Nostalgic alt rock festival to make its Cairns debut


Rock buffs rejoice – some of Australia's most renowned artists and nostalgic names are lined up to play in Cairns. 

Grinspoon, You Am I, Regurgitator, Jebediah and Magic Dirt are among the acts in this year’s Spring Loaded Festival, which will make its Tropical North debut at the Cairns Showgrounds on Saturday 12 June. 

The national tour will stop in nine cities across the country, with its 18+ Cairns show second on the schedule next to Sydney. 



Following the huge success of its inaugural festival in 2019, this year’s lineup boasts a haul of the decade’s most celebrated acts.

Grinspoon’s Phil Jamieson said he’s stoked at the opportunity to get the band back together after the COVID break.

“I’m terribly excited to be playin’ with Grinspoon at Spring Loaded. Since FireFight we have barely stepped onto stage, let alone seen each other,” he said. 

Thrilled to be on the bill, You Am I’s Tim Roger expects punters to “dress up, turn up (and) muck up.”

“It’s kinda unavoidable that nostalgia surrounds these shows, but the past year I’ve heard new music from most of our friends here that is as vital and visceral as any they’ve done in the past, which makes these potential shows all the more thrilling,” he said. 

Empire Touring’s Director Marc Christowski said it’s “a massive buzz” to be able to deliver Spring Loaded to Cairns. 

“Bringing together such an amazing lineup that will go to every corner of the country, flying the flag of indie rock is a dream come true,” he said.

The fully-licensed festival will also be bustling with craft beer and local food trucks.

Punters are urged to bring ponchos and gumboots if rain is forecast, along with picnic rugs, low camp chairs and refillable water bottles.

Tickets will go on sale at 10am AEST, Wednesday March 24.

Telstra customers are eligible for presale tickets from 10am March 18 to 10pm March 21.

Tickets will be available from ticketek.com.au and oztix.com.au

If any shows are required to be postponed, ticketholders will be eligible for a full refund if they are unable to make the new date.