Music lovers: get ready for a solid month of live gold

November brings a massive line-up of live music in the run-up to summer across every corner of the Illawarra. Whether you’re keen on a nostalgic Sunday arvo singalong in Thirroul, sweat-drenched indie-punk down Globe Lane or an early festive show in Port Kembla, our venues are delivering the goods every weekend.

TISM: No Mistakes Tour w/ Totally Unicorn & Ashpit

Friday November 6 | UOW UniBar | 6:30pm

Melbourne’s masked alt-rock provocateurs TISM are heading to campus on their No Mistakes tour, promising dance-rock rhythms and chaotic energy. The band is joined by Wollongong’s favourite metalcore band Totally Unicorn and synth-punk legends Ashpit. This will be an absolute riot of a Friday night.

Tickets: $130 via Moshtix

Hands Like Houses w/ special guests

Friday November 6 | Waves (Towradgi Beach Hotel) | 7pm

Canberra’s post-hardcore mainstays Hands Like Houses return to regional NSW for their first local visit in seven years. Fresh off their chart-topping EP LÓTUS, the band is bringing their biggest anthems alongside a recharged, heavy live show to TBH. A solid Friday night out for patient fans looking for a treat.

Tickets: $50.98 via Moshtix

Ian Moss & Troy Cassar-Daley: Together Alone Tour

Friday November 6 | Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul | 7:30pm

Two giants of Australian music unite for a double-header in Thirroul. With acoustic guitars and decades of shared touring history, Cold Chisel guitar legend Ian Moss and country icon Troy Cassar-Daley strip back their catalogues for an evening of pub rock, blues, bush ballads and storytelling. Grab tickets early for this one.

Tickets: From $100.82 via Ticketmaster

Big Day Shout

Saturday November 7 | UOW | 7pm

Dust off your Nirvana T-shirts, cargo shorts and bucket hats for a throwback to '90s and 2000s festival culture. Big Day Shout brings Australia’s only tribute show celebrating the golden age nostalgia of Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine, Silverchair, The Prodigy, Blink-182, Muse and the Foo Fighters. Go to this if you want to work up a sweat and experience the good ol’ days your parents always talk about. 

Tickets: From $34.66 via Moshtix

Sweetie: Dogtooth album tour

Sunday November 8 | The Servo, Port Kembla | 4pm

Sydney outfit Sweetie bring their sharp, feral and politically charged brand of gothic post-punk to Wentworth Street in support of debut album Dogtooth. This afternoon set is the perfect Sunday escape for anyone who likes their indie and punk with plenty of teeth.

Tickets: $23.46 via Moshtix

Katchafire w/ Mike Love (USA)

Thursday November 12 | Waves (Towradgi Beach Hotel) | 8pm

Maori roots-reggae royalty Katchafire make their way to Towradgi for an early weekend warm-up. With Hawaii’s reggae-soul rocker Mike Love also on the bill, fans of island groove are promised the perfect coastal gig to welcome summer. 

Tickets: From $66.27 via Moshtix

The Wolfe Brothers: Australian Made Tour

Saturday November 14 | The Oaks Hotel, Albion Park Rail | 7:30pm

Multi-Golden Guitar winners and ARIA chart-toppers The Wolfe Brothers are heading south to Albion Park Rail. Touring on the back of their Australian Made record, the Tasmanian brothers bring an energetic, big-chorus blend of country rock and arena energy to the pub.

Tickets: $54.90 via Oztix 

Le Shiv: Yada Yada album tour w/ Warbaby & LSF

Saturday November 14 | La La La’s | 7:30pm

Indie-rockers Le Shiv land in Globe Lane on their Yada Yada biggest tour yet. Celebrating the release of their highly anticipated, seven-years-in-the-works debut album, Le Shiv is supported by Wollongong's instrumental funkadelic project Warbaby, and local '90s nostalgic alt-rockers LSF for a stacked Saturday night. It's a no-brainer if you’re looking to get among the inner-city weekend bustle.

Tickets: From $34.66 via Moshtix

Men At Work: 2026 Australian Tour

Tuesday November 17 | Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul | 8pm

Colin Hay leads his acclaimed group back to Thirroul to revisit the catalogue of Australia’s Grammy-winning new wave export. Expect all the unmistakable saxophone riffs and iconic singalongs of Down Under, Overkill and Who Can It Be Now? delivered in the South Coast’s most picturesque theatre.

Tickets: $101.79 via Ticketmaster

San Cisco: Miles Away tour

Friday November 27 | UOW UniBar | 7pm

Fremantle indie-pop mainstays San Cisco make their return to the UniBar stage, promising vibrant party vibes and summery grooves. Catch this Friday night boogie if you’re serious about 2016 nostalgia and you’ve waited a decade to hear Too Much Time Together, About You or the youth-defining track Awkward.

Tickets: $56.58 via Moshtix

Mick Thomas: GoChristmasComeBack tour w/ Norwood

Friday November 27 | The Servo, Port Kembla | 6pm

Weddings Parties Anything frontman Mick Thomas makes his beloved annual festive pilgrimage to Port Kembla. Accompanied by Melbourne folk duo Norwood, Mick’s Christmas shows are all about tradition, storytelling, community and raising a cold can with mates. A relaxed, warm Friday night backyard session.

Tickets: $44.12 via Moshtix

Thirroul Music Festival 2026

Saturday November 28 | Multiple Venues across Thirroul | From 12pm

Returning for its 6th annual iteration, the Thirroul Music Festival takes over community halls, pubs and cafes for a seaside celebration of indie, folk and Americana. This year offers a stellar line-up including Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Shady Nasty, Henry Wagons, Field Commander Ali, Jess Beck and Earth Wind & Choir, plus plenty more. Combined with the Thirroul Open Street Festival celebrations, it’s one of the biggest village events of the season.

Tickets: From $65.15 via Moshtix

Viva Las Xmas: A Night of Elvis Magic

Saturday November 28 | Diamond Dogs Music Lounge, Dapto | 6pm

Dapto’s favourite hidden live music hideaway gets into the holiday swing with a rock 'n' roll Christmas tribute. Packed with rhinestones, vintage rockabilly and holiday cheer, catch an all-out homage to the king of rock 'n' roll. The closest you’ll get to The Parkes Elvis Festival without sweating the Central West heat.

Tickets: $55 via Humanitix

Coming up in early December

• SAFIA (Friday December 4 @ Anita’s Theatre): Synth-heavy electronic indie anthems in Thirroul.
• The Gospel Project: A Christmas Special (Saturday December 5 @ UOW UniBar): Jamey Foxton and Lucy Sugerman bring old gospel classics and carols to the UniBar.
• The Wallflowers (Saturday December 5 @ Anita’s Theatre): Jakob Dylan brings classic '90s alt-rock and roots storytelling to the coast.