Queenscliff Music Festival 2025 Review
Summary: QMF 2025 does it again, amazing!
5
Festival of Music
The Queenscliff Music Festival 2025 unfolded with the kind of effortless organisation that has become its hallmark. Even as showers rolled in from the bay, the stages never faltered and the artists played on with a defiance that only heightened the sense of community. Friday night’s headline set from Little Birdy was a revelation, their shimmering indie rock cutting through the drizzle and reminding the crowd of their enduring power… and also a reason why the QMF is so popular.
Over at the Hippos Stage, Sex On Toast delivered a wildly energetic set, blending funk, soul and jazz‑infused grooves. The atmosphere was electric — people moved shoulder to shoulder, clapping and riding the infectious rhythms deep into the night.
Saturday was a feast of sound, a day so jam‑packed with performances it felt impossible to catch everything. The Smith and Western Jury brought grit and storytelling to the afternoon, while Bones & Jones brought raw garage-rock energy to the audience at the Hippos stage, their fuzzed-out riffs and driving rhythms igniting the crowd. Rising star Romanie alspo charmed audiences earlier in the day with her intimate indie-folk storytelling, her delicate vocals and heartfelt lyrics offering a quiet counterpoint to the bigger stage acts.
Later in the day, The Waifs brought a change of pace with their heartfelt folk-rock storytelling. Their harmonies floated across the Lighthouse Stage, offering a moment of warmth and nostalgia that resonated deeply with long-time fans. Elsewhere at the Pavilion Stage, Ruby Mae’s performance was quite soulful, her voice rich and commanding, marking her as one to watch.
Thelma Plum’s Saturday night set was another highlight, her voice carrying across the foreshore with a kind of quiet authority. Adding to the richness of the program, Kit Genesis took over the Pavilion Stage with their distinctive blend of indie and experimental sounds, drawing the audience into a collective sway. Saturday also saw The Cat Empire return to the Lighthouse Stage with their trademark explosion of brass, percussion and infectious energy. Their set was a carnival in motion, a reminder of why they remain one of Australia’s most beloved live acts.
The party didn’t stop there. Miss Goldie kept the energy surging with a DJ set packed full of sick beats and eclectic selections, spinning tracks that had festival‑goers moving late into the evening. Her set added a different dimension to the program, bridging live performance with dance‑floor culture and proving that QMF thrives on diversity.
Sunday brought its own highlights, with Norwood delivering a stirring performance that closed the weekend on a high note. Their set captured the reflective mood of the final day, offering a mix of soaring melodies and heartfelt lyrics that resonated deeply with the audience. Ella Hooper returned to the stage with a Sunday set that showcased her latest material, including a standout collaboration written during her time in Nashville. The performance was elevated by a secret guest appearance on saxophone, adding a sultry, unexpected layer that had the crowd buzzing. Across the weekend, she proved once again why she is a perennial favourite at QMF, drawing one of the most enthusiastic crowds of the festival.
Beyond the stages, QMF continued to surprise with its creativity. One of the most talked‑about installations was the musical plants, hooked up to tactile technology that transformed touch into sound. Festival‑goers delighted in brushing leaves or moving stems to trigger melodies, turning nature itself into an instrument. It was interactive, playful, and a perfect example of how QMF blends art, music, and innovation. Another standout was the Reflection Atrium, a quiet space where attendees could pause, draw, or write their thoughts. It offered a moment of stillness amid the energy, encouraging personal expression and connection in a way that complemented the music outside.
But QMF is more than a lineup — it’s a festival that breathes family spirit. Children darted between the interactive circus and dedicated performers, their laughter mingling with the music. Food vans offered a kaleidoscope of flavours, from smoky barbecue to vegan delights, ensuring no one went hungry between sets.
Queenscliff itself became an extension of the festival. The Esplanade Hotel pulsed with sets from Alex Kosenko, while buskers turned the streets into impromptu stages, creating a soundtrack that spilled beyond the ticketed venues. It was impossible to walk through town without stumbling upon another pocket of music, another reminder of how deeply the festival is woven into the fabric of the community.
In the end, QMF 2025 was not just another weekend of performances — it was a living, breathing celebration of artistry and togetherness. Rain or shine, it delivered a memorable chapter in the festival’s story, reaffirming Queenscliff as a place where music, family, and coastal charm converge in spectacular fashion.
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