Warning amid rumours of Tomorrowland music festival launching Aus event in 2026

News.com.au

3 days ago

Rumours that Australia may soon be home to a massive international music festival have swirled this week, with the stir prompting a reminder for Aussies to also look inward to the incredible talent of homegrown artists.
The speculation was sparked when eagle-eyed festival goers spotted 'Melbourne, November 2026' on the walk into the electronic dance festival Tomorrowland in Belgium.
Festival organisers have since revealed that while an Australian Tomorrowland is not currently on the cards, a festival featuring a CORE stage could be on the way - though organisers are yet to disclose when or where in Australia this could be.
A Tomorrowland spokeswoman described CORE events as an 'experience where nature, music and art meet', with last year's CORE stage used at Tomorrowland in Mexico featuring hundreds of moving lights and LED flares, water fountains and geysers and firework fountains to match the energy of the pulsing electronic beats.
The exciting news comes off the back of a bleak period in Australia's festival sector, with more than 10 events axed last year and several more — including Splendour in the Grass and Groovin The Moo — sitting 2025 out.
A CORE festival down under is likely to spell success as interest in all things rave and electronic dance music continue to experience a steady rise in popularity across the country.
Nearly a quarter of all festivals held in the country last year featured electronic music, with Australia the third-largest consumer of the genre on Spotify, according to reports by Music Australia and Creative Australia.
Australian Festival Association managing director Olly Arkins likened Tomorrowland organisers turning their eye to Australia as a 'testament to the hard yards' local artists and promoters had been putting in for more than a decade.
'(It's) just a real endorsement for the strength of the local electronic music scene in Melbourne, and the work that artists and promoters have been doing there for so long,' Arkins said.
But while an event of CORE's magnitude appears on track to please Aussies and bring audiences some respite from the recent cancellations, it also raises the importance of including local artists on big bills.
Acknowledging a large event such as Tomorrowland would be very exciting, Arkins emphasised the need to bolster the local music industry rather than just focusing on the 'shiny new thing'.
'The whole music ecosystem and industry is dependent on the strength of the grassroots,' Arkins said.
'The biggest problem we are facing at the moment for Australian artists is discoverability and competition with other English-speaking nations.'
More than half of Aussies not seeking local gigs
About 66 per cent of music-engaged Aussies reported they wanted to hear more local music, but only 33 per cent were actively seeking out local acts, Creative Australia's June report found.
Additionally, more than 50 per cent of Australian artists' rights were earned by overseas streams in 2023-24.
Arkins claimed streaming platforms were allowing American artists to dominate algorithms, pushing Aussie music to the side.
'These big international events coming out are important, but they're only going to be successful if they've got a strong base and a strong music community and industry to leverage off,' Arkins said.
'The success of small music festivals is also just as important as the big shiny stuff like Tomorrowland.'
A Tomorrowland spokeswoman said the CORE and Tomorrowland events brought together new releases and emerging artists from label CORE records.
'Branching off to different subgenres with both internationally renowned acts, as well as new talents to discover, CORE aims to give people enough energy for a proper party, while also introducing them to upcoming artists and special discoveries that they wouldn't expect,' the spokeswoman said.
It is unclear whether any Aussie acts would be added to the bill.
Aussie music 'soundtrack to life'
Arts Minister Tony Burke expressed his support for any event planning to platform Aussie artists, while speaking generally.
'Australia produces some of the best music in the world. Last weekend's triplej Hottest 100 of Australian songs only further proved that,' Mr Burke said.
'Any event that wants to come here, platform our artists and provide jobs to our arts workers is a great one.
'We want our Australian music to be the soundtrack to life in Australia.'
The federal government has injected nearly $8m into 112 live music businesses across the country, with an additional $25m to be invested into live music venues in the next two years.
In Victoria — the rumoured host of a CORE event — the state government invests in local artists opening for international acts, backing Melbourne rockers Jet with their support of Lenny Kravitz's November performance.
Tina Arena opening for Billy Joel and The Temper Trap for Kings of Leon in 2022 are among other performances supported by the Victorian government, along with the unforgettable 2022 Geelong gig at which Amyl and the Sniffers opened what would become one of the Foo Fighters' last performances with drummer Taylor Hawkins.
Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said the state was the live music and events capital of the country, with its government backing several events with grants of up to $50,000.
This includes 33 festivals, such as the Queenscliff Music Festival.
'Victoria has built a strong reputation for delivering major music events that bring in visitors from across Australia and around the world, supporting local jobs and showcasing our homegrown talent,' Mr Dimopoulos said.
In a similar vein, NSW recently became the first Aussie government to back the Michael's Rule initiative, which calls for at least one local artist to be brought in to support international acts in Australia.
Venue hire fees will be cut by $20,000 for each eligible show that adheres to the rule, which was established in 2024 following the death of artist manager Michael McMartin.
The fees for Opera House gigs will also be slashed by $5000 if they comply with the rule.