Australian Crawl will open the expanded Sydney Opera House Forecourt concert series, which brings together 12 nights of Australian and international music, several sold-out performances and a renewed fundraising partnership with Support Act.
On The Steps has confirmed its complete 2026 line-up, with Australian Crawl opening an expanded 12-night season at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt on 28 November. The fifth year of the Live Nation-presented series will run through to 12 December, bringing together established Australian acts, international performers and some of the country’s most in-demand contemporary artists.
The 2026 season will be the largest On The Steps has staged, with capacity increased to accommodate up to 7,000 people per night. More than 50,000 fans are expected across the series, which has already recorded sold-out performances for Dizzee Rascal and both Spacey Jane shows.
Australian Crawl will open proceedings on Saturday 28 November, joined by Boom Crash Opera. The pairing brings two significant Australian bands together for the opening night of a series that spans several generations of Australian music.
The following evening, 29 November, takes a different direction with Ausify Presents Pub Choir’s Ultimate PDA. The event will bring thousands of voices together to learn an iconic Australian song, combining music and comedy. Ben Lee and Miles Phillips of Eastern Rosellas will perform alongside the Australian Youth Orchestra.
International punk rockers Rise Against headline on 1 December, with fellow American band Dropkick Murphys and Haywire completing the bill.
James Blake follows on 2 December, with Xmunashe providing support, before DMA’S take over the Forecourt on 3 December. The Sydney performance is being billed by the band as its largest show to date, with Automatic joining the line-up.
“Big respect to the Opera House for having us. It’s a great stage with a lot of history. This is the biggest show we’ve put together so we’re stoked to have the privilege – see you this summer,” DMA’S said.
British alternative rock band Wolf Alice will perform on 4 December, supported by Australian acts Folk Bitch Trio and Swapmeet.
Dizzee Rascal takes the headline position on 5 December, with Example, ArrDee and Swaglord Savannah joining the bill. That performance has already sold out.
Country singer-songwriter Dylan Gossett brings his Australian appearance to the Forecourt on 6 December, supported by The Jack Wharff Band.
Suki Waterhouse will perform on 8 December, beginning the Australian leg of her Loveland tour. Her support act is yet to be announced.
Spacey Jane have secured two consecutive nights on 10 and 11 December. Both performances have sold out, with Telenova and Armlock appearing as support on each evening.
The Amity Affliction will close the 2026 series on 12 December, joined by Thornhill and WAAX for a final night that brings together three Australian heavy music acts.
Beyond the concert programme, On The Steps will continue its partnership with Support Act, the Australian music industry’s charity supporting musicians and music workers experiencing financial and personal hardship.
The organisation provides short-term financial assistance and mental health support to people working in music who are affected by illness, injury, mental health challenges or other personal crises that prevent them from earning an income.
Official On The Steps merchandise will be available throughout the series, with 100 per cent of merchandise proceeds directed to Support Act. Concertgoers will also have the opportunity to make voluntary donations when purchasing tickets.
Live Nation is extending the fundraising opportunity beyond the Forecourt series, with donations available on any Live Nation show in Australia throughout November 2026.
Support Act CEO Clive Miller said the partnership recognises the importance of supporting the people working behind the scenes in the Australian music industry.
“On The Steps is a celebration of live music and our partnership with the event series is a chance to give back to the people who make it possible. We’re grateful to Live Nation for continuing this partnership and to every fan who buys a T-shirt or makes a donation. Funds raised through the series help Support Act to provide short-term financial relief and mental health support to music workers in crisis,” Miller said.
The campaign also connects with AusMusic T-Shirt Day on Thursday 26 November 2026. Supported by Live Nation, the annual initiative encourages Australians to wear a T-shirt representing their favourite Australian artist, organise fundraising activities or make a donation to Support Act.
With Australian Crawl opening the programme, international names including Rise Against, James Blake, Wolf Alice and Dizzee Rascal, and Australian favourites Spacey Jane and The Amity Affliction, the 2026 On The Steps programme covers a broad range of contemporary and heritage music.
The expanded Forecourt season also provides another opportunity to direct live music audiences towards the welfare of the people who sustain the industry. For Support Act, the merchandise and donation campaign will turn part of the audience’s participation into practical assistance for music workers experiencing hardship.
Tickets for remaining On The Steps performances are available through Live Nation. Dizzee Rascal on 5 December and both Spacey Jane performances on 10 and 11 December are sold out.
ON THE STEPS 2026
28 November – Australian Crawl with Boom Crash Opera
29 November – Ausify Presents Pub Choir’s Ultimate PDA with Ben Lee and Miles Phillips (Eastern Rosellas), accompanied by Australian Youth Orchestra
1 December – Rise Against with Dropkick Murphys and Haywire
2 December – James Blake with Xmunashe
3 December – DMA’S with Automatic
4 December – Wolf Alice with Folk Bitch Trio and Swapmeet
5 December – Dizzee Rascal with Example, ArrDee and Swaglord Savannah (Sold Out)
6 December – Dylan Gossett with The Jack Wharff Band
8 December – Suki Waterhouse (Support TBA)
10 December – Spacey Jane with Telenova and Armlock (Sold Out)
11 December – Spacey Jane with Telenova and Armlock (Sold Out)
12 December – The Amity Affliction with Thornhill and WAAX
Tickets: https://www.livenation.com.au/on-the-steps
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