Melbourne's St Kilda Festival Announces First Acts Of 2025 Lineup

The 2025 edition of Naarm/Melbourne’s St Kilda Festival is only a matter of weeks away, and with the announcement of its full lineup just only days away, organisers have shared the first acts who will be appearing at the free festival.

Taking place across the weekend of February 15th and 16th, the St Kilda Festival is a long-running free event which takes over the seaside locale of St Kilda, providing music, arts, and all sorts of family-friendly activities for its annual audiences.

With the full festival lineup dropping on January 15th, organisers have given punters something to look forward to by announcing three of the big names that will be appearing at this year’s event.

The First Peoples First lineup for Saturday is set to feature none other than rising indie pop singer and proud Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung woman Jem Cassar-Daley.

Having already won numerous accolades – including Best Pop and Song Of The Year at the Queensland Music Awards – and amassed a huge following across the country, Cassar-Daley is just one part of a massive program of Indigenous talent which will feature across the Main Stage and Optus Stage at O’Donnell Gardens.

The following day, the Big Festival Sunday program is set to feature some Aussie rock royalty with the addition of Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett with his band The Alter Egos. Performing cuts from his growing solo catalogue (including 2024’s The True North) and the extensive Midnight Oil library, it’s set to be an affair to remember.

Joining Garrett will be Aussie indie pop exports Cub Sport, who will headline the night with a selection of beloved tracks from their own five-album catalogue, including 2023’s chart-topping Jesus At The Gay Bar.

Other highlights of the festival include the likes of culturally focused music, workshops, markets, and the Kummargii Yulendji Gadabah Sunset Ceremony, overseen by N’Arweet Carolyn Briggs of the Boonwurrung Land & Sea Council as part of the First Peoples lineup, with dance and cultural acivities also on offer.

You’ll also be able to check out CLIPPED Karaoke at the newly-rejuvenated Palais Forecourt, the Bourne Local Markets, and live action sports including sword-fighting at St Kilda Triangle. There’s also the Hare Krishna Vedic Village, the Ratha Yatra Chariot Parade, a POOF DOOF activation, and and a new stage at the Fitzroy and Acland Street intersection supported by The Prince of Wales.

“We’re proud to be bringing back the St Kilda Festival once more, now in its 44th year,” said City of Port Phillip Mayor, Louise Crawford. “This two-day celebration of Australian live music will showcase everything from the biggest names in Australian music to family-friendly activities and entertainment for the whole community.

“Set against the stunning backdrop of St Kilda’s foreshore, and amongst all the excitement of Fitzroy and Acland Streets, St Kilda Festival will be the place to be this February.”

The full St Kilda Festival lineup for 2025 will arrive on Wednesday, January 15th.