ARIA Award–winning singer-songwriter William Crighton released his fourth studio album, Colonial Drift, on March 20, 2026. A pioneer of Bush-Psych and a vital voice in Australian music, Crighton weaves stories of land, spirit and struggle with raw intensity. His music carries the weight of ancient winds, grounding modern truths in timeless song.

Renowned for powerful live performances, Crighton has toured with Midnight Oil and The Dead South and appeared at major festivals including Glastonbury, carving a uniquely Australian sound: fierce, grounded, wholly his own.

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.

MOODWATCH is a 5-piece funk pop band from Newcastle, NSW. Taking all the songs you know and love and adding a unique twist to them, MOOWATCH is the perfect band for events, weddings, hospitality venues, and anything in between. MOODWATCH infuses its originals into a diverse setlist of covers, creating the perfect vibe for any type of event. Alongside many sessions in the recording studio developing their new EP, the band frequently plays at pub gigs, corporate events, house parties & weddings.

Loons are an emo post-punk outfit from Mulubinba, carving out a sound that feels both restless and reflective. Formed in 2020, the band channel years of lived experience into songs that simmer with tension and quiet catharsis. Their music drifts between haze-soaked melodies and jagged undercurrents — intimate, raw, and unafraid to sit in the dark for a while. Along the way, they’ve shared stages with heavy hitters such as Hockey Dad, Dune Rats, Grinspoon, The Rions, The Terrys, Trophy Eyes and Beddy Rays — evidence that their sound belongs in heavy company. Loons have learned to let the songs speak first. And when they do, they linger — long after the room falls silent.

Johnston City is the dream band of Dashville native Daniel T Johnston, a star-studded assemblage of fellow travellers who collaborate and deliver his classic rock’n’roll bangers with something bordering on telepathy. JC have been slowly but surely building a cult following with their anthemic, sweetly swaying yet classically muscular sound that owes as much to the subtleties of vocal doo-wop groups of the ‘60s as it does to the sledgehammer barn-burners of Springsteen and Seger. The measure of an original band is how they can hook a new crowd with that familiar warm and fuzzy feeling, even though they are hearing the tunes for the first time. Johnston City have that feelgood juice by the bucketload. Their long-awaited debut long player, Decies Pride, is in the bag after a magical sojourn at Grove Studios with the extended family. Under the cosmic ears of producer Adam Young and engineer Damien Charles and will be released in the spring of 2026.

Singer/songwriter/synthlord Adam Cupitt brings his bombastic electrorock songs to four piece band EX JUICE MACHINE. Condensing inspirations from synthpop, post punk and psychedelic rock, EX JUICE MACHINE presses everything into a fresh glass of indie pop rock to quench the ears. Supported by Andy Jones of The Hedonists and GRIMELAND, sad boy heart throb Boots Porter, and bass man Wilhelm, EX JUICE MACHINE’s tight and bright synth rock is ready to be a part of your balanced diet.

Cory Jones is an Australian artist with a passion for creating expressive and exciting music. His sound comes from an explosive attitude of electric guitar and drums, blended with a love of synthesisers inspired by bands like The Killers and INXS. Cory features two rear projection TV’s on stage that provide a nostalgic and striking audio/visual element throughout the performance. The result is a show that is immersive, interesting, unpredictable and fun.

BAAM BAM makes big noise. As their name suggests, this thunderous three-piece is all about the racket – heavy riffs, thundering drums and plenty of groove. No empty embellishments. No tech trickery. Just three people shaping stadium-sized rock.

Anna Weatherup first came to the public’s attention via The Voice, Australia. For many artists, the effects of such an experience can be overwhelmingly positive, and for others, it leads them down that strange road of reflection and career recalibration; which can be equally positive, if not more so. Anna quickly became known for her evocative voice, one that can both stop traffic and capture the most delicate emotions. Her previous album, Crossing the Sea, was celebrated as a heartfelt collection crafted over several years, while Anna’s new album, Delusional, unveils her most adventurous work to date.

Angela Rose is an independent singer-songwriter from Wonnarua Country/Maitland, NSW, creating music that blends the warmth of country with the shimmer of indie folk and pop. Known for her evocative storytelling, stunning vocals and emotionally honest songwriting, Angela's music captures the beauty in life's messy, tender moments.

Her artistry has earned recognition from some of Australia's most respected musicians. In 2024, Angela was selected by Angus & Julia Stone for their mentorship program, and in 2023 she was invited to participate in a songwriting workshop with Kasey Chambers at The Rabbit Hole. She also won the Triple J Unearthed x NIDA Music Video Competition for her debut EP, Late Bloomer.

Anunnaki are an up and coming 4 piece hard hitting rock band from Newcastle. Since forming late last year, these school mates have played countless shows across the local scene, becoming known for their energetic stage presence and tight, high impact performances. Whilst performing a variety of classics from the likes of Silverchair, Alice in Chains and Foo Fighters, their original music blends genres of heavy rock and 90's grunge, shaping a unique style that feels both familiar yet unmistakably new. They have played at many well known venues around the local area such as King St Hotel, Islington Barracks and The Exchange, as well as placing as grand finalists in YouthRock 2026, making Anunnaki a rising fan favourite among the local music scene.

Citruss is a indie 3 piece from Newcastle who have been gigging together for over a year. The three girls met in their final years of high school and have been writing music together since. Citruss' music has punching rhythms and catchy melodies with a very accessible sound for all demographics. The girls main influences are Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, The Belair Lipbombs and Spacey Jane. Each bringing their own personality to the stage it is Edie, Jemima and Clodagh's connection with one another which sets them apart.

Cornea are a 4 piece female fronted post hardcore band, we've been gigging for almost 12 months now playing at venues such as: The Beauford Hotel, The Lass & King St. We also played a show in Melbourne a couple months ago

Foiled Fishing Plans are a 4-Piece Alternative Rock band hailing from the Central Coast/Newcastle. Formed in 2023, they have released two home-recorded lo-fi albums and a handful of singles. Influenced by alternative and experimental rock of the 80s and 90s, the band has a wide array of sounds, ranging from soft and melancholic to noisy and dissonant. With more gigs on the horizon for 2026, they're showing no signs of slowing down.

Formed in Newcastle in early 2026, the five-piece outfit is made up of five high school mates aged just 13 and 14. Drawing inspiration from bands like Silverchair, Incubus, Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chili Peppers, Glycerine blend the raw sound of '90s and early 2000s alternative rock with a fresh edge that's entirely their own. In just a few months, Glycerine have become regular performers across Newcastle, building a loyal following while playing hotels, festivals and community events. They took out first place in a Central Coast Battle of the Bands, earning invitations to perform at iconic venues across the East Coast, and continue building momentum with festival appearances.

Jetlag are a rising grunge rock band, delivering powerful riffs, infectious hooks and an energetic live show that has quickly made them one of Newcastle's most exciting young acts. Influenced by bands like Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age and, of course, Silverchair, the teen four-piece combines classic rock grit with a fresh, modern edge. With a growing fan base and an ever expanding list of live performances, Jetlag are proving that they are more than just a promising young band - they're one of the next generation of Australian rock acts ready to make their mark.

Sobars are a indie-rock oriented group combining elements of surf and alternative music through loud distorted amps and tender acoustic guitars. Their blend, personified by each member's unique musical taste, leads to the DIY 4-piece meticulously crafting their sets to vary in a way that catches the listeners attention without overwhelming them.