The weekend you’ve been meaning to spend with your mates, the one you’ve been putting off for no reason, it’s this weekend and it’s taking place at Thrashville in the Hunter Valley. Plus, if you all go, you’ll have the added bonus of knowing that you’re having fun for a great cause. Saving our scene.
Thrashville is a rare beast indeed.
In NSW, a state where music festivals are heavily policed, overloaded with security, overpriced to high heaven and set up so that the closest you’ll get to any band is miles away from the stage, you have Thrashville. An intimate Punk, Rock, Metal, Skate, Graff and Tattoo festival, with on ground camping, all for under $100.
In a time where promoters are asking more than double that, just for festival access, or hundreds of dollars, if not thousands to see legacy bands, Thrashville are putting on a showcase of Australia’s finest live bands in a setting reminiscent of all the best backyard bush parties you ever went to as a pup. Only this time, instead of having your mates little brothers cover band grinding out the six songs they know, while your drunk uncle yells out for them to play ‘Horses’, Thrashville are putting on 23 of the absolute best this fine country has to offer, for nearly 12 straight hours, clash free.
There's no slouches on show either. 250 bands have put their hands up to be included this years lineup and the 23 that were chosen are looking to make it one for the history books. Slim Krusty is gaining a firm following on his Australia wide rampage in support of The Bennies and this will be one of the few chances to set up future bragging rights about the time you saw him from only a few yards away. Dr. Colossus are celebrating four years without any new music (hint hint lads). Frankenbok return after having reunited with vocalist Adam 'Hutch' Glynn and dropped a new EP called Irrepressible. Sydney legends Mountain Wizard Death Cult are set to showcase their first batch of new tunes since the introduction of their new vocalist Elliot Smith [Wicked Sister, Foothills] last year. Smacked Youth have been tearing up radio airwaves in the US with their new hit single 'White Line Fever' following an impressive stint supporting The Screaming Jets and Dune Rats.
It’ll also be the last chance to see King Parrot perform songs from their new album A Young Person's Guise To King Parrot before they head to the states in support of Pantera. The underground grindcore kings made global headlines after playing Wembley Arena when they shared the stage with Aquaman himself, Jason Momoa.
Despite ticking so many boxes, Thrashville is under threat.
Tickets sales are less than half of what this event deserves and if we, the hard working punk and metal community don’t rally at the last minute to support it, it will die.
We spoke with organiser Matt 'Magpie' Johnston about the event this weekend to which he divulged:
"Unfortunately it comes down to numbers, if we can’t sell 500 tickets to a festival that deserves 1000 people, then it’s just not financially viable. So there goes another grassroots, community feeder event, that gives stoke to young and old, connects the dots and creates heavy music loving mates across the country.
What I also fear and a prime example of this is happening when tickets go on sale for rock legends AC/DC... As epic is it is, that tour isn’t gunna do anything more than boost the big players and drain the economy out of crucial grassroots community events like Thrashville, the type of event that builds future stadium bands.
Music fans need to be conscious about where they spend their hard earned gigs dollars, and think about what future music events they would like to see as part of the industry landscape. Of course if you're one of those lucky ones who can afford to go to everything, then you bloody beauty, we’ll see ya at Thrashville legend."
Thrashville has long been a firm supporter of the Australian music landscape. The team behind it have persevered through pandemics, bushfires, floods and economic turmoil to put on this unique musical experience and now its up to the great Aussie punter to step up and support their scene.
So grab your mates, pack your swag and head to The Hunter Valley to support this incredible event celebrate this amazing local scene.
Tickets range from $80 (Adults - 15+) and $30 (Youth - U15) +booking fee for festival passes only; and $98 (Adult) and $42 (Youth - U15) + booking fee for camping. More info can be found here
Thrashville 2025
Saturday June 28th at Dashville, Hunter Valley NSW
