Frankston's live music scene just got a serious upgrade. Waterfront Festival returns with Hockey Dad, Gordi, a gospel choir and fireworks over the bay.
Hockey Dad headlines the bill, joined by folktronica artist Gordi and Byron Bay-raised singer-songwriter Jack Botts. Melbourne dance music veterans Sunshine and Disco Faith Choir and John Course (who has history with Frankston’s music scene stretching back to the 1990s) bring the club energy, while local garage rockers The Gnomes rep the hometown. Cool Out Sun, Sunday Lemonade, Ruby Mae, DJ Cooper Smith and Sundance round out the lineup across both days.
The acclaimed festival has just secured a $95,000 grant through Revive Live, an Australian Government initiative, on top of Frankston City Council’s existing major events contribution. The cash injection means more money going directly into the pockets of Australian artists performing across the two-day free festival on 6-7 February.
The grant is specifically earmarked for performance fees, creating pathways for both established and emerging musicians while bringing a diverse mix of original Australian talent to the waterfront. It’s also funding large LED screens on the main stage, improving sightlines for punters and delivering real-time accessibility info, safety messaging and program updates throughout the weekend.
Add carnival rides, food trucks, a garden bar, an open water swim and fireworks over the bay, and you’ve got yourself a weekend.
Frankston’s own music scene gets a serious spotlight across the weekend, with local talent and artists who cut their teeth in the area sharing the stage with the headliners. Here’s what you need to know about the strong local lineup.
Waterfront Festival 2026
- When: Friday 6 February, 5pm-10pm / Saturday 7 February, 12pm-9.30pm
- Where: Frankston Waterfront
- Cost: Free
- More info: waterfrontfestival.com.au
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
John Course
The DMC champion who helped launch Madison Avenue, Peking Duk and Dirty South
John Course has been part of Melbourne’s dance music scene since the late 1980s, when he won the Victorian DMC mixing competition two years running. Course cut his teeth on the decks in Frankston alongside future Vicious Recordings co-founders Andy Van and Colin Daniels, and the trio’s label is still going strong decades later. Vicious are responsible for early releases from Madison Avenue, Rogue Traders, Peking Duk, Dirty South and Avicii, while his compilation mixes have sold over a million copies, and he spent seven years hosting dance music radio on the Nova Network. These days he still holds residencies around Melbourne, including his marathon Good Friday sessions.
DJ Cooper Smith
The Seaford local who taught himself to DJ on an iPad and ended up at Beyond the Valley
Seaford’s Cooper Smith started DJing at 16 with nothing but an iPad app and a lot of late-night practice sessions. Living with cerebral palsy hasn’t slowed him down one bit – the 20-year-old Afro house and house DJ has since shared stages with Gorgon City, Eli & Fur, Torren Foot and Airwolf Paradise, and held down sets at Revolver, Beyond the Valley, Australian Open and Ability Fest. With support from The Purpose Project and mentors including producer Tom Evans, Smith has carved out a reputation for sets that bring serious energy and undeniable vibe to any room he plays.
The Gnomes
The Frankston garage rockers reviving the 60s beat and catching ears from Mojo to Creem
Frankston’s rock and roll scene has been quietly brewing something special, and The Gnomes are the proof. The four-piece emerged from the suburb’s Singing Bird rehearsal hub with a sound that bridges the Cavern Club and Nuggets-era garage, drawing comparisons to The Easybeats, early Beatles and The Kinks. Their self-titled debut album landed as 3RRR’s Album of the Week and earned rave reviews from international outlets including Mojo, Creem and Shindig, while The Age and Sydney Morning Herald named them among the 25 Best New Aussie Artists of 2025. Signed to revived Melbourne label Dog Meat Records, the band has already shared stages with Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Cosmic Psychos, Skegss and Hockey Dad – and if their packed Brunswick Ballroom album launch was any indication, they’re only just getting started.
Swims, sunbeds and carnival rides
Cool Out Sun, Sunday Lemonade, Ruby Mae and Sundance round out the bill, keeping things moving between the headline sets across both days.
Saturday kicks off early with the Frankston Swim Classic, offering 400m, 1.2km and 2.5km open water courses plus a kids beach run. The Carlsberg Beach Club sets up at the pier with sunbeds, cocktails and a menu running from lobster rolls to fish and chips. Back on the main site, carnival rides and food trucks fill out the foreshore before fireworks close out Saturday night.
For more information, head here.
This article was made in partnership with Frankston City Council.
