August Alt Event Guide! 🖤💀

Oh hey Beserkers! August is almost here and the Australian alternative scene is going OFF! 🔥 From heavy metal shows to Hello Kitty raves, you won't want to miss out on these incredible community events. No matter where you are in Australia, there's something worth getting dressed up for. Grab your tickers and let's make it a month to remember. ❤️

Handy Guide Legend
🎵 = Concert or music festival
🖤 = Shows ~ ballet and burlesque
⭐ = Event ~ emo night, convention, competition

❤️ Queensland - Brisbane

Let's start with our beloved home and base of operation - Brisbane, Queensland! Whether you're an avid gig-goer, or just someone who loves an excuse to dress up, these Brisbane events have you covered.

Aug 1 & 2 | Dracula Ballet 🖤
The iconic Dracula Ballet comes to QPAC — a stunning fusion of gothic storytelling and classical dance. A must-see for lovers of dark arts and theatrical spectacle.
Get Tickets →

Aug 6 | Wage War 🎵
Heavy hitters Wage War bring their crushing metalcore sound to Brisbane. If you like it loud, this one's for you.
Get Tickets →

Aug 8 | MX Burlesque 🖤
A boundary-pushing burlesque experience celebrating gender diversity, bold artistry, and unapologetic self-expression. 
Get Tickets →

Aug 11 | altimate.TOOTIE 🖤
TOOT TOOT! altimate.TOOTIE is calling! Get ready for unapologetic queer chaos and drag, burlesque and performance art excellence this Ekka Holidays.
Get Tickets →

Aug 14 | Holding Absence 🎵
Welsh post-hardcore favourites Holding Absence make their way to Brisbane. Emotional, powerful, and not to be missed.
Get Tickets →

Aug 15 | Emo Baddie Night ⭐
Your favourite emo-inspired club night is back. Come on baddies! Smudge your eyeliner and get ready for a night of bangers!
View Event →

Aug 15 & 16 | Parkway Drive 🎵
Two nights of Parkway Drive in Brisbane - Australia's metalcore legends doing what they do best. Get your tickets before they're gone.
Get Tickets →

Aug 21 | South Arcade 🎵
Indie-alternative favourites South Arcade bring their dreamy, emotive sound to Brisbane. A perfect mid-week escape.
Get Tickets →

Aug 21 | Clown Cabaret 🖤
Not your average night out - Brisbane's Clown Cabaret is a wildly creative, theatrical experience that's equal parts bizarre and brilliant. Dress up and embrace the chaos.
Get Tickets →

Aug 22 | Necrosonic Festival 🎵
THE ALTAR DEMANDS MORE! One of Brisbane's most beloved dark music festivals returns. Expect a killer lineup spanning goth, industrial, darkwave, and beyond. Bands include Rivers of Nihil, Psychroptic, The Berzerker, Segression, Helm, Minus Life, Lynchmada, Pestilential Shadows and many more! If you're in Brisbane on the 22nd, we hope to see you there 👀
Get Tickets →

Aug 22 | Ocean Grove 🎵
Alt-rock powerhouse Ocean Grove bring their genre-defying energy to Brisbane. Chaotic, creative, and completely unmissable.
Get Tickets →

Aug 28 | Y2K Cabaret 🖤
Featuring Bebe Gunn, Ellen Reed, and The Rubies Band - this Y2K-themed cabaret night is a glittery, nostalgic and sassy dream. Prepare for big vocals, big costumes and bigger energy.
Get Tickets →

Aug 30 | Monster Makeup Massacre — SFX Makeup Competition ⭐
Calling all SFX artists and makeup lovers! Netherworld Arcade hosts this epic special effects makeup competition. Come to compete or just to be amazed.
View Event →

💜 Victoria — Melbourne

Melbourne is a beating dark heart of Australia's alternative scene. The city is absolutely stacked so if you're in Melbourne, you're spoiled for choice.

