronted by Vicky O’Keefe, JOK’s daughter. Check out the whole program of events here. If you’ve danced up a storm and need a little reprieve, we have just the thing – if you spend $25 at any of The Strand Coolangatta’s retailers, you’ll nab yourself a free ticket to the Rock On Zone where you can indulge in complimentary nibbles and mocktails from Mr. Consistent. While you’re there, treat yourself to a glam 50’s rockabilly hair makeover and immortalise your new ‘do with a custom illustration. There will be entertainment for the kids and you’ll walk away with a goodie bag from Truckloads, because who doesn’t love free stuff? That was rhetorical, obviously because everyone loves free stuff.
Lunar Electric Music Festival – June 11, 2022
We have one word for you – Sandstorm. Yes, revellers, Lunar Electric Music Festival is bringing the iconic Finnish DJ Darude to Doug Jennings Park on Saturday June 11 and we’re willing to bet our bottom dollar that Sandstorm will make an appearance. Darude will be joined by legendary electro-rockers Pendulum, American DJ and record producer Carnage, Enschway, Havana Brown, The Veronicas, Sunset Bros, Nick Skitzs, Dimatik and more. There are still a handful of tickets left, but you’ll want to act fast. Dust off your rave pants and jump over here to nab yours.
BIG CITY LIGHTS* – July 7–10, 2022
This July, BIG CITY LIGHTS* will deliver an incredible four-night festival of light, live music, colour and creativity. The cutting-edge program will transform the suburb of Southport with immersive audio-visual experiences, large-scale digital works, 3D-mapping and unexpected projection sites. Hypnotic projections are set to a thrilling soundtrack creating a sensory feast that will linger in your memory long after the last light flickers. Audiences can enjoy this free-for-everyone, public night-time exhibition that will feature works of art by leading local and national artists in the fields of light, installation, architecture and digital design. Suffice to say, we’re excited!
Splendour in the Grass – July 22–24, 2022
It’s finally here, friends! The much-anticipated return of Splendour in the Grass is edging ever-so-close! As previously revealed, Splendour will make its well-overdue return with heavyweight headliners Gorillaz, The Strokes and Tyler, The Creator taking the stage. Joining them will be a gloriously eclectic collection of artists from across the globe including indie-rock outfit Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Triple J Hottest 100 winners Glass Animals, English rock icon Liam Gallagher, and country gal Kacey Musgraves. Aussie talent will be spotlighted at the music-filled shindig too, with The Jungle Giants, Amyl & The Sniffers, Violent Soho, Cub Sport, Sycco, Genesis Owusu and G Flip set to mesmerise audiences. To suss the full line-up, head here. Unfortunately, Splendour in the Grass has sold out but a resale facility will be in operation prior to the event in 2022 and all 2021 tickets will be valid for this year’s festival. Just remember your gumboots!
SPRINGTIME – September 2–4, 2022
While summer festivals fight for your attention (and dollars), SPRINGTIME is doing things a little differently. The inaugural festival is not only all ages but also free! Hellooo happiness! Set across multiple outdoor stages in Surfers Paradise (with some ticketed side-shows hosted at partner venues), SPRINGTIME’s three-day line-up features more than 20 of Australia’s favourite acts and party starters. The festival will kick off on Friday September 2, with homegrown heroes Hermitude, Sneaky Sound System, Peach Fur and more opening up the festival alongside some top-notch support acts. Next up on Saturday September 3, Thelma Plum will hit the stage alongside acts like Ninajirachi, Skunkhour and Haiku Hands, followed by the Gold Coast Music Awards. Skegss, Alex The Astronaut and Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers will be bringing the noise on Sunday September 4 to close out the weekend and will be joined by many more incredible acts – including a whole lot of local legends. No tickets required for this epic event, but you can jump over here for extra details.
Festival X – November 27, 2022
If we asked you to think of a festival anthem, chances are a Calvin Harris song would be near the top of your list. If you are nodding right now, we have some exciting news – Calvin is set to headline Festival X and start our summer with a bang. Joining him is none other than hip hop superstar Megan Thee Stallion, who is heading down under for the first time and gearing up to make the most of her ‘hot girl summer’ in Australia. The jam-packed lineup doesn’t stop there – your ticket to Festival X will have you dancing to the likes of Don Toliver, Boys Noize, Green Velvet, Laude, Marlo, Nina Kraviz and more. Presented by the founders of Stereosonic in conjunction with Live Nation, Festival X will be landing at Alabaster Sports Fields in Carrara on November 27. Revellers can expect to see the humble sports complex transform into a party of mammoth proportions, celebrating the very best of electronic dance and hip hop music. The Festival X presale then begins on Wednesday, June 1, before the general sale is released on June 2. You’re going to want to be quick to nab these tickets!
Spilt Milk – December 4, 2022
At long last, one of Australia’s favourite music, food and arts festivals is finally hitting our shores! There’s no need to cry over this Spilt Milk, as the colourful festival is set to take over Doug Jennings Park on Sunday December 4 with a seriously impressive line-up featuring Flume, Stormzy, The Wombats, Ninajirachi, FISHER, G Flip, Genesis Owusu, Mallrat, Spacey Jane, A.GIRL, PEACH PRC, and so many more. Unfortunately for those who missed the memo, tickets have been snapped up, but you can always join the waitlist.
Falls Festival – December 31–January 2, 2022/2023
Remember when we could pack the car with tents, sleeping bags and provisions and hightail it down the M1 in search of live music? It’s been a minute, but Falls Festival is back, baby! The festival will return to the North Byron Parklands in Yelgun from Saturday December 31 2022 to Monday January 2 2023 with a deadset killer line-up including indie-rock legends Arctic Monkeys, hip-hop wunderkind Lil Nas X, electropop maestros Chvrches, superstar South Korean DJ Peggy Gou, beloved record producer and DJ Jamie XX and American rapper Aminé. Bolstering this esteemed list are a who’s who of Australian musical talent, including Amyl and the Sniffers, Ocean Alley, Spacey Jane, DMA’s, G Flip, and more. Keen to head along? Grab your tickets here.
Splendour, Spilt Milk and Sandstorm – add these unmissable festivals to your calendar, stat
Is it just us or is this year hurtling past at breakneck speed? If you're yet to come to terms with the fact that it's already somehow June, you might be missing out on a whole bunch of exciting events that are coming our way including the return of international acts, some of our all-time favourite music festivals and some dazzling light displays. Here's our round-up of the most anticipated events set to hit our shores in the latter half of 2022 ...
To find out more about what’s on in the Gold Coast, head to our Event Guide.
