Waterfront Festival 2026 is set to deliver an unforgettable soundtrack by the bay.
Headlining the festival is much-loved Australian indie outfit Hockey Dad, joined by crowd favourites Jack Botts and Gordi, bringing big melodies and laid-back summer vibes to the waterfront.
Across the two days, audiences can also enjoy standout performances from Sunshine and Disco Faith Choir, John Course, The Gnomes, Cool Out Sun, Sunday Lemonade, Ruby Mae, DJ Cooper Smith and Sundance, creating the perfect mix of live bands and DJs from day through to night.
Set times and full performance schedule to be announced soon.
What began as something to do while there was no surf has become so much more for Zach Stephenson and Billy Fleming aka Hockey Dad. In 2013 the two, who have been friends since early childhood started jamming in their parent’s garage because there were no waves. With Zach on guitar/ vocals and Billy behind the drum kit the two quickly progressed to writing their own songs and had a set together to start playing some shows locally across Wollongong. Ten years on and Hockey Dad now have an EP, four full length albums and a live record under their belt and have headlined tours across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Canada, the USA and UK as well as played main stage sets at some of the worlds biggest festivals. In the process the duo have earned themselves gold and platinum records in Australia, two top 10 chart positions and a loyal set of fans that have sold out shows at some of music's most iconic venues. Their fourth album ‘Rebuild Repeat’ marks a turning point in the boy’s sound and has been praised as their most impressive release to date. They will be touring worldwide in support of this release so keep an eye out for dates in a city near you.
Jack Botts has built a dedicated global audience over the past five years, with his laid-back yet deeply personal brand of surf-folk resonating worldwide. His heartfelt storytelling and breezy melodies have led to over 100 million streams and headlining over 100 shows across North America, Europe, the UK, Australia since 2024.
Speaking about his latest EP ‘Home Days’, Jack shared: “I’ve spent most of my 20s constantly on the move, traveling and touring all over the place—and I’ve loved every minute of it! But early in 2024, I had a rare window of time back in Australia. It had been a while since I just stopped, sat down, and fully embraced home. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed the little things—surf checks, the sound of native birds, quiet mornings at local cafés, time in the water, the sun, the silence, and of course, moments with friends and family. It felt so nice. Right then and there, I knew these days are the best. Home days.”
His easy-listening style continues to captivate audiences, earning him support slots alongside Myles Smith, Tash Sultana, JP Saxe, Ocean Alley, and Boy & Bear, while also lighting up major festival stages like Cigale Festival (CAN), Wanderer (AUS), Boardmasters (UK), Maifeld Derby (GER), Electric Castle (ROM), and Latitude Festival (UK). Now, with Home Days, he invites listeners to pause, breathe, and appreciate the beauty of the everyday.
An award-winning and beloved Aussie export with tens of millions of streams to her name, Gordi has an impressive history, including two full-length album releases and collaborations with Troye Sivan, Bon Iver, Ben Bohmer, Julien Baker and more. The documentation of her journey through self-discovery, sexuality and identity shines through on albums Reservoir and Our Two Skins, the latter of which was recognised with an AIR Award and nominated for an ARIA and two J Awards.
Sunshine and Disco Faith Choir
2016 saw the sun beam through the windows, while the music raised the hands of the masses and the hearts of revellers lit up in gold. It was the time Sunshine and Disco Faith Choir came into the world with open arms and voices, to change the way the people rejoiced. Born in Melbourne, with a dream to impact the world, the Disco Faith Choir was the blessing of Sunshine- one of the city’s renowned DJ and producers, who was raised on the dancefloor and found community on the dancefloor. Her music has spread to the masses over the last two decades, from soul moving house music and disco to the depths of the techno hues dance floor devotees love and adore. With a desire to unite anthemic club tracks with uplifting gospel and soul vocals, Sunshine took to the streets endeavouring to bring her studio output to life with the grandiose affections of a choir.
Having been part of the house music since its emergence in Australia, John first came to prominence by winning the Victorian leg of the DMC turntablist competition… A feat he repeated two years in a row!!! Moving from turntablist roots, he embraced house music from the start and was listed in DJ Mag’s first ever Top 100 Global DJ’s list, going on to start a successful music label, produce original music, have a nation-wide dance music radio show & hosting his own webcast for over sixty Saturday nights, during the Covid-19 isolation period…
John’s now legendary Good Friday 8 Hour Session, numerous MOS Classical and Testament Tours, support gigs with Glitterbox in Australia, plus the massive Reminisce event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, all further enhance his DJ reputation. Add to that numerous corporate entities including the Victorian Racing Club’s spring racing carnival and The Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix regularly see him playing DJ sets at various stages or marquees. John holds monthly residencies at Melbourne club
Electric, iconic club Poof Doof, and plays regular guest spots at clubs like 161, Sky Disco and various one off’s nation wide.
