Overview
All across New South Wales, stages are being dusted, soundchecks are running, setlists are being distributed, and crowds are gearing up—because Great Southern Nights, NSW's statewide music festival, is almost ready to make its 2025 return. With more than 300 gigs taking place across 17 nights in cities and districts from Byron Bay to Broken Hill and beyond, as festivals go, it's going to be an all-timer.
It would be unusual if none of the action took place in the busiest city in the state, so it shouldn't be a surprise that Sydney will be at the heart of the action. With so much to choose from and so little time to figure it out, we've teamed up with Great Southern Nights to pick out the must-see gigs and to offer some suggestions on how to make a night out of each and every act.
The Lineup
The fun starts straight off the proverbial bat in the always-buzzing inner city. Oxford Art Factory is playing host to Sydney's own ARIA-nominated breakout star Charley on Wednesday, March 26. Then, by the sea at the Beach Road Hotel, you'll find a very on-theme act for Bondi with surf stoner pop-style band Babe Rainbow on Friday, March 28.
On that same Friday over in the Inner West, ARIA-nominated electronic producer Alice Ivy hits the Trocadero Room in Enmore. Plus, Newtown's The Vanguard Hotel is going back-to-back with Adelaide's own smash-hit star Aleksiah on the same night, followed by the globally popular Kaiit on Wednesday, April 2 and the captivating lyrics of DEVAURA on Thursday, April 3.
Up the road in Chippendale, a mini festival is happening at the Lansdowne Hotel with the Booty Block Party on Saturday, April 5, headlined by Triple-J favourite duo Bootleg Rascal. If you've still got any steam left in you, swing by the City Recital Hall for SAFIA, W Sydney for Kinder, Glass Island for Havana Brown, Metro Social for Total Tommy or venues within the Hollywood Quarter for a specialised Great Southern Nights Gig Trail.
Local Eats and Treats
It's impossible to distil the full potential of Sydney's dining scene down to a few short paragraphs, but thankfully, Great Southern Nights is concentrated near some of the city's most popular eateries. Within the streets of the aforementioned Hollywood Quarter and Surry Hills, you'll find Sydney mainstays like the charming Hollywood Hotel, tequila-soaked Tio's, multiculturally flavoured Nomad, the fried chicken-focused dive bar Butter and Sydney's home of high-end degustations, NEL.
If you make your way over to the Inner West, you're also set to encounter some of Sydney's most loved restaurants. In Newtown, one of those restaurants specialises in two things: burgers and natural wines. That might sound unusual, but Mary's is a Sydney favourite for a reason. There's also Earl's Juke Joint, a New Orleans-esque bar hidden behind what looks like a butcher shop, and Cairo Takeaway, an Egyptian restaurant that some claim serves the best chicken and falafel in the city.
Things to Do and Places to See
There's always something happening in the Harbour City — Sydney is one of those cities where you can find something worth your time just by picking a direction and walking, especially in the areas hosting Great Southern Nights gigs. If you're around the Hollywood Quarter, check out our neighbourhood guide to Surry Hills for some of the most popular local spots, or visit the neighbourhood guide to Newtown should you find yourself in the Inner West.
Otherwise, there are plenty of itinerary-worthy activities running alongside Great Southern Nights. The first weekend of the festival is your last chance to catch one of Sydney's most comfortable outdoor cinemas, and you'll have until the end of the following week (Sunday, March 30) to head out west for one of the largest Ramadan Night Markets in the city. If you love a game night, you can join an interactive Dungeons & Dragons session at the Sydney Opera House. And if you want to surround yourself with what makes Sydney great, get a dose of the city's many cultures in Darling Harbour or immerse yourself in a reconstructed forest in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Where to Stay
And, of course, you need a great spot to spend your nights recharging ahead of another great gig. That goes for residents and visitors alike since a city staycation can save you some serious late-night hassle in getting home. If you want to go all-out on luxury, opt for a room at W Sydney, the design-heavy Darling Harbour stay that's hosting some of Great Southern Nights gigs — or the stunning heritage building-encasing Intercontinental Sydney with spectacular views of the harbour.
Further into the inner city, Chippendale's Old Clare Hotel is a prime pick for a centralised stay and is even dog-friendly if you're travelling with a four-legged friend. Over on the eastern end of the city, Oxford House serves as a fantastic Palm Springs-style escape hidden on one of Sydney's busiest roads.
Great Southern Nights is set to take over venues across NSW between Friday, March 21 and Sunday, April 6. Check out our gig guides for Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong or visit the website for more information.