Darwin’s long-running festival Bass in the Grass has locked in its 2025 lineup, and among the names set to shake up Mindil Beach is none other than metalcore heavyweights The Amity Affliction.
It’s an unexpected but welcome addition to a festival better known for hip-hop, indie, and electronic acts—but if there’s one thing Amity knows how to do, it’s make an impact.
The festival, set for Saturday, 17 May 2025, brings together a mix of homegrown and international talent. Hilltop Hoods, Meg Mac, The Jungle Giants, Luude, Jax Jones, and more round out the bill, offering everything from hip-hop to dance, folk to alternative. But Amity’s inclusion throws a bit of much-needed heaviness into the mix, ensuring there’s something for those who prefer their music loud, emotional, and dripping with catharsis.
However, it’s unlikely longtime bassist Ahren Stringer will be part of the performance. The announcement comes amidst a turbulent period for Stringer, whose relationship with the band has been on shaky ground. After stepping away during The Amity Affliction’s U.S. tour last year to focus on sobriety, Stringer initially returned with a sense of optimism, declaring himself “happy, sober and thriving.” But in recent months, he has distanced himself from the group, publicly expressing feelings of alienation and confirming to fans that his departure was not his choice. He even marked the occasion by announcing he would no longer be creating Amity-related tattoos, a long-standing tradition that connected him deeply to the band’s supporters.
But Stringer isn’t fading into obscurity. Instead, he’s channeling his energy into his first-ever solo project, which he has promised will be released “real soon.” Responding to a fan on social media, he didn’t hold back: “Way better music and it’s all written by me. Debut album coming real soon, and by soon I mean real soon.” This marks a significant shift for Stringer, who was always a core part of Amity’s sound but is now stepping into full creative control for the first time. Whether he’ll stick to post-hardcore and metalcore roots or experiment with something fresh remains to be seen, but either way, fans won’t be waiting long to hear what’s next, according to Stringer.
For a festival that prides itself on diversity, dropping a metalcore band like The Amity Affliction into the middle of it all makes for an interesting shake-up. Expect the usual festivalgoers swaying to indie grooves to be met with a sea of fans ready to throw down in the sandpit.
Bass in the Grass has been running for over two decades, and in 2025, it’ll once again take over Darwin’s iconic Mindil Beach—a location that, for most of the year, is better known for sunset markets and lazy ocean views. Come May, though, it transforms into the Northern Territory’s biggest music hub, drawing thousands from across Australia.
Tickets for Bass in the Grass 2025 are on sale now, and given the festival’s reputation, they won’t last long. Whether you’re heading up for the music, the warm dry season weather, or just to see Amity Affliction shake up a festival better known for bangers than breakdowns, it’s shaping up to be a big one.
2025 Bass in the Grass Lineup:
- Hilltop Hoods
- The Amity Affliction
- Baby J
- Cyril
- The Dreggs
- Hope D
- Hot Dub Time Machine
- Jaded (UK)
- Jax Jones (UK)
- Jazmine Nikitta
- The Jungle Giants
- Kah-Lo (NG)
- Latifa Tee
- Luude
- Meg Mac
- Old Mervs
- The Rions
- 3%
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