Your Ultimate Guide To Good Things Festival 2024
Ahead of Good Things Festival rolling into Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane next week, The Music has rounded up everything you need to know about this year's events.
Good Things Festival (Source: Supplied)
Next week, early Christmas arrives for Aussies who love metal, punk, rock, and emo, as the country’s travelling heavy and alternative music event, Good Things Festival, rolls into town.
Throughout the years, Good Things has brought massive line-ups with sold-out events in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.
Born in 2018, Good Things quickly became the biggest music festival of its kind to be held in Australia since Soundwave—and it’s become the spiritual successor to Soundwave and even Big Day Out. The first event hosted headliners The Offspring (playing Smash in its entirety) and Stone Sour (a festival exclusive), offering a little something for everyone with a bill starring The Used, BABYMETAL, All Time Low, Tonight Alive, and stacks more.
In 2019, Good Things partnered international with local, offering A Day To Remember (festival exclusive) and Parkway Drive as dual headliners. That festival hosted Simple Plan, Bad Religion (festival exclusive), Trivium, Karnivool, The Veronicas (a surprise highlight), Dance Gavin Dance and many more.
After two years away due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Good Things returned in 2022 with a line-up featuring Bring Me The Horizon, Deftones, NOFX, TISM, The Amity Affliction, Polaris, Blood Command, and others; while 2023 brought the likes of Fall Out Boy, Limp Bizkit, Devo, I Prevail, Bullet For My Valentine, Corey Taylor, PVRIS, Hanabie, Make Them Suffer, and more.
With the return of Good Things just days away, The Music has rounded up everything you need to know ahead of this year’s festival.
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Who’s on the line-up?
This year’s festival is headlined by nu-metal kings Korn, pop-punk heroes Sum 41, and alternative rockers Violent Femmes. Korn will be returning after six years away after Sum 41 shared stages with The Offspring on a co-headline run across the country in 2022. Violent Femmes, meanwhile, last toured in Australia in 2017.
Elsewhere, the festival has locked in Electric Callboy, L7, Loathe, and AViVA as festival exclusives. It’s also booked Electric Callboy, Mastodon, Billy Corgan (performing with The Delta Riggs), The Gaslight Anthem, The Living End, Jet, Alpha Wolf, Frank Turner And The Sleeping Souls, Killing Heidi, the just-added Alex Lahey, and more. Check out the line-up below.
GOOD THINGS FESTIVAL LINE-UP:
Korn
Sum 41
Violent Femmes
Electric Callboy | Billy Corgan | Mastodon | Kerry King
The Gaslight Anthem | Jet | The Living End | L7 | Northlane
Bowling For Soup | Alpha Wolf | Sleeping With Sirens | The Butterfly Effect | 311
In Alphabetical Order:
Alex Lahey | AViVA | Dragon | Frank Turner And The Sleeping Souls
From Ashes To New | Grandson | Highly Suspect | Imminence
Killing Heidi (Performing ‘Reflector’ In Full) | Loathe | Reliqa | Taylor Acorn
Plus, the return of Stage 666!
In addition to those acts, local bands will be appearing on stages in each city. Belle Haven have joined in Melbourne, Inertia in Sydney, and Bad Neighbour in Brisbane. Meanwhile, the festival’s Battle Of The Bands competition has ended, and the winners are Body Prison (Melbourne), Pyrefly (Sydney), and Cosmica (Sydney).
US rockers Destroy Boys announced their departure from the festival and sideshows today. They said in a statement, “Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will have to cancel our appearance at Good Things and Australia shows. To our Aussie fans - we are sorry we can’t make it this time, and we can’t wait to meet you in the future!”
Under the radar acts you need to check out
While it’s easy to discuss the achievements and hits by a band like Korn, the fact is that, like every year, the undercard of Good Things Festival has so much for you to discover. Here are just some of the acts you should check out while you’re attending Good Things next week:
Taylor Acorn
Going from country to pop-punk, Taylor Acorn has steadily grown her fanbase with her addictive tunes calling back to a time when we religiously listened to Paramore and Tonight Alive.
While Acorn made her mark on country music with her 2017 single Put It In A Song and a corresponding EP (both of which pulled millions of streams on Spotify), she returned to her pop-punk roots in 2020, drawing the attention of Mayday Parade and many elder emos with her cover of Jamie All Over.
Sharing her own music since then, Acorn has made waves with tunes like Shapeshifting, In My Head, and Do That Again.
Heading to Good Things from Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, Acorn made her Australian debut back in March with two shows at Sydney’s Oxford Art Factory and Melbourne’s Stay Gold. Since then, she’s dropped her debut album, Survival In Motion, which arrived in September.
AViVA
You might not recognise AViVA’s name, but you might remember her song GRRRLS.
