LOUD WOMEN FEST AUSTRALIA 2026
LOUD WOMEN, the international feminist music organisation founded in London UK, announces the return of LOUD WOMEN FEST AUSTRALIA 2026. The three-city festival will take place 21 November at Waywards Ballroom (Gadigal/Sydney), 22 November at The Bergy Bandroom (Naarm/Melbourne), and 29 November at Brightside (Meanjin/Brisbane), showcasing the most powerful women-led and gender diverse punk, rock, indie and alternative acts from Australia and around the world.
LOUD WOMEN FEST is proudly non-profit, trans-inclusive, and built to counter male-dominated festival culture by platforming women, trans and nonbinary musicians. After a sold-out Melbourne event and a massive response across 2024–2025, the festival returns bigger than ever, expanding into Brisbane for the first time.
For 2026, LOUD WOMEN is opening applications to artists worldwide to perform at one, two or all three festival dates.
Applications close June 1, 2026.
Applications are open to women, trans and non-binary musicians of all backgrounds, working across punk, indie-pop, indie-rock and alternative genres, though all styles will be considered.
Acts are paid, a full backline is provided, and artists are able to sell their own merchandise at the events.
LOUD WOMEN acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which these events take place, and strongly encourages applications from First Nations artists.
Applications are particularly encouraged from:
• women, trans and non-binary-led bands and artists
• DIY and grassroots artists
• queer artists and First Nations, Black and artists of colour
• artists actively involved in building inclusive music communities
LOUD WOMEN works closely with artists who share its ethos of community and scene-building, including promoting shows, supporting lineups and helping grow sustainable DIY networks.
Founder Cassie Fox (LOUD WOMEN UK) said:
“We’ve seen something really special growing in Australia over the past two years. The energy, the community, the bands — it’s exactly what LOUD WOMEN is about. Expanding to three cities feels like a natural next step.
This is about creating global communities, and spaces where women, trans and non-binary artists are centred, supported and celebrated. That still doesn’t happen enough in this industry, so we build it ourselves.”
Cultural significance:
The Australian music scene continues to be heavily male-dominated, particularly in festival lineups and headline slots. LOUD WOMEN FEST exists to challenge that imbalance by creating visible, international platforms for women and gender-diverse artists, while strengthening grassroots DIY scenes.
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