Ocean Sounds

Ocean Sounds: festival sunset on Phillip Island

Ocean Sounds is a boutique music festival held on Churchill Island, as part of the well-known Phillip Island in the Australian state of Victoria. Located right by the ocean, the festival is conceived as an all-day open-air concert that culminates at sunset, as the light breaks over the sea behind the stage. The concept is simple: the best Australian artists, an ocean view, a relaxed picnic atmosphere, and an emphasis on the local community. Across editions marked with the code 2026 / 2027, Ocean Sounds has grown into a recognizable family music event that attracts visitors from across the entire state. Unlike large, multi-day mass festivals, Ocean Sounds stays focused on one carefully curated festival evening. The program is scheduled through the afternoon and evening, so visitors on the lawn in front of the stage can slowly set up their blankets, folding chairs, and food baskets while the lineup rotates on stage. The focus is on Australian bands and performers – from established headliners to rising acts – so the festival has become a valuable platform for the domestic music scene and a kind of annual snapshot of what is currently exciting in rock, indie pop, roots, soul, and related genres. Ocean Sounds especially emphasizes that it is a family-friendly event. On the lawn at the same time you can see families with children, groups of friends, and music lovers who have been planning their summer trip around this festival for years. Organizers encourage the audience to bring their own picnic blankets and experience the evening as a blend of concert and relaxing on the grass, while local producers of wine, cheese, and street food specialties round out the experience. Given that capacity is limited, tickets are often sought in advance, so over time the festival has gained a reputation as an intimate event where it’s not only about the music, but also about the atmosphere. Another special feature of Ocean Sounds is the way it fits into the tourism context of Phillip Island. Many visitors arrive a day earlier or extend their stay to combine the festival with exploring the island, beaches, and natural attractions. This has made the event important for the local economy as well – from accommodation to hospitality venues – because the festival audience spends more than just the concert’s duration on the island. Ocean Sounds thus functions as a kind of extension of the tourist season and a cultural magnet that brings together music fans, families, and travelers. On the musical level, across editions 2026 / 2027 the festival has attracted some of the most recognizable names on the Australian scene. The lineup has included rock and indie bands such as Birds of Tokyo, Boy & Bear, and The Cat Empire, as well as choirs and collectives blending disco, gospel, and house aesthetics, along with singer-songwriters and acts from the world and roots spectrum. In more recent editions, emphasis has also been placed on soul and blues tones brought by bands like The Teskey Brothers, as well as electronic DJ sets, for example The Presets, and strong singer-songwriters such as Thelma Plum, or performers and bands from the local community. This kind of combination creates a program with clear headliners while also revealing new names.

Why should you see Ocean Sounds live?

• Unique oceanfront location – The Ocean Sounds stage is set on a lawn with an open view toward the sea, so the concerts literally follow the sunset. While bands play their best-known songs, the audience simultaneously looks toward the horizon and watches the sky’s colors shift from gold to purple.
• A curated lineup of Australian artists – The festival focuses on the domestic scene, so rock, indie, soul, folk, and electronic acts from different parts of Australia rotate on the same stage. For the audience, it’s a chance to hear in one place what established bands sound like and those who are only now coming into the broader public’s focus.
• Family, picnic atmosphere – Ocean Sounds is not a festival dominated by a mosh pit, but a lawn full of blankets, folding chairs, and relaxed groups of friends and families. Children run around in the background, older visitors calmly enjoy the music and the sunset, and the whole event keeps a sense of safety and a pleasant summer outing.
• Local food, wine, and products – Next to the stage there are stalls with local wines, craft offerings, cheeses, and a range of gourmet food trucks. The idea is that the audience can have lunch and dinner on site, combining the music lineup with tasting products from the Phillip Island area.
• Artist–audience interaction – Because it’s one day and one stage, performers and the audience share the same space from early afternoon to late evening. Bands often comment on the atmosphere, the sunset, and the location, and the audience responds with collective chorus singing and spontaneous communication with the stage.
• The “small big” festival experience – Although it brings ARIA award-winning artists and headliners who fill large halls to the stage, Ocean Sounds keeps its scale in check. Visitor numbers are limited, moving around the site is simple, and the impression is more like being at a big communal picnic than at a megalomaniac music spectacle.

Ocean Sounds — how to prepare for the show?

