Dead of Winter Festival 2026

Dead of Winter Festival 2026 returns this June as one of Australia’s essential winter gatherings for heavy, punk and alternative music. Held at the iconic Mansfield Tavern in Mansfield, Queensland, the festival brings together a stacked lineup of underground and touring acts across metal, hardcore, punk and experimental genres for a loud, high-intensity indoor experience.

Known for its packed rooms, relentless sets and strong community atmosphere, Dead of Winter has become a cornerstone event for fans of heavier music in Australia. The 2026 edition continues that tradition, showcasing a wide cross-section of the country’s most exciting independent artists in one of the most energetic live environments on the calendar.

If you know the festival, you know what to expect. If you don’t, you’ll figure it out fast once the doors open.

One night. One ritual. One hell of a resurrection.

LINEUP

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TOUR INFO

UPDATE: Backhand and Buried in the Sun have had to withdraw from the festival due to unforeseen circumstances. GRIZZLYSHARK and RORONOAH have stepped in to replace both bands.

DZ DEATHRAYS

DZ Deathrays are an Australian dance-punk and noise rock duo formed in Queensland. Known for blending heavy guitar riffs with danceable rhythms, the band became a major name in the Australian alternative scene through relentless touring and high-energy festival performances. Their sound mixes punk rock, garage rock, indie, and electronic influences, creating music that works equally well in sweaty clubs and on large festival stages. Across multiple albums, DZ Deathrays have built a reputation for explosive live shows, catchy hooks, and a raw Australian pub rock spirit..

MAMMAL

Mammal are a Melbourne hard rock and alternative metal band best known for combining politically charged lyrics with aggressive riffs and massive live energy. Fronted by Ezekiel Ox, the band gained a loyal following in the Australian heavy music scene during the 2000s thanks to their outspoken themes and intense stage performances. Their music blends elements of alternative metal, rap rock, and hard rock while tackling topics such as politics, social justice, and environmental issues. After reforming following a hiatus, Mammal returned with renewed energy and continue to be recognised as one of Australia’s most powerful live heavy acts.

Mammal previously played Dead of Winter Festival 2019.

JAY & LINDSAY DUO (FRENZAL RHOMB)

The Jay and Lindsay Duo features Jay Whalley and Lindsay McDougall of legendary Australian punk band Frenzal Rhomb. Their acoustic performances reinterpret punk songs with stripped-back arrangements while maintaining the humour, energy, and personality that made Frenzal Rhomb a staple of Australian punk rock. The duo’s live shows often combine storytelling, audience interaction, and acoustic versions of fan-favourite tracks, creating an intimate but still chaotic atmosphere.

BEANFLIPPER

Beanflipper are a long-running Melbourne sludge and noise rock band known for crushing riffs, chaotic live performances, and a raw underground sound. Emerging from Australia’s heavy underground scene, the band combines elements of sludge metal, stoner rock, hardcore, and noise rock into a loud and abrasive style. Beanflipper have earned respect through years of relentless live performances and their uncompromising DIY attitude.

TOE TO TOE

Toe To Toe are a veteran Sydney hardcore band that has been active since the 1990s. Known for fast riffs, gang vocals, and old-school hardcore intensity, the band became an important name in Australia’s hardcore punk scene. Their music draws influence from classic New York hardcore while maintaining a distinctly Australian edge. Toe To Toe’s energetic and passionate live performances continue to resonate with hardcore fans across generations.

LO!

Lo! are a Sydney-based post-metal and sludge band recognised for combining crushing heaviness with atmospheric songwriting. The band’s music blends sludge metal, hardcore, doom, and post-rock influences, often creating emotionally intense and cinematic soundscapes. Over the years, Lo! have become one of Australia’s most respected heavy acts thanks to critically praised releases and devastating live performances.

SLIM KRUSTY

Slim Krusty is an Australian outlaw country and psychobilly performer known for mixing country music traditions with punk rock attitude and dark humour. His performances often feature gritty storytelling, tongue-in-cheek lyrics, and a wild stage presence inspired by classic country outlaws and underground punk culture.

THE NEPTUNE POWER FEDERATION

The Neptune Power Federation are an Australian heavy rock and metal band inspired by classic 1970s hard rock, sci-fi, fantasy, and occult themes. Led by the charismatic Screaming Loz Sutch, the band combines theatrical performances with riff-heavy songs influenced by classic heavy metal and psychedelic rock. Their live shows are known for elaborate costumes, dramatic stage presence, and cult-like energy.

NICOLAS CAGE FIGHTER

Nicolas Cage Fighter are a Melbourne metalcore band combining aggressive breakdowns, modern heavy riffs, and humour inspired by actor Nicolas Cage. Despite their tongue-in-cheek name, the band are known for intense live performances and technically strong musicianship. Their music draws from hardcore, deathcore, and groove metal influences while delivering chaotic energy on stage.

