Festival News

Words: Gabrielle Cruden

Photo Credit: Josh Ma

A fortnight ago, the Newcastle Entertainment Centre was transformed into a pulsating hub of music, art, and community as the Spilt Milk House Party brought its unique festival energy to town. With an impressive lineup of global stars, rising talents, and local favourites, the event delivered an unforgettable day that highlighted Newcastle’s growing appeal as a destination for live music.

The day began with a proud moment for Newcastle as Georgie Winchester opened the festival. Her set, featuring tracks from her debut EP Pretty Things and songs written during her extensive Australian tour, captivated the early crowd. I personally saw a few fans buying her G-string merch, which l am sure that a few lucky lovers will be seeing in the coming months.

Raave Tapes, another local gem, kept the energy high with their hard-edged dance-punk sound. Playing hits like “Goodbye” and “k hi,” they turned the floor into a lively dance party, reminding everyone why Newcastle’s music scene is one to watch bringing the kinetic energy to the dancefloor once again.

Sycco wowed the crowd with her jazzy, genre-blurring sound. Her live electronic set included fan favourites like “Dribble” and “Ripple,” alongside new tracks from her debut album Zorb. Her innovative performance style left a lasting impression and marked her as a name to watch.

Artemas delivered a theatrical, high-energy performance, transforming the stage into a mansion-themed house party. His magnetic stage presence brought tracks like “how could you love somebody like me?” to life. He also charmed the crowd with a heartfelt rendition of “I Like the Way You Kiss Me,” adding an intimate touch to his dynamic set.

The anticipation for G Flip’s set reached a fever pitch. Bursting onto the stage with a rainbow flag, G Flip performed a mix of new tracks from their album DRUMMER and fan favourites like “Drink Too Much.” Their cover of Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” had the entire crowd singing along. G Flip’s ability to lead the crowd was unmatched— even those unfamiliar with their music were dancing and singing by the end. Their heartfelt gratitude toward fans created an emotional and inclusive atmosphere that was a true highlight of the day.

Troye Sivan’s Newcastle debut was a festival highlight. Fresh from the sweat tour with besfriend Charli XCX, Troye performed hits like “Got Me Started,” “Talk” and “My My My!” whilst backed by stunning production and dancers which made everyone lose their breaths. His connection with the audience reminded why he is Australian music Royality after taking out the ARIA for album of the year a few days earlier. Whilst Troye coming to Newcastle was not on my bingo card this year, no one was complaining as he performed banger after banger seducing his crowd his steamy set.

English rockers Glass Animals closed the night with a mesmerizing set, playing anthems like “Gooey” and “Heat Waves.”  In their galactic set. Their dynamic energy was the perfect finale, leaving the audience dancing and dreaming of summer with the phones coming out once again for “Tokyo Drifting,” featuring Denzel Curry who is set to return to Australia’s shores once again next year.

As the echoes of Glass Animals’ final notes faded, the sentiment was clear: this event was more than just a festival—it was a celebration of Newcastle’s potential as a cultural hub. Events like Spilt Milk bring new energy to the city, attracting visitors and putting Newcastle on the map for major international acts.

Fans are already looking forward to what’s next, with hopes that Spilt Milk will return in its full glory next year. With its mix of global talent, local pride, and top-tier production, Spilt Milk House Party has set the stage for Newcastle to become a must-visit stop on Australia’s live music circuit with many local punters hoping that major touring artists will consider stopping in the years to come.