Ocean Sounds is designed as a one-day open-air festival on the grassy areas of Churchill Island, with a stage facing the ocean and a program that runs from afternoon hours until late evening. That means a visitor spends a large part of the day outdoors, exposed to sun, wind, and changing weather. The first step in preparation is to embrace the festival philosophy: this is an event that blends music, nature, and a relaxed picnic, so planning your stay is just as important as studying the lineup. Visitors usually arrive earlier to claim a spot on the lawn, unpack blankets and folding chairs, and find the best angle with a view of the stage. Because of the longer time in the sun, comfortable layered clothing, a hat or cap, and sunscreen are recommended. As evening falls, the temperature can drop, so it’s practical to bring a light jacket or sweater. Footwear should suit being on grass – sneakers, sandals, or other comfortable shoes are a far more practical choice than formal footwear. Planning your arrival also includes thinking about transport and accommodation, especially for those who do not live near Phillip Island. Many visitors choose accommodation on the island and arrive a day earlier or stay longer, so it’s good to check availability in advance and possible traffic congestion on approach roads. Since Ocean Sounds tickets are often sought in advance, the audience not infrequently plans the whole weekend around the festival, including trips to beaches, nature walks, and other activities. To get the maximum out of the show, it’s useful to study the published lineup in advance and listen to songs by the artists who will perform. Many festivals, including Ocean Sounds, link the program with playlists on streaming services or highlight recommended songs, so visitors can prepare and discover new favorites before they hear them live. On the lawn you can often see an audience singing the biggest headliner hits together, while segments dedicated to rising performers serve as an opportunity to discover new music. Preparation also includes planning breaks for food and drink, because part of the festival’s charm is exploring the offerings of local food trucks and stalls.

Interesting facts about Ocean Sounds you may not have known

One of the reasons Ocean Sounds has become recognizable among Australian summer events is its location on Churchill Island, a historic and protected natural area connected by bridge to Phillip Island. The combination of rural landscape, open lawns, and ocean views gives the festival a specific visual backdrop that is hard to replicate in city parks or standard concert venues. Across editions marked with the code 2026 / 2027, the festival has positioned itself as a “sunset concert series” – a series of carefully selected performances at the moment when day turns into night, with emphasis on atmosphere as much as on sound. Over time, Ocean Sounds has also attracted an exceptionally respectable list of visiting artists. Bands such as Birds of Tokyo, Boy & Bear, and The Cat Empire have taken the stage, known for sing-along anthems and concerts that fill big halls, while recent editions have also brought ARIA award-winning artists like The Teskey Brothers and Thelma Plum, as well as DJ sets by The Presets. The program often includes names from the local community too, such as the collective Millowl Dreaming or younger artists who get a chance to perform in front of an audience that returns year after year. The festival thus creates a blend of big names, mainstream favorites, and new talent, which further strengthens its status on the domestic scene.

What to expect at the show?

A typical day at Ocean Sounds begins with the afternoon arrival of the first visitors, who slowly fill the lawn in front of the stage. The first performances belong to rising acts – singer-songwriters, local bands, or projects that may still be building their fan base. As afternoon turns into evening, mid-billed bands with recognizable singles take the stage, and the audience gradually moves closer to the stage, leaving blankets as a starting point between sets. As the sun sets, headliners come on; it is often bands whose songs the audience knows down to the last line, so the final part of the evening takes the form of collective choral singing. The setlist is usually built to combine new songs and the artists’ biggest hits. In the case of rock and indie bands, that means the audience will hear both radio favorites and deeper album cuts, while soul and roots artists use the opportunity for longer instrumental sections, improvisations, or shared sing-along choruses. Electronic DJ sets, in turn, close the night with more dance-oriented energy, but without losing the relaxed atmosphere that dominates the whole day. Although the program is intense, the pacing leaves enough time between sets for a break, chatting with friends, and going to get food or drinks. The audience at Ocean Sounds is usually a mix of passionate fans of certain bands and visitors who simply love the combination of music and a summer setting. Some come in shirts of their favorite bands and follow every song from the front rows; others retreat to the back of the lawn and listen from a lying position on a blanket. What they share is that they experience the festival as an experience, not just as a series of isolated performances. After the final chord of the last performer, the impression visitors most often take away is a combination of fatigue and satisfaction – the feeling that they spent an entire day outdoors, by the sea, among thousands of people who share a love of music. For many, that impression turns into a tradition: Ocean Sounds becomes an annual ritual they plan to return to, often with the same groups and the same arrival routine. Precisely in that recurring memory, tied to the sunset over the sea, picnic blankets, and the sound of Australian bands, lies the reason why the festival continues to grow and cement its status as one of the most special summer music events on Phillip Island.

