Electronic Heavyweights Barry Can't Swim, Interplanetary Criminal and Richie Hawtin Lead This East Coast Festival Triple-Header
Held over one massive weekend, Overtone, Freeform and Mode are back with a stacked lineup spanning techno, UK garage and euphoric house.
Taking over one weekend in October, the 2026 lineups for Overtone, Freeform and Mode festivals are ready to be revealed. Bringing electronic music heavyweights to the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Sydney, this trio of day-to-night dancefloors is bringing the heat once more, with Overtone and Freeform returning for just the second time after debuting in 2025.
Top billed for this latest instalment is Barry Can't Swim, with the Edinburgh-born, London-based producer delivering a DJ set laced with groove-heavy, jazz-inflicted dance euphoria. Following standout performances at Glastonbury, Warehouse Project, All Points East, Lost Village and countless more, expect an uplifting, sun-soaked experience at all three festivals.
Bringing a more high-octane approach, Interplanetary Criminal is the rightful heir to the UK Garage scene, with his infectious brand of breakbeat and two-step resulting in a multitude of club-ready releases, including the twice-platinum B.O.T.A. (Baddest Of Them All) with Eliza Rose. Meanwhile, his collabs with KETTAMA, Sammy Virji, and Gorgon City have won over legions of fans around the globe.
Then, electronic music pioneer Richie Hawtin descends on each festival. Rising to prominence in the 90s with his pioneering approach to minimal techno, most prominently through his Plastikman alias, the certified British-Canadian legend is a three-time winner of the DJ Awards' Best Techno DJ. And for those heading to Overtone on the Goldy, expect a special treat with local DJ and producer Mall Grab joining as a fourth headliner.
The rest of this stacked lineup has also made their mark on the global electronic scene, with the likes of Detroit-born house and techno DJ Ash Lauryn, esteemed Berghain queen DJ Avalon Emerson, high-energy local club scene fixture Bella Claxton and London DJ and radio icon Ben UFO just a small selection of the acclaimed selectors also lighting up the east coast.
Keen for this pulsating weekend? Overtone is happening at Musgrave Park on the Gold Coast on Friday, October 2. Then, it's onwards to Melbourne for Freeform, with four stages spread throughout the Sidney Myer Music Bowl's grounds on Saturday, October 3. Finally, Mode Festival takes over Sydney's Cockatoo Island on Sunday, October 4 — making the most of the Labour Day long weekend.
Early access for all three festivals begins on Wednesday, June 10, with general public tickets on sale from Thursday, June 11. Head to the Overtone, Freeform and Mode Festival Instagram pages for more information.
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Images: Jordan Munns.
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