FLANGIPANIS

Flangipanis are a Brisbane punk rock band known for blending humour, raw punk energy, and catchy songwriting. The group has built a reputation through energetic live performances and songs that mix irreverent Australian humour with fast-paced punk rock.

BRACE

Brace are an Australian hardcore band known for emotionally raw songwriting and a heavy sound influenced by metallic hardcore and modern post-hardcore. Their music often balances crushing riffs with introspective lyrical themes about mental health, isolation and resilience. In live settings, Brace have built a reputation for intensity and authenticity, creating performances that emphasise emotional catharsis as much as physical aggression.

DARTZ (NZ)

Wellington-based Dartz have quickly become one of New Zealand’s most talked-about alternative rock acts thanks to sharp observational lyrics, infectious hooks and distinctly local humour. Their music combines post-punk energy with pub-rock accessibility, often telling stories about modern working-class life, awkward social situations and New Zealand culture with wit and sarcasm. While playful on the surface, their songwriting frequently contains deeper commentary on economic pressure, identity and generational frustration. Their live shows have gained a strong reputation for balancing humour with genuine emotional and musical punch.

WITCHGRINDER

Witchgrinder are a Melbourne industrial metal band known for combining groove-heavy riffs, horror aesthetics, and electronic elements. Their music draws influence from industrial metal, groove metal, and modern heavy music while incorporating dark theatrical visuals into their performances. The band have toured extensively and developed a reputation for intense and visually striking live shows.

BULLETBELT (NZ)

Bulletbelt are a New Zealand extreme metal band specialising in blackened death metal marked by relentless speed, savage riffing and dark atmosphere. Emerging from Wellington’s underground scene, they developed a reputation for uncompromising brutality and technical precision while staying rooted in old-school extreme metal traditions. Their music often explores themes of destruction, war and existential darkness, delivered through punishing blast beats and harsh vocals. Within Oceania’s underground metal scene they are respected for consistency, intensity and dedication to extreme music culture.

PIZZA DEATH

Pizza Death are an Australian crossover thrash band combining fast riffs, hardcore punk energy, and humorous pizza-themed lyrics. Inspired by classic crossover thrash acts, the band balances old-school speed and aggression with over-the-top comedy and chaotic live performances.

ASTRODEATH

Astrodeath are a Sydney stoner doom duo known for fuzz-heavy riffs, pounding drums, and space-inspired themes. Their sound blends stoner rock, doom metal, sludge, and psychedelic influences into a loud and immersive live experience. Despite being a two-piece band, Astrodeath are known for creating a massive wall of sound during performances.

BLACK RHENO

Black Rheno are a Sydney sludge and hardcore band recognised for filthy riffs, aggressive vocals, and relentless touring. Blending sludge metal with hardcore punk intensity, the band have become a staple of Australia’s underground heavy scene through constant live performances and uncompromising energy.

MONSTER ZOKU ONSOMB!

Monster Zoku Onsomb! are one of Australia’s strangest and most visually unique live acts, combining electronic music, punk energy, sci-fi aesthetics and multimedia performance art into immersive audiovisual chaos. Performing in costumes and masks, the collective merges live instrumentation, dance beats, projections and theatrical storytelling to create shows that feel like futuristic underground carnivals. Their music ranges from breakbeats and industrial rhythms to experimental electronica and punk-inspired intensity, attracting audiences from both alternative music and performance art communities.

HAMMERS

Hammers are an abrasive Australian hardcore/sludge act blending crust punk aggression with metallic heaviness and socially conscious themes. Their music is built around crushing riffs, bleak atmosphere and emotionally charged intensity, often reflecting frustration with politics, consumerism and modern alienation. The band’s raw production and uncompromising sound place them firmly within underground heavy culture rather than mainstream metal circles.

DAD FIGHT

Dad Fight are an Australian punk/hardcore band whose music combines chaotic aggression with humour, self-awareness and an intentionally unpolished style. Their songs often feel like cathartic bursts of frustration filtered through sarcastic commentary and noisy DIY punk energy. Live shows lean heavily into spontaneity and crowd interaction, creating an atmosphere that feels communal rather than overly serious.

R.U.B

R.U.B are an underground Australian heavy rock band delivering groove-oriented riffs, gritty vocals and straightforward hard-hitting songwriting. Their sound draws influence from stoner rock, sludge and classic heavy rock traditions while maintaining a rough live-focused energy. Known for loud performances and no-frills musicianship, they appeal strongly to audiences who favour raw heaviness over polished commercial production.

Mitch, Please

Mitch, Please is an Australian alternative punk project combining catchy songwriting, self-deprecating humour and emotionally honest lyrics. The project balances upbeat punk energy with themes of awkwardness, anxiety and modern social frustration, giving the music a relatable DIY authenticity. Their performances often blur the line between comedy and catharsis, creating an engaging connection with audiences.