Lineup and musical diversity of Ocean Sounds

One of Ocean Sounds’ strongest assets is a lineup that each year brings together different genres of Australian music into a single all-day program. Across past editions, the stage has been filled by rock and indie bands, singer-songwriters, soul and blues groups, as well as DJ collectives that close the evening with dance sets. In some seasons the emphasis was on guitars and anthemic choruses brought by bands such as Birds of Tokyo, Boy & Bear, or The Cat Empire, while other years pushed roots, folk, and world artists and strong female vocals to the forefront. Such diversity allows very different crowds to rotate on the lawn through the afternoon, while in the evening, with the headliners, everyone ends up in a shared chorus. A special stamp on the festival is given by editions in which the headliner role was taken by artists with serious concert pedigree and numerous awards. The Teskey Brothers, for example, bring a modern soul sound with a highly emotional vocal and rich arrangements, while The Presets as a DJ set create a completely different energy – electronic, rhythmic, focused on dancing. Thelma Plum, a singer-songwriter who combines pop, indie, and elements of contemporary R&B, brings personal stories and a strong authorial signature, and alongside her the stage has hosted artists such as Steph Strings, Playlunch, Holly Hebe, or The Foxy Junes. It is precisely this mix of recognizable names and rising performers that makes Ocean Sounds an ideal place to discover new music. For festivalgoers it is also important that the lineup is not spread across multiple stages. Everything happens on one main stage, so the program is easy to follow from the first to the last performer. Visitors do not have to run from one end of the venue to the other to catch a favorite band, but instead spend the whole day moving in the same circuit – between the lawn, food trucks, drink stalls, and the main stage. This reduces stress and the feeling of missing out, and increases the sense that the crowd is moving together through a carefully designed program that the organizers have arranged in advance as one coherent whole. An important part of the story also involves collectives and local projects linked to Millowl (the traditional name for Phillip Island) and the wider Bass Coast area. The program includes collaborations with local artists, dance groups, and communities that get the opportunity to present themselves to the festival audience. These performances are often not in headliner slots, but they remain memorable precisely because they bring local identity – from traditional elements to contemporary interpretations that connect music, movement, and the story of the place where the festival is held.

Ocean Sounds and the Australian music scene

Given that through Ocean Sounds there have already flowed hundreds of thousands of streams, many ARIA nominations, and performances by artists who fill big halls, the festival has gradually positioned itself as an important point in the calendar of Australian musicians. For bands such as Birds of Tokyo, Boy & Bear, or The Cat Empire, who already have a strong radio presence and many performances on major tours, performing at Ocean Sounds means meeting the audience in a different setting – without a roof, at dusk, with the sea behind their backs and grass underfoot. For them it is a chance to perform well-known songs in a more relaxed, almost “summer” format. At the same time, the festival provides a platform for artists who are only on the way to bigger stages. Examples include singer-songwriters like Jem Cassar-Daley or bands like Cool Out Sun and Ozone Street, who at Ocean Sounds get the chance to play to an audience that might not specifically come to their solo concert, but can discover them in a festival context. For young musicians, that means important experience and a reference; for the audience, an opening toward new names that later appear on playlists and music services. Ocean Sounds has thus become a kind of cross-section of contemporary Australian music production, with an emphasis on artists who manage to combine artistic credibility and broad appeal. It is a festival where you can hear both songs that have defined triple j Hottest 100 lists and new tracks that are only now looking for their place on the airwaves. For the Australian music industry, this is valuable – the festival not only promotes domestic authors, but also shows that there is an audience willing to travel to an island to hear them live.

