Uncle Kutcha Edwards, Cash Savage & The Last Drinks, Maddy Jane and more turn up the volume in Launceston this September.
Junction Arts Festival is back for its 15th year, and to celebrate its impressive longevity, it will run an expanded, two-weekend music program from September 12-21. Launceston’s Prince’s Square will host loads of great live acts and art, and the best part is that a ticket to any festival day event also gets you free entry to the music program that night (Sunday’s completely free too).
The days will be filled with a range of immersive art installations, dance performances, comedy, circus acts and loads more, and the nights will be for the music. Let’s take a look at who you can catch on the live stages during Junction Arts down in Launnie this year.
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Opening night at The Fountain Pavilion
Saturday, September 13, kicks things off with Uncle Kutcha Edwards, Cash & The Last Drinks fresh off their recent European run, Christopher Coleman & The Soft Knees Band, who are taking a quick break from being in writing mode and Clay Maynard. The opening ceremony will be provided by TARABA CLAN as well.
#youngtion
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The first of the free Sundays, September 14, belongs to the next generation with #youngtion, the festival’s platform for emerging musicians aged 14-18. This year’s theme is Fog, inspired by those misty Tamar Valley mornings. This dreamy, atmospheric showcase of raw talent is non-competitive, inclusive, and exactly the kind of thing that makes Junction special. See the next batch of acts to watch here first.
Thursday night done right
Thursday nights aren’t always just for Netflix and takeaway. September 18 sees Maddy Jane with a hometown headline, joined by Racoon Dog’s Americana-blues fusion, Glass Media fresh off their Preatures support and Walnut Grove. This one is also completely free so that’s one less excuse to miss it.
Boundary pushers and genre benders
Friday, September 19, sees Medhanit return home fresh from touring with PNAU and Holy Holy, ready to blow minds with eclectic conversations about identity, love, and what it means to be human in 2025. FFLORA x Grace Chia’s improvisational hip-hop, Kurt Rainbow’s not-quite-funk, and VIVID’s hyperactive disco tantrum will round out the bill and make sure that this is super far from your normal Friday night in the best way possible.
Saturday night is for rock and roll
Recover from the weird and get ready for the rock on Saturday, September 20, with Turtle Skull, who will arrive from the Northern Rivers with their psych-drenched, crushing riffs wrapped in velvet and lush harmonies. They will be supported by GAS THIEF’s big hooks and bigger egos and nine-piece Cumbia powerhouse XIXA, who will make sure we have some horns and rhythms to keep everything in good balance. This one is for the dancers.
The Sunday wind-down
The closing (and once again, free) day of the festival brings in some hometown royalty. The Embers have been Launceston’s favourites for over a decade, and they’re celebrating ten years since their iconic album Bright. Their reggae-funk-dance fusion will sit perfectly alongside
Woolton’s dark country twang to make sure this double-weekend celebratory extravaganza finishes itself off just right. Kicking off at 3pm, this will be the Sunday session you need.
The Park Stage
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Throughout all of this radness, the Park Stage will offer a more intimate experience, showcasing Tasmania’s musical diversity. From the folk harmonies of Sparrowgrass to the genre-bending sets from Aaron Hopper & Yyan Ng, it’s your soundtrack for wandering the festival grounds and enjoying some much-needed chill time. This is a great way to discover something new as you catch sets from Magic Carpet, honmono no gaijin, Hailey Diane, Raspberry Terrapin, and Tessa Lee & The Cold Weather Band.
Junction Arts Festival runs from 12-14 + 18-21 September 2025, in Prince’s Square, Elizabeth & St John St, Launceston. Tickets are available for all events now.
This article was made in partnership with Junction Arts Festival.
