Overview
Emerging from underground events across Sydney over the past four years, SANDBOX is ready to take its hard techno festival on the road for the first time. Announcing an expanded series for 2026 — now including events in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth — this new era of the festival is kicking things off with a stacked lineup.
Expanding from a boiler room-style format to a multi-city experience this September, the artists headed to our shores include LA-based hard techno and future bass duo BEAUZ, the hard-hitting basslines of HIJCKD, the neorave productions of Mexican-born Junkie Kid, and the acid-laced techno tunes of Belfast's Mark Blair, alongside heavy hitters like ZAPRAVKA, Jovvyn and more.
"SANDBOX Festival represents everything we've been building toward over the last four years," says the SANDBOX team. "What started as a vision within Sydney club culture has evolved into a national movement built around music, connection and experience. This first edition is about creating something Australia can truly be proud of."
Beyond just a standout lineup, SANDBOX's national expansion is also set to take over several of Australia's most fascinating spaces for live events. In Sydney, you'll be raving at White Bay Power Station — a reimagined former coal-fired power station in Rozelle — and in Melbourne, SANDBOX brings the sprawling industrial venue PICA to life. Meanwhile, Superordinary in Brisbane and Villa Perth in Perth each elevate this rising electronic showcase.
With that in mind, SANDBOX in every city will focus heavily on lighting, sound design and stage environments, with all venues featuring L-Acoustics or d&b Audio Technik sound systems. Plus, the Sydney edition will extend across three distinct stages, complete with a dedicated space for emerging Aussie dance music talent.
Since launching, SANDBOX has hosted some of the world's most in-demand electronic acts, including Deborah De Luca, Eli Brown, Lilly Palmer, Shlømo, Trym, Cloudy, Restricted, Alignment, Will Sparks and Chris Liebing. At the same time, a growing community of dance floor fanatics has formed around its immersive, high-intensity experiences.
SANDBOX Festival 2026 Dates:
- SANDBOX Brisbane: Friday, September 18, at Superordinary Brisbane
- SANDBOX Sydney: Saturday, September 19, at White Bay Power Station
- SANDBOX Melbourne: Friday, September 25, at PICA Melbourne
- SANDBOX Perth: Sunday, September 27, at Villa Perth
Tickets for SANDBOX Festival 2026 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth are now on sale. Head to the website for more information.
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Images: Supplied.