Good Things Festival Melbourne was a reminder that festivals truly are one of the best places to experience live music, even when other festivals are struggling to stay above water.
Good Things Festival Melbourne has always been one to write home about (in this instance, literally) – generally the first date on the run, everyone’s excited, not yet sunburnt, and the bands are fresh and ready to bring Aussie fans their best.
This year’s instalment was no different.
Having been every year since it began (and probably still recovering from 2018’s horrific near-40 degree weather), this year’s edition reminded me of why I, and so many others, love music festivals – especially those catered to alternative and heavy music fans, to paint a very broad genre brush over things.
The people aspect of festivals is at the heart of why events like Good Things are so necessary – they amplify the community vibes seen at local shows to a massive degree, bringing folks who otherwise might not rub shoulders in a pit due to differing tastes into the one place, all toughing out the heat, lines, and crowds together for one big, fun, shared experience.
This year’s lineup was solid, although based on my own personal tastes not my favourite Good Things bill. However, not being as into, or indeed not knowing some of the bands at all, had its own payoff as I discovered (or re-discovered) acts I’d likely never have bought a ticket to see otherwise.
Maybe it was the feeling that watching Inertia on stage four was like being in a tiny venue packed to the rafters with a bunch of mates (and potential mates) for a band that is absolutely about to skyrocket. Maybe it was realising that I knew every single song Garbage played (even if that incident does leave a bit of a sour taste in the mouth of some attendees, and likely Shirely Manson herself). Maybe it was seeing people from multiple generations all in a trance watching TOOL, folks discovering South Arcade for the first time, or Thornhill managing to whip together an extremely tight set with what appeared to be only a few hours notice.
Whatever it was, Good Things Melbourne was as magical as ever.
Every set was a standout in its own way, even despite some sound teething issues (which were quickly resolved). Was this the best Good Things Festival iteration? For me personally, no – but it was a standout and a beacon of hope for festivals championing live music and talented musicians in a time when plenty of other festivals are going under, taking breaks, or suffering with increasing costs.
Only days prior, Park Waves Australia was completely cancelled, and it’s only been a few months since Knotfest confirmed the Australian run would be taking a break in 2026. That’s just listing the big events in our musical niche, but there’s been plenty of others across the genre spectrum that have been struggling of late. Good Things Melbourne (and the other two dates in Sydney and Brisbane, if the photos, videos, and fan testimonials are anything to go by) was a reminder that punters love coming together to celebrate music – and that’s not going to change any time soon.
And with that, here’s hoping that Good Things Festival won’t be changing any time soon either. Maybe with the exception of those toilet lines and eye-watering food prices – they can go, the rest can and should stay.
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