The following information was relevant prior to 2023 festival dates. Check back here for West Best Bloc Fest 2024 information.  

Showcasing the best of Newcastle’s music scene, West Best Bloc Fest will give punters access to over 100 musical artists across eight venues in one day.

Back for its second year running, West Best Bloc Fest features the incredible talent of over 100 emerging and established bands from our very own Newcastle.

“After last year’s sold-out event, we have doubled capacity through the inclusion of two additional venues including the newly renovated King Street.”

West Best Bloc Fest is curated by music professionals to showcase the growth and prosperity of Newcastle’s grassroots music scene; the bands, venues, creatives, and industry professionals pushing the evolution of local live music in our city.

This year’s event will be spread across eight venues in Newcastle’s West End on the block bordered by Steel Street, Union Street, King Street, and Hunter Street. Devonshire Street will serve as a central passageway with an outdoor stage, lighting display, and live art showcase by Easel’d and co-presented by New Annual.

“Envision taking a Sunday afternoon stroll around the emerging neighbourhood of Newcastle’s West End. Weave in and out of different venues and catch a diverse showcase of slick loud sound, ethereal energy, solemn strumming – something you’ve never heard before.”

Venues activated for West Best Bloc Fest will include King Street, The Family Hotel, The Happy Wombat, Papa’s Bagels, Bernies, Jam’s Karaoke, The Rogue Scholar, and a new, unnamed space adjacent to The Rogue Scholar, temporarily named Rogue Warehouse.

Headliners and key artists include:

- Rum Jungle
- Bum Bag
- Camino Gold
- Fungas
- Bloody Hell
- Where’s Jimmy
- Amy Vee
- Teddie
- Spuz
- Turpentine Babycino
- Atlas Franklin Alexander
- Boudicca
- The Med Heads
- Butterknife
- Soyboy
- Cooks & Bakers
- + MORE!

“The demonstrated success of last year’s sold-out event has reaped many rewards for the live music industry in Newcastle. It highlighted our city as a community that values the positive social benefits of live music.

“With the intention for the festival to [be] held annually we can hope to continue hosting this day at a level we know we can; a level which will remind both locals and the rest of the country that Newcastle’s live music scene is back and thriving.

For the full event lineup, details, and how to get your hands on tickets, click here.