Her 2017 single, an energetic alternative rock banger that wouldn’t sound out of place in playlists alongside Halsey, Lorde and CHVRCHES, went gold in the US and Canada and platinum in Australia this year.
The independent Australian chameleonic rock artist released her fifth album, Hopeless Romantic, earlier this month. She’s known for her dark, euphoric pop-punk sound and effortless connection with audiences.
In addition to her exciting live shows and receiving impressive certifications, AViVA has been complimented on her thrilling sonic production that features crashing guitars, intense drumming, catchy choruses, conceptual dystopian worlds, and her confident attitude.
This year, AViVA collaborated with Y.O.G.A. (Reuben Styles from Peking Duk) and has toured with the likes of Yungblud, Poppy, Enter Shikari, Pale Waves, and more.
Reliqa
Reliqa have become one of Australia’s most in-demand prog metal bands, having opened for and shared stages with the likes of Karnivool, Northlane, Spiritbox, Halestorm, and BABYMETAL.
In February, they signed to Germany’s premier heavy music label, Nuclear Blast, and Australia’s own Greyscale Records.
A month later, Reliqa announced their debut album, Secrets Of The Future, which arrived earlier this year. The record was produced by producer/engineer Chris Blancato (Northlane, MAY-A, Vilify).
Secrets Of The Future lives up to its title, melding elements of melodic metalcore, contemporary rap, K-pop, J-metal, atmospheric pop, modern progressive metal, and more traditional rock and metal for a futuristic, stylish album.
Vocalist Monique Pym told The Music in a recent interview: “There is so much space for positivity in heavy music that people don't tap into too much. Of course, it's an amazing place to let out all of those negative energies and frustrations. It’s definitely cathartic, but there's also space for joy and eagerness, and that's something that we like to have woven into our music. It’s very human.”
Dates and venues
Good Things Festival returns for three days next week. Heading back to its longtime haunts of the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne on Friday, 6 December, the event then rolls into Centennial Park in Sydney on Saturday, 7 December, and the Showgrounds in Brisbane on Sunday, 8 December.
Is Good Things all-ages?
If you’re under 18, you can attend Good Things—but only if you’re 15 and over in Brisbane and Melbourne, or over 16 in Sydney. You must also be accompanied by a responsible adult. Whether you’re a teen or adult, you need a current photo ID to enter the festival.
According to the Good Things Festival FAQ, you must select a youth ticket and registered post as the delivery option, as your wristband will be sent to you before the event. Tickets bought now will have punters picking up their under-18 wristbands from the box office.
Are tickets sold out?
If you use Facebook or Instagram, chances are you’ve seen a sponsored post from Good Things about how quickly tickets are selling. Organisers aren’t lying about how quickly the tickets are going – Melbourne is 92% sold out, Sydney is 90% sold out, and Brisbane is 95% sold out. You can grab your tickets before they’re all gone here.
Where are the maps and set times?
Right here! We’ve linked to the Good Things Festival Instagram post about the maps and set times rather than embed photos that could be too small to see. The good news? The event is set to finish early, so if you’re attending on a school night, you won’t have to worry too much as Korn’s set is set to finish by 9:45 pm. You might want to get in early, however, as British metal outfit Loathe are starting bright and early at 12:10 pm.
What food options are there at Good Things?
At the time of publication, there’s no information about which food trucks will be at this year’s Good Things. However, as someone who’s been a few times, I can confidently let you know that you can expect pizza, fries, souvlaki/kebabs, ice cream, nuggies, and other delicious delights. Keep an eye on the festival’s social media channels and website for details as they arrive.
Is there free water?
Indeed, there is! Check the maps above to see where you can find the free water at your leg of the festival.
What am I allowed to bring to the festival?
Straight from the Good Things website, here’s what you can (and should) and shouldn’t bring onto the grounds:
Photo ID
Your ticket!
Any important phone numbers
Sunblock
Any medications – if you have a chronic condition or illness (such as asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy), it’s advisable to carry information about your condition and an emergency contact
A hat!
Charged mobile phone!
Comfy clothes and shoes!
Small bags and backpacks are allowed (no larger than A4 size), but your bag will be searched upon entry
Video cameras and umbrellas – check your ticket conditions for confirmation.
No spike collars or studded belts will be allowed
One empty water bottle – if you’re with a group of friends, make sure you all bring one!
Snacks, sandwiches, etc!
Is Good Things accessible?
Good Things has a dedicated accessible entrance to cater for patron requirements as well as accessible parking bays. If you need more information on those locations, you can contact the Good Things team here.
The festival also has accessible viewing platforms on the main stages (one and two) and second stages (three and four). However, those platforms are only for patrons with physical mobility requirements and a carer. Punters with temporary injuries and using items such as crutches, moonboots or similar, are not able to use the platforms.
How do I get to the festival?
