Listen Out Festival Not Going Ahead In 2025: ‘This One’s Tough’

In another blow to Australia’s festival scene, Listen Out won’t be going ahead in 2025.

Organisers shared a statement this afternoon confirming the news, telling fans they were “hitting pause on Listen Out as you know it”.

“This one’s tough,” they said. “We've always tried to build something special - where the line-up reflects the culture and the energy flows both ways between the artists and you. The last few years have been tough.”

In its place will be Listen Out Presents, “one-off, carefully curated parties in killer locations around Australia all year long.”

It’s been teased that the events will feature “some of the best artists in the world”.

“We're still here for the good times... just in a new way,” they said. “We're not saying anything else... for now. Tomorrow's got you covered.”

Following news of Listen Out’s pivot in 2025, the Australian Festival Association issued a statement:

Listen Out has long been a leading voice in Australia’s contemporary music festival landscape, known for championing global and emerging talent with curated line-ups that reflected the culture and energy of the moment.

Although this marks a change for Listen Out, we commend the team for taking a thoughtful and creative approach. It reflects both the pressures and possibilities of the current festival landscape.

With complex regulations, rising costs, tight timelines and increasing operational risks, the environment festivals operate in has fundamentally shifted. We are seeing promoters of all sizes adapt in real time.

Festivals are resilient and deeply committed to connecting artists and audiences. New formats like Listen Out Presents are part of an industry-wide evolution, one that needs to be backed by policy, funding and regulatory reform to ensure a sustainable future for music festivals.

The AFA will continue advocating for regulatory change, government support, and clear pathways that support innovation, risk and resilience the festival sector demands.

Last month, the EDM and hip hop festival wiped its socials and started teasing something for 2025, with many speculating the line-up was imminent.

The festival also shared an Instagram Story of a payphone ringing alongside a sign-up link.

At the time, Listen Out’s bio on socials read, “SIGN UP FOR LISTEN OUT ’25 👀.” It now states, “SIGN UP FOR EVENTS 👀.” 

Last year’s Listen Out took place in September and October. It featured the Australian festival debuts of 21 Savage, Teezo Touchdown, Jessie Reyez, and Jazzy, and starred favourites such as John Summit, Skepta, Lil Tjay, Sub Focus, The Blessed Madonna, Miss Kaninna, Lithe, and more.