Aug 2 | Wage War 🎵
Metalcore heavyweights Wage War kick off Melbourne's August with a bang. Loud, heavy, and absolutely relentless.
Get Tickets →

Aug 8 | Shrek Rave Melbourne ⭐
Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like, and yes it's going to be iconic. Grab your green face paint and get ready to party in the swamp. 
Get Tickets →

Aug 15 | Psycroptic + Rivers of Nihil 🎵
A brutal double bill for the death metal faithful. Psycroptic and Rivers of Nihil together on one stage - this is not one to sleep on.
Get Tickets →

Aug 15 | Ocean Grove 🎵
Melbourne's own alt-rock icons Ocean Grove bring the chaos home. Expect an electric hometown crowd and a set to remember.
Get Tickets →

Aug 16 | Holding Absence 🎵
Welsh post-hardcore favourites Holding Absence bring their emotional intensity to Melbourne. Powerful, cathartic, and not to be missed.
Get Tickets →

Aug 20 | South Arcade 🎵
Dreamy indie-alternative act South Arcade make their way to Melbourne. A perfect mid-week escape for the emotionally inclined.
Get Tickets →

Aug 24 | Emo Baddie Night ⭐
The emo club night that has everyone reaching for their eyeliner and fishnets is hitting Melbourne. Baddies only!
View Event →

Aug 24 & 25 | Parkway Drive 🎵
Two nights of Parkway Drive in Melbourne - need we say more? One of Australia's greatest heavy exports, live and in full force.
Get Tickets →

Aug 29 | Hello Kitty Rave ⭐
Kawaii meets club culture in the most adorable rave of the year. Pink outfits, bows, and bops all night long.
View Event →

Aug 29 & 30 | Animaga ⭐
Melbourne's beloved anime and pop culture convention returns for another massive weekend. Cosplay, merch, panels, and more.
Get Tickets →

🩵 New South Wales — Sydney

Sydney's alternative scene is firing up this August. From the Sydney Tattoo Convention to metalcore legends and emo club nights, what less do you expect from Australia's cultural hub?

Aug 7 | Wage War 🎵
Metalcore powerhouses Wage War bring their relentless energy to Sydney. Heavy, hard, and not to be missed.
Get Tickets →

Aug 7 - 9 | Sydney Tattoo Convention ⭐
One of Australia's biggest tattoo events returns for a massive three-day run. Whether you're getting inked or just soaking up the art, this is a must for the alt community.
Get Tickets →

Aug 15 | Holding Absence 🎵
Welsh post-hardcore favourites Holding Absence bring their emotional intensity to Sydney. Powerful, cathartic, and completely unmissable.
Get Tickets →

Aug 15 | Emo Baddie Night ⭐
Sydney gets its own Emo Baddie Night of course! Get ready for a night of certified bangers with a side of glitter.
View Event →

Aug 20 | Ocean Grove 🎵
Alt-rock chaos merchants Ocean Grove roll into Sydney with their genre-defying live show. Expect the unexpected.
Get Tickets →

Aug 21 | Psycroptic + Rivers of Nihil 🎵
A brutal death metal double bill comes to Sydney. Psycroptic and Rivers of Nihil on the same stage - this one's for the heavy faithful.
Get Tickets →

Aug 21 & 22 | Parkway Drive 🎵
Byron Bay's finest metalcore legends Parkway Drive hit Sydney for two massive nights.
Get Tickets →

Aug 23 | South Arcade 🎵
Indie-alternative dreamers South Arcade bring their emotive sound to Sydney. A perfect Sunday wind-down for the alt-inclined.
Get Tickets →

🩷 South Australia — Adelaide

Adelaide's alt community is thriving, and August proves it. From Parkway Drive kicking off the month to MX Burlesque closing it out, Adelaide is serving up a diverse and exciting line up!

