Lookout Festival took over Speers Point Park on Saturday, delivering an unforgettable day packed with some of Australia’s most iconic rock acts. With a stellar lineup, it was a celebration of guitars, nostalgia, and pure energy.
Magic Dirt had the honor of opening the day, setting the tone with their raw and grungy sound. Adalita, as fierce as ever, commanded the stage with effortless cool, her unmistakable vocals cutting through the afternoon air. Songs like Plastic Loveless Letter and Dirty Jeans still hit just as hard, reminding everyone why Magic Dirt were such a defining act of the late ‘90s and early 2000s. It was a killer start, and the crowd responded in kind.
Up next, Jebediah kept the energy rolling with a set that was equal parts fun and nostalgic. Frontman Kevin Mitchell was in fine form, bouncing across the stage with the same youthful enthusiasm that made Jebediah a festival favourite all those years ago. The band ripped through classics like Leaving Home and Harpoon, with the crowd singing along to every word. Their set had a joyous, almost carefree feel to it—proof that, even after all these years, Jebediah still know how to bring the good vibes.
Then came Spiderbait, and the party well and truly kicked into gear. The trio delivered a high-octane set filled with sing-along moments and plenty of crowd interaction. Kram was in his element, hyping up the audience between songs, while Janet’s effortless cool and killer basslines kept everything locked in tight. Buy Me A Pony and Calypso were obvious standouts, but the absolute highlight of their set came when Vanessa from Jebediah joined them on stage for a searing cover of Motörhead’s Ace of Spades. The moment the opening riff hit, it was clear this would go down as one of the day’s most memorable moments.
The Veronicas were next, and while their pop-punk-meets-pop-star vibe may have seemed like an odd fit on paper, they quickly proved why they belonged on that stage. From the moment they launched into Take Me On The Floor, the crowd was hooked. Sure, they were the most “pop” act on the bill, but their set was packed with anthems, attitude, and plenty of sing-along moments, finishing with the ‘unofficial National Anthem Untouched.
Then came Grinspoon, and they did what Grinspoon does best—completely own the stage. From the very first note, Phil Jamieson was a whirlwind of energy, commanding the crowd like a true rock frontman. Hard Act To Follow, Just Ace and Ready 1 had the entire park jumping, and it became evident that Grinspoon could have easily headlined the festival. The energy never dipped, and every song felt like a knockout punch. It was hands down one of the best performances of the day.
Finally, Jet closed out the festival with a thunderous set. Jet’s ability to craft stadium-sized anthems was on full display. It was a fitting way to close out an incredible day of live music.
From start to finish, Lookout Festival delivered in every way. The lineup was stacked, the performances were electric, and the nostalgia factor was off the charts. If this festival returns next year, it’s safe to say it’ll be a must-attend for any Australian music lover.