The festival and the local community of Phillip Island

Ocean Sounds cannot be separated from the context of Phillip Island and the broader Bass Coast region. It is an area that has been attracting visitors for decades because of a combination of beaches, surf culture, a penguin colony, nature reserves, and various outdoor activities. An open-air festival located on Churchill Island thus naturally fits into the tourism picture – music becomes another reason to come, but also added value for those already on the island for a holiday. For the local community, that means increased visibility and economic impact. During the festival weekend, accommodation fills up, traffic in restaurants, cafés, and bars rises, and at the festival itself the emphasis is on local wines, cheeses, beers, and specialties offered by regional producers. Stalls with gourmet food and wine huts are not just a practical add-on, but an integral part of Ocean Sounds’ identity – the festival takes pride in presenting local gastronomy as much as the music. In many posts by local media and tourism boards, it is highlighted that this is a “smiling friends” audience – people who come with family and friends, spend the day on the lawn, and often walk around the island before or after the event itself. This positions the festival as a cultural event that simultaneously nurtures the community and attracts visitors from outside. Organizers cooperate with local authorities and services to make traffic, parking, and logistics run as smoothly as possible, because the increased flow of people on the island requires careful planning. It is also important that Ocean Sounds does not try to become a megalomaniac festival that would overload local infrastructure. The number of visitors is kept within limits that allow relatively easy movement, a recognizable “slightly bigger group” atmosphere, and environmental preservation. In communication with the audience, the need for responsible behavior is often emphasized – from waste disposal to respecting nature and the local community – which further strengthens the festival’s image as a partner rather than a burden on the location.

Family festival: tips for visiting with children

Since Ocean Sounds is explicitly promoted as a family-friendly event, many families see it as a perfect opportunity for a first bigger festival trip with children. The space is grassy, relatively flat, and spacious enough for children to run around and explore while parents follow performances from blankets and chairs. Still, as with any open-air festival, good preparation is key to making the experience comfortable for all family members. Parents are advised to think in layers – literally and figuratively. In practical terms, that means bringing enough clothing for changeable conditions (from short sleeves to light jackets for later in the evening), a cap or hat for sun protection, sunscreen, and perhaps a thin raincoat if the forecast is unstable. For children who are more sensitive to noise, it’s useful to bring ear protection or children’s headphones with volume control, so they can enjoy the concert without discomfort from the PA volume. The second level of preparation relates to organizing the day. Since the program lasts several hours, it’s good to agree in advance on a “rhythm” between performances and breaks – when it’s time for a meal, when for a walk, and when to watch a set from the front rows. Many parents choose a compromise: they follow part of the concert from a blanket a bit farther from the stage so children have space to play, and for favorites in the lineup they move closer to the stage. In any case, it’s crucial to watch children’s signals – tiredness, hunger, the need for quiet – and adjust the plan rather than trying to watch every performance at all costs. The third element is the small things that make a big difference: a blanket that packs easily and doesn’t absorb moisture, small pillows or an inflatable sitting cushion, a phone power bank, wipes and hand sanitizer, as well as simple games (cards, a book, coloring books) for breaks between concerts. Ocean Sounds aims to be a safe and pleasant space, but parents who think a few steps ahead will more easily balance festival energy and the needs of the youngest.

Accessibility and practical information on site

In their FAQ information, Ocean Sounds organizers emphasize that the festival site is relatively flat and suitable for all ages, which is important both for older visitors and for those with limited mobility. The venue includes marked areas for people with increased accessibility needs, including special parking spaces near the entrance. This aims to reduce the distance that people with disabilities or reduced mobility must cover from their vehicle to the entrance and the main stage. Moving around on the grassy area is easier than on uneven, rocky surfaces, but visitors who use wheelchairs or walkers should still keep in mind that it is a natural terrain. In practice, that means the easiest movement will be along the main paths and approaches that organizers mark during the festival. Since a large number of people can gather on site, a pedagogical recommendation for visitors with accessibility needs is to arrive a bit earlier, so they can calmly organize their spot on the lawn and familiarize themselves with the locations of restrooms and water points. As for safety, Ocean Sounds is typically covered by standard festival measures: the presence of security staff, clearly marked exits, medical services, and lost-and-found zones. Because it is a family festival, the organization pays special attention to communication with the audience – through notices on social media and informational materials, responsible alcohol consumption, care for children, and respect for other visitors are emphasized. This creates an environment in which both solo visitors and families feel safe.