Aug 1 | Wage War 🎵
Wage War kick off Adelaide's August with a crushing metalcore set. The perfect way to start the month.
Get Tickets →

Aug 4 & 5 | Parkway Drive 🎵
Parkway Drive bring two massive nights to Adelaide early in the month. Don't sleep on this — grab your tickets now.
Get Tickets →

Aug 8 | Hello Kitty Rave ⭐
The kawaii rave phenomenon hits Adelaide! Break out the pink and bows for a night of adorable chaos.
View Event →

Aug 14 | Psycroptic + Rivers of Nihil 🎵
A death metal double bill that Adelaide's heavy community has been waiting for. Psycroptic and Rivers of Nihil — brutal, relentless, unmissable.
Get Tickets →

Aug 14 | Ocean Grove 🎵
Alt-rock genre-benders Ocean Grove roll through Adelaide with their signature chaotic energy. A wild and wonderful live show.
Get Tickets →

Aug 15 | Emo Baddie Night ⭐
Adelaide's turn for the emo club night of the season. Eyeliner on, playlist ready — let's go.
View Event →

Aug 19 | Holding Absence 🎵
Welsh post-hardcore favourites Holding Absence bring their emotionally charged set to Adelaide. Powerful and not to be missed.
Get Tickets →

Aug 22 | MX Burlesque 🖤
A boundary-pushing burlesque experience celebrating gender diversity, bold artistry, and unapologetic self-expression. A perfect fit for the Beserk community.
Get Tickets →

💚 ACT — Canberra

Canberra's alt scene is intimate, passionate, and fiercely dedicated - and August brings two standout events to the capital. Whether you're into heavy music or pop culture conventions, there's a reason to get out and celebrate what makes this community so special.

Aug 1 | Metal Fiesta 🎵
Canberra's own Metal Fiesta kicks off the month with a celebration of all things heavy. Local and touring acts, loud music, and good people — the perfect way to start August.
Get Tickets →

Aug 15 & 16 | Oz Comic Con ⭐
Oz Comic Con comes to Canberra for a massive weekend of pop culture, cosplay, panels, and merch. Whether you're a seasoned cosplayer or just there to browse, it's a brilliant day out for the alt community.
Get Tickets →

🧡 Western Australia — Perth

Perth's alternative community is passionate, tight-knit, and ready to make August count. Kicking off with two nights of Parkway Drive and closing out with Holding Absence, WA's line up this month is absolutely worth showing up for. 

Aug 1 & 2 | Parkway Drive 🎵
Parkway Drive kick off Perth's August with two massive nights of metalcore. The perfect way to start the month — loud, heavy, and legendary.
Get Tickets →

Aug 13 | Ocean Grove 🎵
Alt-rock genre-benders Ocean Grove bring their chaotic, creative energy all the way to Perth. A show that never disappoints.
Get Tickets →

Aug 13 | Psycroptic + Rivers of Nihil 🎵
A brutal death metal double bill lands in Perth. Psycroptic and Rivers of Nihil on the same stage - this is a must for the heavy faithful.
Get Tickets →

Aug 15 | Emo Baddie Night ⭐
Calling all baddies! Perth gets its own Emo Baddie Night! Eyeliner, black fits, and certified bangers all night long.
View Event →

Aug 15 & 16 | Pixel Expo ⭐
Perth's gaming and pop culture expo is back for another massive weekend. Retro gaming, cosplay, collectibles, and community!
View Event →

Aug 20 | Holding Absence 🎵
Welsh post-hardcore favourites Holding Absence make the journey to Perth. Emotional, powerful, and absolutely worth it.
Get Tickets →

🖤 That's a Wrap on August!

What an absolutely crazy month for the Australian alt community and honestly, we're obsessed. Whether you're heading to your first gig or you've already got a full calendar of events locked in, we hope this guide helps you find your people and make some unforgettable memories this August! 🖤

If we missed an event in your city, drop it in the comments or tag us on socials - we'd love to keep this guide growing and do it every single month. The alt community across Australia is thriving, and we're here for every second of it.

Don't forget to check out the Beserk store for all your event outfit needs — because showing up is one thing, but showing up in the perfect fit is everything. ☠️🖤

Lots of love, Beserk xx