3Degrees is Newy's very own explosive hip hop and horns crew, blending lyrical wizardry, booty-shaking grooves and the energy of a New Orleans street party into a live experience unlike anything else you've heard!

This collective have been staking their claim on the scene since 2023 and bring together some of Newcastle's most accomplished musicians, fusing Aussie hip hop royalty Wizla, KidLyrical (Blades) and Deejay Mathmatics with the hottest jazz horns around, all atop a relentless groove engine of sousaphone and drums. Drawing inspiration from artists such as The Roots, Hilltop Hoods, Soul Rebels, Hot Potato Band and Dirty Dozen Brass Band, 3Degrees delivers a global sound with deep local roots.

Bilby Queen (FKA Frog Impostor) is the collision of folk, experimentation and attitude. Featuring a multi-instrumental, tongues-speaking cast of rogue sweet hearts, the project folds influences of dub, drum and bass, jazz, indie r&b, reggae, latin and electronica into a lyrical and surprising performance that can be described as loyal to the folk tradition in some ways, and disloyal to it in others.

WARNING!! DRINKING MAY CAUSE TEMPORARY BLINDNESS AND INCREASE RISK OF STROKE MUST BE CONSUMED AUDIBLY IN LARGE DOSES. CATPISS imported from city, coast, country and afar only to be brewed in the 'Steel City' (Newcastle, Australia) where they have developed a unique sound of rock by hammering together elements of punk, alt-rock and psych rock to create asonic equivalent of a week long bender.

INGREDIENTS LIST: An entire can of drummer Lachlan. Corrigan’s sweat, the skin from bass throbbing Ben Hastings’s knuckles, the spit from axe slaying duo Jacob Dewberry and Dylan Stipack, the stench from the breath of frontman HeatH Turville and a quality amount of PISS. Together they are not dogshit, they are CATPISS!!

Fähm, a gathering of like minded demented souls seeking refuge in sound. Creating a cacophony of twisted tales in the tradition of Butcher Shop, Gun Club, the Scientists, all told via the gravel textured lungs of their Huck , accompanied by manic slide, aching violin and a thumping rhythm section .

A side project that began as a self indulgent dip of a toe , the band consists of members from Huckleberry & the Devil’s Dandruff/ the Howlin’ Rats/ the Outliers/ the Not Nots/Paper Thin.

London-born, Newcastle-raised, and Sydney-based mastermind Charlie Eastwood (aka Inimata) has earned comparisons to JPEGMAFIA, King Krule, and even a "friendly Death Grips," but those descriptions only scratch the surface. Fresh off the release of the Tri-State Scumbag EP, Inimata carves out a space that’s entirely his own. The album blends trance-infused energy, hip-hop grit, post-punk attitude, and electronic experimentation with a playful yet unsettling edge. It’s chaotic, it’s intricate, and it’s utterly captivating.

Drawing inspiration from the late 90s nu metal scene like Limp Bizkit, Deftones and Rage Against the Machine, with a delicious sprinkling of prog-metal and grunge influences such as Tool, Soundgarden and Audioslave, let IV bless your earholes with the heavy music gospel.

Off the heels of a massive 2025 touring the east coast Jarrod Grant and The Background Noise have started 2026 with a bang. Between opening for Winston Surfshirt, The Terrys, packing out the Stag & Hunter and putting the finishing touches on their debut album they are gaining momentum that can't be denied.

Jarrod Grant and The Background Noise have found their groove spending the last three years creating unforgettable live music experiences in iconic venues all over Newcastle with their on-stage chemistry, genre spanning set and heartfelt lyricism.

Now its time for them to bring their flavour of RnB/Soul/Folk to West Best Bloc Fest!

KRISP has built a name for themselves with their captivating live shows, led by frontman - Rob, alongside Connor (bass), Banjo (guitar/keys), and Louie (drums). With infectious bass lines, tight guitar hooks, and rhythmic vocals, KRISP delivers a sound that feels both fresh and nostalgic, the kind of groove that hits your chest and stays in your head.

Known for their unique blend of Rock, Reggae, Funk and Psych, KRISP creates a genre all of their own. They are frequently compared to artists like Sticky Fingers, Tame Impala, Sombr, Djo and South Summit and have proven their ability to appeal to a wide range audiences with their countless playlist inclusions across streaming platforms.

Piper Butcher; CMAA Young Achiever of the year recipient and Rolling Stone Acclaimed rising star has paved her path supporting Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham, Kasey Chambers and more; recently touring with Wade Forster across AU, and with Brad Cox in New Zealand, as well as travelling to Nashville for the very first time to perform at Americanafest.

With the modern pop flair of Kasey Musgraves, and soulful influence of Sheryl Crow, any performance of Piper's gives an insight into her unique sound and fresh style.

Big, bright, high energy interspersed with dry humour, onstage theatrics and heartfelt connection with audiences and community. This is what drives the SF Wrens from Newcastle, NSW. 8-piece powerhouse SF Wrens aim to bring people into the present moment. To realise life is absurd, dark and difficult, but also beautiful and fun. Expect big riffs, big horn lines and deep lyrics in a flowing, slightly mad live show. SF Wrens are set to release their debut full-length album "Bird Of The Year" late 2026, exploring themes on the very nature of existence all the way to wombat road safety.

STOMP is a 4 piece band from the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas that absolutely loves playing live music and gigging. As a band we have competed in many competition and we won bandwidth back in 2024 and in early 2026 we won youth rock.

We all bring our own influence to the stage, but everything locks together around tight drums, strong guitar work, solid bass lines, and confident vocals. The result is a sound that’s powerful and built for making a gig as fun as possible.

Formed in 2021, Trip Fandino emerged as a self-managed, fully independent collective from Newcastle, New South Wales. They swiftly carved out a distinctive delicious niche, blending indie-rock, garage, surf, and psychedelic grunge into the perfect palette.

They debuted with the single “Vultures”, followed by releases like “Freak Show”, “Sucker”, “Daytime Drinking”, “Killer”, “Snake Hips”, and “Fly In Your Champagne”—all reflecting their gritty yet melodic style and creative independence.

One of their tracks, “Sucker”, was dubbed “nothing short of an earworm,” by Newcastle Live, showcasing their knack for sticky hooks and catchy songwriting.

A raw yet catchy aesthetic, and a growing presence in local venues and festivals, Trip Fandino's energetic performances and mind bending sound make them an absolute stand out in Australia’s indie underground.

Definitely an act not to be missed.

Trophy Wyfe are 3 piece Indie Punk born and bred in the Newy scene. With an exciting and tight live show and powerful songwriting, the band have already made an impression in their genre, getting the nod as Triple J Unearthed High finalists earlier in the year. Gaining a reputation as one of Newcastle's hardest working bands, Trophy Wyfe are a must see live act.

The Howlin’ Rats are a trio born in the swamplands of western Newcastle . Formed after an impromptu jam on Halloween 2019.

Their burgeoning sound is a gumbo of psychedelic stoner blues and has seen them share the stage with the likes of Kim Salmon’s Smoked Salmon , Charlie Owen, the Johnnys, Neptune Power Federation & Astrodeath .

Having released their debut the Parade EP in 2021, and then Should Have Smelt A Rat LP in 2023, the Rats are currently recording a plenty with multiple releases planned over the next 12mths .

A dynamic fusion of indie-psychedelia, reggae fusion and world beat, The Appointments invite you into their sonic world. Pulsating rhythms and syncopated percussion drive a nostalgic and rich sound with the raw energy of mid-2000s garage rock & brotherly harmonies. The Appointments are equal parts The Wailers, The Police, King Stingray and Sublime.