Created in Partnership with BASSINTHEGRASS
Peak Australian festival season falls in December and January. The long summer nights, mandatory annual leave breaks, and relaxed pace of life make for a stacked schedule for the country’s music festival lovers. While summer festivals can often dominate the conversation (and Instagram feeds), there are plenty of others worth making the trek for, and few are as underrated as BASSINTHEGRASS.
BASSINTHEGRASS is the Northern Territory’s largest (and longest-running) music festival that’s considered a rite of passage for Territorians and rivals the East Coast’s touring circuit. This year’s festival takes place on Saturday, May 16th, at Darwin’s Mindil Beach and a seriously stacked, genre-hopping lineup has been announced.
Leading the charge are Swedish electronic hitmakers Galantis, who’ll bring their euphoric, high-energy set to the Top End for the first time. With global dance tracks like “Runaway (U & I)”, “Peanut Butter Jelly” and “No Money”, Galantis’ set will be one for the festival history books. US rapper Denzel Curry will also return to Australia following his 2025 national tour. Denzel Curry is heading to BASSINTHEGRASS to perform tracks from his newly-released album Strictly 4 The Scythe.
Outside of international heavyweights, the lineup is stacked with homegrown favourites, including rock legends The Living End, Peking Duk, blues-rock staples The Teskey Brothers, G Flip, Ball Park Music, Kita Alexander, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Mallrat, In Hearts Wake, JessB and more. Electronic fans are also covered, with UK drum and bass turntablist Venjent joining the party, plus Anna Lunoe playing back-to-back with Nina Las Vegas.
Alongside the big names, the festival is putting a spotlight on the next wave of Australian talent, with Melbourne “bogan-funk” band Playlunch set to amp up the crowd and ARIA Award-winning producer Ninajirachi performing tracks from her chart-topping debut album I Love My Computer. Also joining the lineup are US house producer AYYBO, UK viral breakout producer Morty, boundary-pushing Korean alt-R&B and drum and bass artist Oktae, and Gomeroi rapper Kobie Dee, one of the country’s most vital voices, known for his powerful lyricism.
All artists will perform across three stages at the beachfront venue, creating a day-long soundtrack that’s as eclectic as the Top End itself.
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BASSINTHEGRASS reflects Darwin’s vibe: relaxed and unpretentious. Beachfront stages replace the inner-city parklands of festivals like Laneway and the sprawling bushland of Beyond the Valley. Instead, festival-goers can watch Darwin’s golden beachside sunsets as they dance the afternoon away under palm trees. Plus, the tickets start from $135, making it a slightly more affordable music experience than peak-season three-day festivals.
For interstate visitors, BASSINTHEGRASS is a chance to plan a mid-year getaway during the festival off-season. Beyond the stage, Darwin offers a holiday that’s different from your usual city escape. Festival-goers are encouraged to extend their stay and immerse themselves in the natural beauty and culture of the Top End.
From swimming beneath cascading waterfalls and crystal-clear plunge pools in nearby Litchfield National Park, to experiencing authentic Aboriginal culture, and wandering Darwin’s vibrant art and food markets, there’s so much to pack into a trip. With two back-to-back AFL matches in Darwin the weekend before and the night prior to BASSINTHEGRASS, visitors can pair world-class sport with a tropical festival escape, swapping winter coats down south for sunshine, warm evenings and the relaxed outdoor lifestyle that defines Darwin.
For anyone chasing an off-season festival adventure that doubles as a Northern Territory escape, BASSINTHEGRASS is one worth the journey. It’s a music pilgrimage that offers sun, sand, a stacked lineup, and a reminder that some of the best festival experiences in Australia happen when you go a little off the beaten path (AKA, the East Coast).
Book a trip and purchase your ticket.
