Kick-ons, free festivals, campy pop tributes and more at Stay Gold

Words by Kosa Monteith

The Sydney Road haunt is hosting album launches, stand-up comedy, emo parties and more metal than you can shake a fist at.

March is looking massive for Stay Gold, with a packed schedule of live acts, DJ sets and parties. Catch the rising stars of metal alongside guilty pop pleasures and emo throwbacks, tribute nights and after-parties.

You’ll find the hottest local talent and sideshows from world tours, as well as a smattering of comedy and all-out camp celebrations of pop queens. There’s truly something for everyone here, so check out what’s on at Stay Gold in March.

Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

MISS MAY I (US)

Tuesday, March 4
Tickets here

Back in Australia for the first time since 2017, Ohio-born MISS MAY I are surging to the stage at Stay Gold and Knotfest, bringing the fury with their unique brand of melodic metalcore. Limber up and rest your voice. Screams, riffs and intense breakdowns await.

Luke Severeid (US)

Wednesday, March 5
Tickets here

Like your metal heavy and your humour light? Luke’s your guy. Luke Severeid is a plaid-wearing, metal-loving Pacific Northwest-er from Seattle, getting attention in festivals and award nods for his absurdity and fast-paced comedy – described as “unmedicated ADHD in action.”

Vended (US)

Thursday, March 6
Tickets here

Trailblazing talent Vended are smashing into the bandroom with their own fresh brand of Midwest nu-metal. They’ve toured with Bring Me The Horizon and Korn among other greats, and they’re bringing the next generation of heavy here to Stay Gold in an official Knotfest sideshow.

NEW RESIDENCE

Friday, March 7
Tickets here

Alternative hip-hop, hyperpop and internet-coded experimental takes centre stage with NEW RESIDENCE, offering five hours of music from some of Melbourne’s most exciting young talent. The lineup features SMNDIF: Lil Guthi, Stokahr, Beenstar & Coinfl1p, VALE: Dante Scar, Micah25th & Skinnyjeanz, Lust, L0ne, Bradily, Cathedryl, Slump Audios & DJ Rife, Payplastic & Starcaster, Dredd, Hugo K and DJ Derpamine.

Deftones Appreciation Night III

Friday, March 7
Tickets here

Back by popular demand, another late, late night Deftones party. Show your appreciation for genre-defying experimental heavy sound, atmospheric rock and raw emotion. And ‘appreciation’ obviously means hours of moshing.

sugarush: Lady Gaga Album Release Party

Friday, March 7
Tickets here

It’s the biggest pop event of the year, the release of Lady Gaga’s seventh album, Mayhem. For a celebration worthy of the queen, they’re hosting a deep dive into the catalogue de Gaga, featuring drag, themed cocktails and endless bangers. Just dance.

Emo AF: Still Not A Phase

With As A Rival
Saturday, March 8
Tickets here

Honour your black, broken heart with a night of Emo AF, Melbourne’s best emo and pop punk cover band. Expect to be hit in the feels, they’ll give you a show worth screaming about. Skinny jeans not mandatory, but highly recommended.

TAKING BACK SATURDAY: 9th Birthday

Saturday, March 8
Tickets here

It’s been nine solid years of Taking Back Saturday, Australia’s biggest emo and pop punk party that pops up across the country (and even NZ and the UK). Now, they’re taking this birthday party on the road, so come celebrate with a late-night rager.

The Miffs

Monday, March 9
More info here

In another dazzling Brunswick Music Festival offering, The Miffs, Arabella & The Heists, Terra Rouge and Muddy Lemons are teaming up for a night of femme-punk prowess. Expect echoes of psych rock, surf and rock ‘n’ roll – power chords and punchy vocals galore.

Sweet Pill (US)

With Bad Neighbour
Wednesday, March 12
Tickets here

Part throwback, part new wave of emo pop, Sweet Pill (from Philadelphia via New Jersey) have hit the alt scene with a revival of pared-back, early emo sound. Featuring melodic guitar and vocals, there’s still a touch of hardcore with a grunge hangover. They’re supported by indie rock group Bad Neighbour.

Nancy and The Jam Fancys

Friday, March 14
Tickets here

Coming from Moruya, NSW, Nancy and The Jam Fancys have their own take on rock and roll, part classic roadhouse energy with a hint of The Smiths (not least in the distinctive vocals). They’re on tour performing their first album, Swan Songs, which covers two years of stories and experiences of the band. Get a taste while they’re up-and-comers.

am//pm emo night: ft. Wade MacNeil (CA)

Friday, March 14
Tickets here

Wade MacNeil of Alexisonfire is in town on tour, and he’s hitting Stay Gold for a one-night-only guest DJ set. Then it’s a special set featuring am//pm and other guest DJs spinning the best of emo and punk all night long. Let’s set this after party on fire.

Balance and Composure (US)

With Glitterer
Saturday, March 15
Tickets here

A special sideshow with Balance and Composure, reunited since 2023 and touring with their emotion-fuelled fuzzy grunge rock. They’re supported by special guests Glitterer, an alt-indie rock outfit from Washington DC.

One Direction vs 5 Seconds of Summer

Saturday, March 15
Tickets here

Throwback to your rabid boy band obsession. If you ever knew the words, bought the T-shirt or cried at their concerts, this one’s for you. Indulge for a night of pop hits, dancing and screaming your heart out. Don’t stop!

A Slice Of Laughter

Sundays, March 16, 23 and 30
Tickets here

Your new chill Sunday arvo activity is here. Stay Gold is launching weekly comedy sessions to serve all your basic needs: laughs, pizza, beer and mates. Lineups are announced every week, so stay tuned.

sugarush: Lana Del Rey Night – Swamp Edition

Friday, March 21
Tickets here

Celebrate Lana’s marriage to swamp guide Jeremy Dufrene with a tribute night of themed drinks, drag and del Rey all night long. Swampy costumes encouraged.

Siren Sounds

Saturday, March 22
Tickets here

Siren Sounds is a femme-focused mini-fest of killer queens, spanning pop punk to metal. Featuring Future Static, Excuse For An Exit and Aurateque among other live acts, it then dives into an all-femme DJ lineup til close. Plus, a portion of proceeds will be donated to The Red Heart Campaign / Sherelemoodyfemicidewatch.

A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out – 20 Year Anniversary Party

With Some Heard Trouble and Long Legs
Friday, March 28
Tickets here

20 years on, is it still Panic! that makes you sweat? Get yourself to the anniversary party for a live performance of the classic album and a collection of their emo bangers. Supported by hardcore band Some Heard Trouble and soloist Long Legs.

Bring It Back – A Y2K Pop Party

Friday, March 28
Tickets here

Crack out the body glitter and juicy couture knock-offs, Bring It Back is an all-night celebration of iconic tracks of the early naughties, from pop to hip hop, the queens and kings of the charts. Throwback retro, but still so, so fresh.

Visualis

With Demonhead, Katana Cartel and Rawtism
Saturday, March 29
Tickets here

Sydney-based Visualis have been making their mark in the heavy space, and now they’re launching their album, Rites of Eclipse, with a heavy-hitting night of melodic, genre-blending metal sound, supported by epic local acts. It’s a mixed bag of all things heavy, hard and dark, with Demonhead bringing thrash-stoner-death, Katana Cartel on the heavy metal/hard rock combo and Rawtism with good old-fashioned solid thrash.

Stay up to date with all things Stay Gold on IG here.

This article was made in partnership with Stay Gold.