'Spatial acoustics' and rock festival feature in live music scene

Spring is in full swing and October is delivering one of the biggest months of live music the Illawarra has seen all year.

From the massive return of festival season with Yours & Owls to legendary international icons and cozy regional folk festivals, there is something happening in every corner of the region this month.

Grab your friends, get into the spring sunshine and support the incredible venues and artists that make our piece of the coast the place to be.

Phonehenge w/ Greg Schiemer

Friday October 2 | Gleniffer Brae | 3pm

Kick off the month with an experimental, interactive sound performance featuring mobile technology and spatial acoustics. Led by Greg Schiemer at the historic Gleniffer Brae grounds, this event invites audiences into a unique sonic landscape. Go to this if you are looking for something different.

Tickets: $10 (general registration), free (concert spectator) via Humanitix

Yours & Owls Festival 2026

Saturday & Sunday October 3-4 | Flagstaff Hill & Wollongong CBD

If you’re looking to skip the October long weekend traffic, best stay put and see world-class talent from our own backyard, as the crown jewel of Wollongong's live music calendar returns to Flagstaff Hill on Saturday before taking over the streets of Wollongong CBD on Sunday. Expect shows popping up in every nook and cranny, featuring a mammoth mix of international headliners, Australian festival favourites, and fresh homegrown talent.

Tickets: From $79.90-$349.90 via Moshtix

Toby Mobbs 'Stranger That I Know' Album Tour

Friday October 9 | Society City | 7pm

Albury-based acoustic artist Toby Mobbs brings his intricate guitar work and rich storytelling to the cozy, community-focused setting of Society City. Known for blending warm folk-pop hooks with introspective singer-songwriting, this librarian-by-day, Thirsty Merc/Josh Pyke support act-by-night presents a great show if you prefer an intimate, relaxed, sit-down gig for your Friday night on the town.

Tickets: $10 online via eventbrite or at the door.

LONGVIEW: The Green Day Tribute Show

Saturday October 10 | The Vault | 6pm

Channel your inner '90s-2000s punk kid for this tribute show at The Vault. Enjoy a night of pure Green Day nostalgia, with LONGVIEW covering everything from iconic 1994 album Dookie, plus the classics such as American Idiot. Go to this if you want to lose your voice shouting Basket Case, When I Come Around, and Holiday in a sweaty, intimate crowd.

Tickets: $35 (+$3.50 booking fee) via The Vault.

The Lazy Eyes - Cheesy Love Songs Tour

Saturday October 10 | La La La's | 7:30pm

The Sydney neo-psych prodigies are bringing their dreamy, mesmerising live set to Globe Lane. With their 2022 debut album SongBook garnering comparisons to Aussie sound-masters Tame Impala and King Gizzard, this show introduces second album Cheesy Love Songs, citing influences from Amy Winehouse and the Beach Boys. Go to this if you want to catch a summer chill in a wave of lush psychedelic rock. 

Tickets: $29.57 via Moshtix

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

Tuesday October 13 | Anita's Theatre, Thirroul | 7pm

In what is guaranteed to be one of the most talked-about midweek shows of the year, psych-rock giants King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard slither into Anita's Theatre. Known for their genre-shifting discography and explosive live energy, catching this band in a formal theatre setting will be an unforgettable experience, so grab your tickets ASAP.

Tickets: $120 via Ticketmaster

Southern Illawarra Music Festival

Wednesday & Thursday October 14-15 | University of Wollongong

Celebrating the next generation of local musical talent, the festival showcases hundreds of primary and high school students from across the region. Featuring choral performances, instrumental ensembles and band showcases, this community event is a heartwarming testament to the Illawarra's thriving grassroots music culture.

Tickets: $30 (child) $40 (ages 12+) via trybooking

Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival

Friday - Sunday October 16-18 | Osborne Park Kangaroo Valley Showground

If you're after a weekend getaway, take an ocean drive down the road to this beautiful festival. Spanning three days across multiple stages, the event features a warm mix of acoustic storytelling, traditional and contemporary folk, poetry, and bush dances in a homely location not too far from home. Perfect for families and folk-heads alike.

Tickets: $95 (Saturday, daytime), $75 (Saturday night), $135 (Saturday full), $80 (Sunday), $110 (day tripper), $198 (full weekend adult) via Humanitix

Don McLean: American Pie 55th Anniversary Tour

Sunday October 18 | Anita's Theatre, Thirroul | 7pm

The legendary Don McLean brings his 55th anniversary tour to Thirroul for a monumental Sunday evening. Performing timeless classics such as Vincent (Starry, Starry Night), Crying and the anthem American Pie, this show offers a rare opportunity to see a true American songwriting icon in an intimate venue.

Tickets: from $116.99 via Ticketmaster

The Whitlams: Return to Rock Island

Sunday October 18 | Scarborough Wombarra Bowling Club | 4pm

Cap off your Sunday with sunset ocean views and classic Aussie indie-rock as Tim Freedman and The Whitlams take on Scarborough Bowlo. Performing timeless hits such as No Aphrodisiac and Blow Up the Pokies alongside fresh material, the band will make this outdoor afternoon session the ideal way to warm up a October weekend on the coast.

Tickets: $30 (child), $75 (16+) via moshtix

Jet: The Rumblin' Regional Revue w/ Liquid Zoo

Friday October 23 | Waves (Towradgi Beach Hotel) | 8pm

In yet another gig for October’s bill full of certified rock royalty, Jet are hitting Towradgi on their massive regional revue. Bringing huge stadium-sized anthems such as Are You Gonna Be My Girl, Cold Hard Bitch and Look What You've Done to your local pub, the band will make this Friday night show one for the ages. Grab tickets before it sells out.

Tickets: $69.90 via Moshtix

Red Hot Summer Tour: Berry

Saturday October 24 | Berry Showground

Take a road trip south for the Red Hot Summer, featuring a stacked line-up with Australian Crawl (first performance in 40 years), Men at Work, Bird of Tokyo, Vika & Linda, Eskimo Joe and more. 

Tickets: From $173.14 via Live Nation

Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers ‘GLORY’ w/ IVY (NZ) + Chelsea Daghita

Saturday October 24 | UOW UniBar | 7pm

Canberra punk-pop powerhouses Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers bring their infectious riffs and unapologetic energy to the UOW UniBar. Off the back of massive national tours and festival appearances, this show is a must-see for anyone who loves high-energy indie-punk.

Tickets: $46.39 via Moshtix

Coming up in November

• Tapestry: The Carole King Experience (November 1 @ Anita's Theatre): A loving tribute celebrating the legendary album Tapestry and the timeless songwriting of Carole King.
• Thirroul Music Festival & Thirroul Open Street Festival (November 28): A major celebration of local arts, live music, community stalls and coastal culture across Thirroul.
• Simon Tedeschi (November 7 @ Wombarra): World-renowned classical pianist Simon Tedeschi delivers an extraordinary afternoon performance by the ocean.