Planning a weekend around Ocean Sounds

Although Ocean Sounds formally takes place over one day, for many visitors the experience in practice extends over the entire weekend. Coming to Phillip Island often includes one or two nights, beach visits, a visit to the famous Penguin Parade, walks in nature reserves, and exploring small settlements on the island. Many choose a combination: the day before the festival is used for sightseeing, the festival day is dedicated to music and socializing on the lawn, and the day after for recovery by the sea and local cafés. For visitors coming from more distant parts of Australia, the trip is often planned as a combination of driving by car and potentially an extended break in Melbourne or the surrounding area. Since Ocean Sounds is already established on the calendar, accommodation in popular periods can fill up quickly. Because of that, it is common practice to book accommodation in parallel with buying tickets or immediately after deciding to attend the festival. It’s not only about practicality, but also about the experience having a rhythm – from getting into the car to returning home. Weekend planning also includes the “what if” logic – what if the weather changes, what if the festival runs late, what if you want to stay longer for a walk after the concert. In that sense, visitors often choose accommodation in locations with good transport connections, secured parking, and flexible arrival conditions. In tourism materials, Ocean Sounds is often described as a perfect opportunity for a “seaside getaway” with friends and family, so the whole trip is experienced as a mini vacation, not exclusively as going to a concert.

Ocean Sounds compared to other festivals

When compared with large multi-day festivals that occupy multiple stages and attract tens of thousands of people, Ocean Sounds takes a somewhat more intimate but also more focused position. There are no parallel programs to choose between, no need for complicated movement planning across a huge camp, and no feeling of total content overload. Instead, attention is directed to one stage, a carefully arranged schedule, and the experience of being on the ocean coast. Compared to urban festivals held in city parks or stadiums, Ocean Sounds has the advantage of a natural environment and the feeling of “escaping” everyday life. The trip to Churchill Island is already part of the experience – crossing the bridge, the view of water and nature around you remind visitors that they didn’t just come to a concert, but to a different rhythm of life. On the other hand, the festival retains enough professional production – from sound to lighting and staging – that it doesn’t feel like an improvised event, but a well-planned summer spectacle. For audiences used to big indoor concerts, Ocean Sounds offers a contrast: instead of stands and numbered seats there is a lawn where everyone can find their corner, spread a blanket, and experience the concert as a shared picnic. For those who otherwise avoid festivals because of crowds or logistical complications, this combination of relaxation and clear structure can be ideal. At the same time, the fact that the emphasis is on Australian performers gives the festival a local authenticity that many international festivals lose by relying primarily on global stars.

How to stay up to date with the program and news

Since the Ocean Sounds lineup changes every year and the festival continuously develops its offerings, it is important to follow how the program is being updated. Music media that follow the Australian scene regularly publish lineup announcements, interviews with performers, and trend analyses, so audiences can get a sense months in advance of what tone the next edition will have. Local portals from the Bass Coast region and Phillip Island further emphasize the tourism aspect, accommodation tips, and information on how the festival impacts the community. For music lovers who plan their festival calendar in advance, the broader picture is tracked as well. Editions featuring artists such as Xavier Rudd or Spiderbait, as well as later editions with The Teskey Brothers, The Presets, and Thelma Plum, show continuity in lineup quality. Ocean Sounds thus creates its own “narrative”: those who once experienced the Churchill Island sunset with a concert often feel the need to return, and new visitors join based on friends’ experiences, reviews, and photos circulating in the media and on social networks. Although information about tickets and practical guidance is officially published through the organizers and tourism channels, for the average visitor it is enough to follow a few key sources – music portals, local media, and tourism sites connected to Phillip Island. There you can follow the lineup announcement, an approximate schedule, and additional content that will accompany the next edition. Ultimately, what does not change is the core idea: Ocean Sounds remains a festival that connects music, the sea, and a relaxed picnic atmosphere, so each new edition builds on an already familiar story. Sources: - Official Ocean Sounds festival website – basic information about the concept, schedule, and FAQ contents - Visit Phillip Island and Visit Bass Coast – tourism context, location description, and the festival’s role in the island’s offering - South Gippsland Sentinel-Times – local news about lineups, editions, and the festival’s impact on the community - Beat Magazine – music articles and lineup announcements with an emphasis on Australian performers - Forte Magazine – a look back at earlier lineups and the combination of festival getaway and concerts - Australian Music Scene – lineup announcements and profiles of artists performing at Ocean Sounds - Music Festival Wizard – Ocean Sounds festival profile and an overview of its genre orientation - Lift Melbourne and Over The Top Events – program announcements and a description of the “sunset concert series” concept on Phillip Island - Bass Coast Shire and local tourism portals – information about event organization, family-friendly character, and local offerings