BASS BY THE BEACH
Darwin’s about to get loud – and busy! – as thousands of music lovers descend upon Mindil Beach for the 2026 BASSINTHEGRASS Music Festival, boasting a stellar line-up of national and international acts for one tropical day of tunes by the beach.
WORDS TIERNEY WHITE
BEACH, BEATS, SUNSHINE, Dry season feels, and tropical vibes. Dream scenario.
BASSINTHEGRASS Music Festival has long been a rite of passage for many a music lover since its inception back in 2003. Presented by the Northern Territory Government via Tourism and Events NT (formerly NT Major Events), it’s grown to be the massive festival it is today, with thousands of locals and visitors rocking up to relish those BASS vibes.
BASS, as it’s affectionally referred to, moved from its birthplace at Darwin Amphitheatre to the Mindil Beach site in 2019 after organisers recognised the need to expand after constant sell-outs, literally tripling the capacity.
It was pretty good timing, too.
As the pandemic shut down festivals across the country, the 2020 festival was postponed ‘til later in the year, then cancelled, due to obvious reasons. With the rest of the country still impacted by hot spots and lockdowns, the 2021 iteration went ahead, attracting a new slew of punters from lands beyond, desperate to bust a boog at a music festival.
Thus, BASS broke the ice as the first major music festival to roll out during the pandemic days, placing it squarely on the radars of music fans from across the country, with many returning in the years since.
Tourism and Events NT CEO Suzana Bishop said the event isn’t just a flex on the line-up it attracts, but on Darwin itself.
“BASSINTHEGRASS showcases Darwin at its very best. The line-up we have for the 2026 festival rivals any music festival in the country. It’s a cherished and favourite event amongst locals, and it is a major drawcard for visitors.”
In the past, BASSINTHEGRASS exclusively programmed Aussie acts, but branched out in recent years to include international acts, with Macklemore kicking things off in 2024. That said, homegrown talent is still at the heart of BASS, the combination of Aussie and international talent making the 2026 line-up a biggie.
International headline acts include rapper Denzel Curry (USA) and Galantis (Sweden), with AYYBO (USA), Venjent (UK), Morty (UK), JessB (NZ), and Oktae (KR) also appearing on the bill.
The well-repped homegrown line-up includes headliners, and Aussie music legends, The Living End, who are in good company with Anna Lunoe, Ball Park Music, G Flip, In Hearts Wake, Kita Alexander, Kobie Dee, Mallrat, Maple’s Pet Dinosaur, Ninajirachi, Nina Las Vegas, Peking Duk, Playlunch, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, and The Teskey Brothers. Keeping it fresh, over 50 percent of the 2026 line-up play BASS for the first time.
Electronic duo Peking Duk, Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles, have returned several times since their first appearance in 2014. Styles says it’s not a hard sell to get them back.
“We’ll always remember popping our BITG cherry. It was 40 degrees, insanely humid, and our mates were breakdancing in the blazing afternoon sun. We met our idol Chris Cheney [from The Living End], then spent 45 minutes in a mobile beer fridge after our set. That was 2014, easily one of the funnest, biggest shows we’d ever played,” he says.
“Since then, BITG has levelled up every single year. It’s now over three times the size and a true institution in Australian music. We can’t wait to be back and throw it down in Darwin.”
Territory talent hits the stage, too, with an open call for Territory musos going out for a crack at getting in front of potentially thousands of new fans. Entries have now closed, attracting a record number of submissions from across the Territory. One of last year’s selected artists, Crystal Robins, who performed with her band The Wildfires, says the experience was a huge opportunity.
“I didn't expect to be chosen, but it was just so cool – just for a local band to get a spot on that big stage and in a big line-up, in Darwin's biggest music festival. It's a really great opportunity – we don't get very often to share a line-up with bands and artists from all around the country. And, also, to play on a stage with a very professional set-up, see what happens behind the scenes at a big festival like that,” she says.
“… And the other side of it is, I guess, that being a small community, there are towns for local bands to get up. I don't know if local bands on other big states get to do that … it gives you a bit more credibility when trying to apply for other festivals.”
The final wave of general admission tickets are on sale now, with some premium options available if you’re keen to get bougie with private bars, extra seating, and air-conditioned toilets. Told ya, fancy stuff.
No matter which way you choose to experience this much-loved music festival, one thing’s for sure – the BASS is turned up to the max. And, you’re gonna dance.
BASSINTHEGRASS
WHEN SAT 16 MAY | 2PM-LATE
AT MINDIL BEACH
COST $135-$350
INFO bassinthegrass.com.au
