Sydney’s iconic Opera House Forecourt is gearing up for its biggest summer concert series yet, with Rise Against, Wolf Alice, DMA’S, The Amity Affliction, Spacey Jane and more preparing to take over the waterfront stage.
Returning for its fifth year, On The Steps will deliver 12 nights of live music between Saturday, 28th November and Saturday, 12th December 2026, with an expanded capacity of up to 7,000 music lovers per show.
Presented by Live Nation, the series will bring together an eclectic mix of international heavyweights and homegrown favourites, spanning everything from punk rock and metalcore to indie, hip-hop, electronic music and classic Australian rock.
And with more than 50,000 fans expected to attend across the season, it’s shaping up to be the event’s biggest instalment yet.
The festivities will kick off on Saturday, 28th November with Australian rock legends Australian Crawl, joined by fellow ’80s favourites Boom Crash Opera.
The following night, Sunday, 29th November, will see Pub Choir take over the Forecourt for a particularly special event dubbed Ultimate PDA.
Presented in partnership with the national Australian music campaign Ausify, the mass singalong will bring thousands of voices together to learn and perform an iconic Australian song.
The event will feature Ben Lee and Miles Phillips of Eastern Rosellas, accompanied by the Australian Youth Orchestra.
Then it’s time to crank things up considerably.
On Tuesday, 1st December, American punk rock heavyweights Rise Against will unleash their explosive live show alongside Celtic punk favourites Dropkick Murphys and Haywire.
The following evening will see Mercury Prize-winning British singer-songwriter and producer James Blake take centre stage, supported by Xmunashe.
On Thursday, 3rd December, Sydney indie-rock heroes DMA’S will perform what they’re billing as their biggest show to date, with support from Automatic.
“Big respect to the Opera House for having us,” the band said in a statement.
“It’s a great stage with a lot of history. This is the biggest show we’ve put together so we’re stoked to have the privilege – see you this summer.”
British alternative rock favourites Wolf Alice will follow on Friday, 4th December, joined by Australian acts Folk Bitch Trio and Swapmeet.
The following night, Saturday, 5th December, will see UK grime icon Dizzee Rascal headline a stacked hip-hop and electronic bill featuring Example, ArrDee and Swaglord Savannah.
That show has already sold out, as have both of Spacey Jane’s performances on Thursday, 10th and Friday, 11th December, which will feature support from Telenova and Armlock.
Elsewhere, American country singer-songwriter Dylan Gossett will perform on Sunday, 6th December alongside The Jack Wharff Band, while British singer-songwriter Suki Waterhouse will kick off the Australian leg of her Loveland Tour on Tuesday, 8th December.
And the series will wrap up with an almighty bang on Saturday, 12th December, when Australian metalcore giants The Amity Affliction headline a crushing triple bill alongside Thornhill and WAAX.
But beyond the impressive lineup, this year’s On The Steps will also be helping support the people who keep Australia’s live music industry running behind the scenes.
The series is once again partnering with Support Act, the Australian music industry’s charity, to raise funds for music workers experiencing financial hardship, illness, injury, mental health challenges and other personal crises.
100% of proceeds from official On The Steps merchandise will be donated directly to Support Act, while fans will also have the option to make a voluntary donation when purchasing tickets.
The initiative forms part of Live Nation’s broader support for AusMusic T-Shirt Day, taking place on Thursday, 26th November, which encourages music lovers to wear their favourite Australian artist merch and raise money for the charity.
“On The Steps is a celebration of live music and our partnership with the event series is a chance to give back to the people who make it possible,” Support Act CEO Clive Miller said.
“We’re grateful to Live Nation for continuing this partnership and to every fan who buys a T-shirt or makes a donation.”
Miller added that the funds raised would help provide vital short-term financial assistance and mental health support to music workers in crisis.
With a spectacular harbour backdrop, an enormous genre-spanning lineup and a worthy cause at its heart, On The Steps is shaping up to be one of Sydney’s biggest live music celebrations of the summer.
Tickets for announced shows are on sale now, with several performances already sold out.
Check out the full 2026 lineup below.
On The Steps 2026 – Full Lineup
Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney NSW
Saturday, 28th November
Australian Crawl
With Boom Crash Opera
Sunday, 29th November
Ausify Presents Pub Choir’s Ultimate PDA
With Ben Lee and Miles Phillips (Eastern Rosellas), accompanied by the Australian Youth Orchestra
Tuesday, 1st December
Rise Against
With Dropkick Murphys and Haywire
Wednesday, 2nd December
James Blake
With Xmunashe
Thursday, 3rd December
DMA’S
With Automatic
Friday, 4th December
Wolf Alice
With Folk Bitch Trio and Swapmeet
Saturday, 5th December
Dizzee Rascal
With Example, ArrDee and Swaglord Savannah
(SOLD OUT)
Sunday, 6th December
Dylan Gossett
With The Jack Wharff Band
Tuesday, 8th December
Suki Waterhouse
Support TBA
Thursday, 10th December
Spacey Jane
With Telenova and Armlock
(SOLD OUT)
Friday, 11th December
Spacey Jane
With Telenova and Armlock
(SOLD OUT)
Saturday, 12th December
The Amity Affliction
With Thornhill and WAAX
Ticket Info
Tickets for announced shows are available via Live Nation Australia
NB: Dizzee Rascal’s show and both Spacey Jane performances are sold out.
Further Reading
Australian Music Streams Hit Record Low As Local Stars Launch ‘PDA’ Campaign To Fight Back
Rise Against Are Headlining A Brand New Heavy Music Festival On The NSW Central Coast
Rise Against Are Returning To Australia With Dropkick Murphys For Huge 2026 Tour