You can get to Good Things in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane via car or public transport, with train stations, tram stops, and bus stops close to the venues. There will also be designated parking spots for Uber and other rideshare options. Bare in mind, however, that there are often limited parking options available, and public transport is encouraged, especially if you’re going to drink alcohol while at the festival. Keep an eye on the festival’s social media channels and website for details as they arrive.
Will there be AUSLAN interpreters?
Yep! The Good Things team has locked in AUSLAN interpreters at the main stages, and is looking to get interpreters at the second stages, too.
What if I can’t use porta-potties? Are there different toilets?
There are accessible toilets at Good Things by the accessible viewing platform. Check your city’s map for more information on where those toilets are.
If I feel overwhelmed or need a quiet room, will Good Things have a breakout space like that?
The Good Things team notes that each city will have a dedicated chill-out space for those dealing with sensory overload.
However, due to the nature of the event – a five-stage festival in open venues with loud music – the team cannot guarantee that the space will be completely clear of music or crowds. You can contact the team and discuss specific requirements here. While sensory kits won’t be given out at the event, you are welcome to bring yours – contact the team here if you have any questions.
Which bands are playing sideshows?
TONS of Good Things artists are playing sideshows this year.
The highlights of the 2024 Good Things sideshows include Sum 41 with special guest grandson, Violent Femmes with a one-off show at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre, Billy Corgan with The Delta Riggs, Mastodon with special guest Kerry King, Bowling For Soup with special guest Taylor Acorn, 311 with their first Aussie shows since 1998, Frank Turner And The Sleeping Souls in intimate venues, and more.
Check out the list of sideshows below, and get your last-minute tickets here.
GOOD THINGS FESTIVAL 2024 SIDESHOWS
KORN
ONLY AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE SHOW (SOLD OUT)
WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER - ADELAIDE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE ARENA, ADELAIDE
SUM 41
WITH SPECIAL GUEST GRANDSON*
WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER - FORTITUDE MUSIC HALL, BRISBANE
TUESDAY 10 DECEMBER - AEC THEATRE, ADELAIDE
THURSDAY 12 DECEMBER - MARGARET COURT ARENA, MELBOURNE
SATURDAY 14 DECEMBER - HORDERN PAVILION, SYDNEY*
*Grandson not appearing
VIOLENT FEMMES
THURSDAY 5 DECEMBER - PALAIS THEATRE, MELBOURNE
BILLY CORGAN
WITH THE DELTA RIGGS
SUNDAY 1 DECEMBER - HINDLEY ST MUSIC HALL, ADELAIDE
TUESDAY 3 DECEMBER - PALAIS THEATRE, MELBOURNE
WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER - ENMORE THEATRE, SYDNEY
MASTODON
WITH SPECIAL GUEST KERRY KING
TUESDAY 3 DECEMBER - ROUNDHOUSE, SYDNEY
WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER - NORTHCOTE THEATRE, MELBOURNE (SOLD OUT)
THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM
MONDAY 2 DECEMBER - THE TIVOLI, BRISBANE
TUESDAY 3 DECEMBER - LIBERTY HALL, SYDNEY
WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER - CROXTON BANDROOM, MELBOURNE (SOLD OUT)
BOWLING FOR SOUP
WITH SPECIAL GUEST TAYLOR ACORN
TUESDAY 10 DECEMBER - METRO THEATRE, SYDNEY
WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER - PRINCESS THEATRE, BRISBANE
THURSDAY 12 DECEMBER - CORNER HOTEL, MELBOURNE
SLEEPING WITH SIRENS
TUESDAY 3 DECEMBER - FACTORY THEATRE, SYDNEY
THURSDAY 5 DECEMBER - NORTHCOTE THEATRE, MELBOURNE (SELLING FAST)
TUESDAY 10 DECEMBER - THE TIVOLI, BRISBANE
311
WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER - 170 RUSSELL, MELBOURNE
TUESDAY 10 DECEMBER - THE TRIFFID, BRISBANE
WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER - LIBERTY HALL, SYDNEY
FRANK TURNER AND THE SLEEPING SOULS
TUESDAY 3 DECEMBER - GERSHWIN ROOM, MELBOURNE (SOLD OUT)
WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER - CROWBAR, SYDNEY
FROM ASHES TO NEW
WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER - STAY GOLD, MELBOURNE
TUESDAY 10 DECEMBER - CROWBAR, SYDNEY
HIGHLY SUSPECT
TUESDAY 3 DECEMBER - MAX WATTS, MELBOURNE
WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER - LION ARTS FACTORY, ADELAIDE
IMMINENCE
TUESDAY 3 DECEMBER - CROWBAR, SYDNEY
THURSDAY 5 DECEMBER - STAY GOLD, MELBOURNE (SOLD OUT)
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