Australian rock festival Wanstock is set to deliver its most ambitious edition yet, expanding to two days of classic rock and emerging talent in March 2025.
The festival, which has grown from humble beginnings as organiser Geoff Wansbrough’s birthday celebration, will take over the Shoppingtown Hotel in Doncaster for back-to-back nights of rock nostalgia and fresh faces.
The 2025 lineup features heavyweight headliners including Baby Animals, The Babys, and Mi-Sex, alongside a carefully curated mix of established and emerging artists, marking the festival’s biggest edition since its 2018 inception.
Wanstock 2025
- Friday 14 March 2025 – Shoppingtown Hotel, Doncaster VIC
- Saturday 15 March 2025 – Shoppingtown Hotel, Doncaster VIC
- Grab tickets to Wanstock here.
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Baby Animals lead strong Friday lineup
Australian hard rock royalty Baby Animals will headline the festival’s opening night. The band, which exploded onto the scene in 1991 with their self-titled debut album, has maintained their reputation as one of Australia’s most powerful live acts. Their debut release not only topped the Australian charts but also earned them three ARIA Awards in 1992, including Album of the Year, Breakthrough Artist – Album and Breakthrough Artist – Single for Early Warning.
Following their initial success, the band released their gold-certified sophomore album, Shaved and Dangerous, which debuted at number 2 in Australia and earned them an ARIA nomination for Best Group. After performances alongside Extreme and Robert Plant, the band took a break in early 1996, returning triumphantly in 2007. Their subsequent releases include Il Grande Silenzio in 2008 and This Is Not the End in 2013. Most recently, they’ve been thrilling audiences on the Red Hot Summer Tour alongside Suzi Quatro and Cheap Trick, with 2025 already promising more high-profile appearances including shows with ZZ Top, The Living End and Rose Tattoo.
The Babys celebrate 50 years with rare Australian appearance
Saturday’s headline spot belongs to British rock veterans The Babys, who mark their 50th anniversary in 2025. The London-formed outfit brings decades of arena anthems to Australian shores in a rare appearance. Their extensive catalogue includes classics like Isn’t It Time, Every Time I Think Of You, Back On My Feet Again, Midnight Rendezvous and Head First.
Since forming in London in 1975, The Babys have weathered lineup changes, a brief 80s hiatus, and the ever-changing music industry landscape. Their 2014 album, I’ll Have Some of That!, marked a triumphant return, leading to numerous headline shows and festival appearances across America. Their most recent performance supporting Rick Springfield at Central Plaza in Fort Dodge demonstrated their enduring power as live performers.
Mi-Sex brings new wave energy
New Zealand new wave pioneers Mi-Sex join Saturday’s lineup, bringing their razor-sharp production and high-energy performances to Wanstock for the first time.
The band’s impressive track record includes multiple top 10 singles, with 1979’s Computer Games reaching number 1 in Australia and 1980’s People hitting number 6 in Australia and number 3 in New Zealand.
Their studio albums, including 1979’s Graffiti Crimes and 1980’s Space Race, both achieved platinum certification in Australia.
Ted Mulry Gang returns triumphant
Ted Mulry Gang returns to Wanstock for their third appearance, following headline performances in 2020 and 2024. The band’s 1975 smash Jump In My Car spent 11 weeks at number 1 on the Australian charts, notably becoming the first Australian act to displace ABBA from the top spot. Their pub rock credentials extend through classics like Darktown Strutters Ball, Crazy and My Little Girl.
The lineup is completed by several emerging acts. Melbourne power trio Standing Room Only returns for their second consecutive Wanstock appearance, bringing their dynamic blend of originals and covers that has been winning audiences since 2017. Alternative punks Day Dreamers add a fresh perspective with their 90s-influenced sound, while Melbourne rockers Rattlincane are set to demonstrate why they’ve become known for their powerful live performances.
From birthday bash to rock institution
Festival founder Geoff Wansbrough has nurtured Wanstock from a personal celebration into a significant fixture on the Australian rock calendar. The festival’s original spark came from the golden era of Australian pub rock, when venues across the country served as launching pads for future international stars.
Since its 2018 debut at the Burvale Hotel, Wanstock has hosted an impressive roster of Australian rock legends including Dragon, The Kevin Borich Express, Spectrum, Hush, and The Black Sorrows. The festival’s move to the Shoppingtown Hotel in 2019 has allowed it to continue growing while maintaining its commitment to showcasing both established acts and emerging talent.
The expansion to two days comes as a natural evolution. “It was getting too much of a struggle to fit all the bands on one day,” Wansbrough explains. “With such great acts as The Babys in Australia for the first time in a very long time, and the hard rocking Baby Animals, it will be an unforgettable couple of nights.”
The festival continues to honor three core principles: celebrating classic bands of yesteryear, providing opportunities for emerging talent, and ensuring everyone has a good time. As Wanstock enters its seventh year, its growth from birthday party to two-day festival demonstrates the enduring appeal of Australia’s rock heritage and its bright future.
Grab tickets to Wanstock here.
This article was made in partnership with Wanstock.