The Gnomes are four young men - aged in their late teens and early 20s - who have emerged out of the Bayside Melbourne outer suburb of Frankston with a vibrant big beat sound that combines echoes of early Beatles, Kinks and Easybeats with the freshness and authenticity of a genuinely homegrown and NOW punk/indie-rock sound. On the back of their new debut album – a 3RRR Album of the Week – coverage in international press including Creem, Mojo and Shindig, a spot in the Age/Sydney Morning Herald’s 25 Best New Aussie Artists of 2025 feature and a run of crowd-winning live performances, The Gnomes are set to take on the world.
Since their conception, Cool Out Sun have been turning heads all over the country from their 2018 debut single "Fire For (Fire Four)" to their sophomore release A LION IS A LION voted #10 on Double J radio’s top 50 albums of 2024 to their live show with their stunning visuals that have had living rooms and venues turn dance floor.
The release of their highly anticipated albums led to international radio play, festival bookings at WOMAD and Port Fairy Folk Festival, Melbourne International Jazz, Strawberry Fields, Melbourne International Food and Wine, New Years On The Hill, Ocean Sounds among many others, and multiple Music Victoria Award nominations.
Cool Out Sun is a creative project composed of the super powers that are N'fa Jones, Sensible J, with Nui Moon, Lamine Sonko, and friends displaying the groups creative diversity and freedom with beats provocative, lyrics powerfully imaginative, and culture shared in song. The collective invite a range of artist's influences including percussionists, Neda Rahmani, Kwame Tosuma, rising MC – Bilalli and more to collaborate during live shows, diversifying an ever changing line up, and seasonal soundscape in World/Roots/Afro/Hip Hop music.
Named the ‘People’s Choice’ at Tamworth Country Music Festival 2024, infectious indie folk & roots duo Sunday Lemonade have created a fizz amongst crowds across Australia since hitting the road in 2018. With a splash of heartfelt folk, a dash of powerful rock and a squeeze of riffin’ roots the bubbly pair are the refreshing rom-com drink you didn’t know you needed!
Melbourne artist and Wiradjuri woman Ruby Mae, blends nostalgia with a fresh perspective, cementing her place as a dynamic force in the Australian music industry. Drawing comparisons to Missy Higgins, Paul Kelly and Powderfinger, 2025 was a breakthrough year with the release of her debut album "Baby", recorded with ARIA winning producer Stephen Mowat. Singles "Keeper", "Hurricane" & "Dickhead", all had extended airtime across Triple M, Triple J and charted abroad in the US.
Ruby's 2025 success was followed up by winning Triple J's My Sis Competition, and being selected for Mushroom Record's First Nation's Program. Her appearance at Waterfront is in the middle of an exciting run of festival shows, having wrapped Queenscliff Music Festival at the end of 2025 and being set to perform at St Kilda fest 2026.
Melbourne-based DJ and producer, Cooper Smith, is known for his energy and unwavering passion. With a deep love for music, Cooper possesses the remarkable ability to connect with his audience using his art to communicate and inspire.
In the studio, Cooper's focus is on creating music that evokes powerful emotions and an intimate connection with his listeners. With each track, he aims to infuse a euphoric vibe that resonates with the dance floor, creating an unforgettable experience for all those in attendance.
What sets Cooper apart is not only his immense musical talent but also his indomitable spirit and determination. As a proud individual with a disability, he defies any limitations that come his way. Despite the challenges of controlling his muscles, Cooper has created his own unique path as a DJ, showcasing his authenticity and proving that true passion knows no boundaries.
Cooper had his Festival Debut in 2023, playing Ability Fest in March. Played at venues around Australia such as Revolver Upstairs, Pawn & Co, The Wickham &more.
Inspired by the rhythm and romance of Ibiza, Melbourne-based DJ SUNDANCE curates
soundtracks that seamlessly weave golden hours and deep, late-night moods. Blending deep house, afro house, melodic and indie dance influences, he draws from tastemakers like Hot Since 82, &ME, and Franky Wah to create uplifting, emotive journeys on every dancefloor. Since debuting in 2023, SUNDANCE has secured residencies at iconic Melbourne haunts Pawn & Co and Electric, won the Bounce x Movement DJ Competition, and supported international Afro House heavyweights like Francis Mercier and Nitefreak. A graduate of the Pete Tong DJ Academy and curator of a golden-hour YouTube series with over 31 thousand
subscribers and 7.1 million views, SUNDANCE is fast becoming one of Australia’s rising names in the melodic house scene.
Keeping the energy flowing between live sets on Saturday, Jackson Marshall will be on the decks throughout the day, soundtracking artist changeovers on the main stage. If you’ve spent a day session or a late night anywhere along Davey Street or Nepean Highway, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Jackson Marshall: whether behind the
decks, holding court at the bar, or welcoming you at a venue door. An ARIA Club DJ and long-time local legend, Jackson’s energy and infectious love of dance music have powered residencies across Melbourne from Sorrento to South Yarra, including Circus, The Deck est. 2013, and Pier Bandroom. As the creator of Flashback Events, he’s on a mission to revive the magic of the dancefloor: bringing together community, chaos, and connection through disco, house, and all things
funky.