Words by By Phoebe O’Brien
Laneway is back and the line-up is stacked. After brat summer with Charli XCX headlining last year, this year feels like: girlie pop meets mother meets sweaty festival euphoria. Glitter, absolute bangers and immaculate vibes, no matter who you are, you’re going to have a good time.
Here are the five acts we genuinely cannot wait to see.
PinkPantheress
British singer-songwriter and producer PinkPantheress has a rare ability to sound both familiar and entirely new. Her catchy, Y2K-tinged tracks tap into a nostalgia that’s less recycled and more reimagined, made for a generation raised online.
Her Tiny Desk performance proved just how quirky, chill and naturally talented she is, effortless without ever feeling understated. Will she bring out one or two Laneway buddies and music collaborators on stage? (We’re looking at you, Oklou and The Dare). Stateside live with The Dare on stage? Please and thank you. Girl Like Me with Oklou? Insert “is this Illegal?” joke. Did we mention Pink has purse?
The Dare
Our favourite smirking fashion boy is back in the land of Aus. Since Charli headlined last year, it’s only fitting that the Guess producer and diva in his own right, takes his Laneway Festival spotlight. Harrison Patrick Smith aka The Dare, is a producer, DJ and total New York party icon. From spinning glamorous gigs with Cher, to packing out sweaty club nights across NYC, he’s become a defining presence in underground nightlife. His Freakquencies club night, brought to Melbourne’s Miscellania at the end of 2024 during his debut Australian tour, had already made waves in NYC’s infamous Home Sweet Home.
With major producer credits, high-profile collaborations and a revival of indie sleaze aesthetic, it will be exciting to see him push the boundaries of party culture in a festival setting. Smith’s sets are full of energy and attitude. I caught him live in Milan (as you do), and let’s just say off the decks, this man lives for high kicks and smashed cymbals. If you’re a fan of The Dare, check out his previous work under Turtlenecked, Flirtation is a fun one and gives serious pre-The Dare vibes.
Also: Australian summer, festival heat, tailored designer suit… Fingers crossed for a late set. For everyone’s sake.
Blusher
A touch of Aussie flavour and exactly what this line-up needs.
Melbourne alt-pop trio Blusher, Miranda Ward, Jade Ingvarson-Favretto and Lauren Coutts, bring playful, polished pop that’s impossible to resist, with tracks like Accelerator proving they can craft hooks that stick long after the song ends. After stints living in LA and a North American tour supporting Swedish duo NOTD, I’m ready for a honed festival set that’s tight, fun and full of personality.
If you’ve seen them on Triple J’s Like A Version, you’ve got a taste, but catching them live, like on their recent Aussie tour or opening for Miss Rebecca Black, is something else. Their choreography, matching fits and flawless synchronicity create a stage presence that is refreshing in today’s pop scene. Blusher are carving out a space all their own. A festival favourite in the making, you’ll definitely want to boogie to this trio!
Jensen McRae
Jensen McRae is one of those artists who sneaks up on you, and suddenly you’re fully invested, emotionally compromised and replaying songs like it’s a coping mechanism.
Her song Massachusetts captures those small, specific memories that linger long after a relationship ends, turning the everyday into something universal and deeply relatable. The way she folds nostalgia, longing and emotional precision into her lyrics makes her feel like a storyteller who sees you, feels with you and somehow puts your exact feelings into words.
Perfect for that Laneway moment when everything feels a little softer and more real. Jensen is also doing side shows in Melbourne and Sydney, with the Melbourne date landing on Valentine’s Day no less, ooft.
Chappell Roan
Girl. Do we even need to explain?
Chappell Roan headlining Laneway is going to be surreal. Her live show promises divine, camp perfection. From the makeup, costumes, sets and vocals, all coming together in a whirlwind of maximalist, shining chaos. Watching her perform will feel like stepping into a fantasy you can’t quite believe is real… and yet it is. I’ll be sure to have a blurry pic to prove it.
It’s theatrical, dramatic and emotional: dancing to Hot to Go, crying out to Casual, and getting hit right in the chest by The Subway as we, as a festival audience merge together thinking of the one that got away. Heartbreak dressed in sequins and stage lights, it’s going to be brutal, brilliant and unmissable. The set we won’t forget. I can’t wait to be swept up in a sea of glitter pretending I’m fine.
Honourable mentions (because I tried to behave)
The Belair Lip Bombs are a Melbourne indie-rock four-piece turning heads far beyond the local scene. Fresh off their second album Again and having supported Spacey Jane in North America, they’re one to watch at this year’s Laneway.
Touring Australia after the festival, so if you miss them, you’ve got another chance before they head overseas. Don’t miss standout track Hey You.