BOOF HEADS

Boof Heads are a chaotic Australian punk/pub-rock act known for rowdy live sets, rough-edged humour and fast, beer-fuelled songs designed for crowded pubs and underground venues. Their sound embraces simplicity and energy over technical complexity, drawing influence from classic Aussie pub rock and old-school punk scenes. The result is loud, messy and intentionally unrefined fun.

RICK DANGEROUS AND THE SILKIE BANTAMS

Rick Dangerous and The Silkie Bantams are an eccentric underground rock group mixing garage rock swagger, theatrical storytelling and tongue-in-cheek humour. Their performances lean into quirky characters and exaggerated stage presence while maintaining a gritty raw rock sound rooted in punk and classic garage traditions.

valtozash

Brisbane’s Valtozash are a chaotic 15-piece jazz-metal orchestra fusing extreme metal, freeform jazz and theatrical absurdity into one of Australia’s most unconventional heavy acts. Combining crushing riffs, blast beats and walls of brass with experimental composition and over-the-top live energy, the band describe their sound as “the world’s most brutal jazz-metal orchestra”, a violent collision of saxophones, trumpets, percussion and metal aggression designed to overwhelm audiences in the best possible way.

ZZADE

ZZade is an Australian alternative artist blending atmospheric electronics, modern rock textures and emotionally driven songwriting into a dark, immersive sound. Combining melodic hooks with introspective themes and cinematic production, ZZade creates music that balances vulnerability and intensity while drawing influence from contemporary alternative, electronic and post-rock styles.

Space X Dragon

Space X Dragon are a Lismore-based space rock band from the Northern Rivers whose music blends heavy psych, garage rock and sci-fi storytelling into a cosmic live experience. Built around a futuristic mythology set after the fall of Earth, the band follows the “Dragon Team” as they search space for surviving Earth refugees while battling the mysterious Rahkshas. Known for their retro-futurist aesthetic and slogan “REMEMBER EARTH!”, Space X Dragon have been “making music for astronauts since 2017.”

HELLTRIPPERS

Helltrippers are a fast and dirty punk’n’roll act channeling the energy of classic garage punk, speed rock and old-school rock rebellion. Their sound is built around aggressive riffs, raw vocals and relentless pacing designed for loud live environments. The band embraces the outlaw spirit of punk rock while keeping a strong rock’n’roll groove underneath the chaos.

SYDONIA

Melbourne’s Sydonia became cult favourites within Australia’s alternative rock and metal scene thanks to emotionally powerful songwriting, huge melodic choruses and dynamic musicianship. Formed in the mid-2000s, the band combined progressive alternative rock with post-grunge and modern metal influences, creating songs that could shift from atmospheric restraint to explosive heaviness. Frontman Dane Taylor’s distinctive vocal style and deeply personal lyrics became central to the band’s identity, helping them connect strongly with fans despite remaining largely outside the mainstream. Sydonia developed a passionate following through touring, acclaimed independent releases and a reputation for emotionally intense live performances.

GRIZZLYSHARK

Brisbane’s Grizzlyshark have emerged as one of Queensland’s most exciting rising heavy acts, blending the infectious energy of easycore with the intensity of melodic hardcore and post-hardcore. Formed in the late 2010s, the band quickly built a reputation for combining massive hooks, crushing riffs and an unmistakable sense of fun, while still delivering emotionally charged songwriting and explosive live performances. Their evolution from pop-culture-fuelled easycore into a heavier and more dynamic force has seen them earn a loyal following throughout Australia’s underground heavy scene. Winners of the Dead of Winter Battle of the Bands, Grizzlyshark have continued to build momentum through relentless gigging, acclaimed independent releases and a reputation as one of Brisbane’s most promising new heavy bands.

RORONOAH

Brisbane’s RORONOAH have quickly established themselves as one of Australia’s most promising rising deathcore acts, delivering a relentless blend of technical precision, crushing breakdowns and cinematic atmosphere. Emerging from Brisbane’s thriving heavy music scene, the band combines the brutality of modern deathcore with ambitious songwriting, drawing influence from acts such as Shadow of Intent, Lorna Shore and Fit For An Autopsy while forging an identity of their own. Their music explores themes of trauma, conflict, despair and defiance, balancing savage aggression with emotional weight and intricate musicianship. Through acclaimed releases including Accustomed to Hurt and Shores of Desolation, as well as a reputation for devastating live performances, RORONOAH have rapidly become one of the most talked-about new names in Australian extreme metal. As Dead of Winter Battle of the Bands winners, they arrive at the festival with significant momentum, bringing their own brand of crushing heavy energy to the stage.

TOUR INFO

Saturday 27 June: Mansfield Tavern, QLD

Presented by Dead Entertainment, Necrosonic, Beats Cartel & Stage Monkey

Tickets available here