Triple J Is Bringing Back Its One Night Stand Regional Music Festival for the First Time in Five Years

Twenty years ago, Triple J gave the Victorian town of Natimuk a day to remember when the spot 300 kilometres out of Melbourne hosted its very own major music festival, with Grinspoon, Eskimo Joe and The Dissociatives (aka Daniel Johns and Paul Mac) all hitting the stage. So began One Night Stand, which became a yearly tradition, with the Australian radio station putting on a fest in different regional locations every year between 2004–2014, then again from 2016–2019.

There's no prizes for guessing why One Night Stand hasn't taken place since 2020, but that gap in the event's history will come to an end in 2024. Triple J has announced the return of the festival this year — date, lineup and place to be confirmed, of course, because this stint of live tunes is still all about folks submitting their towns to play host, making a convincing case about their area, then one lucky place being chosen.

The all-ages event will return at time when the Australian live music scene is suffering, and after a spate of festivals have been cancelling or saying farewell forever. In 2024 alone, both Groovin the Moo and Splendour in the Grass announced lineups, then scrapped this year's fests mere weeks later. Summergrounds Music Festival, which was meant to debut at Sydney Festival 2024, also didn't go ahead. As announced in 2023, Dark Mofo is taking a breather this year — and Mona Foma, the summer fest also held by Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art, has advised that its 2024 event was its last ever.

With the state of the industry in mind, bringing back One Night Stand is not only much-needed and well-timed, but will also raise funds Support Act, the charity for the Australian music industry.

"The ABC is one of the biggest supporters of Australian music and live performance. At a time when the local music industry needs support, the ABC is thrilled to come to the party with the return of triple j's One Night Stand," said ABC Managing Director David Anderson.

"We recognise the festival landscape in Australia has changed since we last put on a One Night Stand."

"We're beyond stoked to be bringing back Triple J's One Night Stand in 2024 to continue our support of Australian artists and provide an opportunity for young people in the regions to get around some live music," added Lachlan Macara, Head of Triple J, Double J and ABC Country.

"We're busy working on an incredible line up sure to create another One Night Stand for the history books and we can't wait to see where we'll be heading in 2024."

If you live beyond the big smoke and fancy a music fest in your regional town, now is your chance to tell the radio station why — and a party might be coming your way, while helping the music industry at the same time. Submissions to host 2024's One Night Stand are open now.

In the past, the event has also been to Ayr, Dalby and Mt Isa in Queensland; Port Pirie, Tumby Bay and Lucindale in South Australia; Cowra and Dubbo in New South Wales; Collie and Geraldton in Western Australia; Sale and Mildura in Victoria; Alice Springs in the Northern Territory; and St Helens in Tasmania.

And on the One Night Stand bill over the years? Flume, The Jungle Giants, G Flip, Hilltop Hoods, Silverchair, Pnau, Art vs Science, The Temper Trap, The Rubens, Rufus, Alison Wonderland, Peking Duk, Tash Sultana, Violent Soho, Tkay Maidza, Ocean Alley, Meg Mac, AB Original and more.

To submit your regional Australian town to host 2024's triple j One Night Stand, fill out the radio station's form — and head to its website for more details.