Limp Bizkit return to headline loud and proud Aussie festival

The Good Things festival is set to return to Australia's east coast this December, promising a diverse lineup that spans multiple rock and heavy music genres. Now in its seventh installment, the event will once again gather a broad spectrum of metal, punk, emo, and rock artists from both local and international scenes across Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.

At the forefront of this year’s announcement is the nu-metal band Limp Bizkit, making their first Australian appearance since headlining the festival and additional shows in 2023. Known for their influential late-1990s fusion of rap and rock, Limp Bizkit helped define the nu-metal genre with high-energy tracks like “Nookie” and “Break Stuff.” Their continued presence underscores their enduring appeal to audiences who grew up with their music.

Joining Limp Bizkit is Spiritbox, a Canadian metal outfit led by Courtney LaPlante, whose dynamic vocal range includes both melodic and aggressive styles. After breaking through with their 2020 debut album, Eternal Blue, and following up with Tsunami Sea, Spiritbox has earned critical acclaim and a strong fanbase, marking this as their second Australian tour.

Simple Plan, the Canadian pop-punk band that rose to fame in the early 2000s, are also slated to perform. The group, which has maintained much of its original lineup since formation, continues to resonate with fans nostalgic for the emo and pop-punk sounds of that era.

Another notable Canadian act, Alexisonfire, will commemorate the 20th anniversary of their third album Crisis by playing it in its entirety. Similarly, Swedish punk band Millencolin will perform their 2000 album Pennybridge Pioneers live, an album that gained international recognition partly due to its inclusion in popular video games and radio charts.

Australia’s own Polaris will represent the heavy music contingent with their metalcore sound. The band, which has received multiple ARIA nominations, is reportedly working on new material, adding anticipation to their festival appearance. Longstanding Australian rock band Grinspoon will also take the stage, with their inclusion following the unfortunate cancellation of frontman Phil Jamieson’s solo tour due to injury.

The festival’s lineup further includes Speed, a hardcore band credited with putting Western Sydney’s scene on the map through their energetic live performances and community focus. Other Australian acts such as Slowly Slowly, Brisbane’s Headwreck, and the veteran pub rock band Choirboys, known for their 1987 hit “Run To Paradise,” will also perform, continuing the festival’s tradition of featuring legacy artists alongside newer talent.

From the international circuit, Bad Religion will celebrate their over 45 years in music, showcasing the enduring influence of their melodic hardcore style. The All-American Rejects, returning to Australia after a hiatus of more than 17 years, will bring their alt-rock and pop-punk catalog to festival audiences. The Devil Wears Prada, the Ohio-based metalcore band named after a popular novel and film, will also be on the bill.

Industrial metal pioneers Ministry will mark the festival as part of their global farewell tour, concluding a 45-year career with performances and the release of their 17th studio album. Ministry’s frontman Al Jourgensen has announced his retirement from live performances, making this a significant moment for fans.

Additional performers include US singer-songwriter Bilmuri, vocalist Chad Gray of Mudvayne and Hellyeah, punk mainstays MxPx, Welsh pop-punk group Neck Deep, and emerging international artists such as German trio Future Palace and Indonesian heavy metal trio Voice of Baceprot.

Good Things 2026 will take place on December 4 at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse, December 5 at Sydney Showgrounds, and December 6 at Brisbane Showgrounds, with age restrictions set at 15+ in Melbourne and 16+ in Sydney and Brisbane. Tickets became available on August 20, with further information accessible through the festival’s official channels.

This upcoming edition of Good Things highlights the festival’s commitment to showcasing a wide array of influential and contemporary artists across rock and heavy music genres, while maintaining its status as a pivotal event in Australia’s summer music calendar.