If you’re an alternative or heavy music fan in Australia, then Soundwave would have been on your list of big festivals in the lucky country. It was one of the biggest events for punk, rock and metal fans throughout the years, and some of my most memorable times were attending and playing this very special festival. 

It brought some of the biggest and most iconic bands to Australia while providing a platform for local acts to get their chance on the big stage until its founder AJ Maddah cancelled it in 2015 due to poor ticket sales, but its eight-year run had an undeniably massive impact on our heavy and alternative scenes. This post will look at the festival year-by-year, including a full list of artists and some highlights.

The Festival Lineups and Events Year-By-Year

The Soundwave Festival started in Perth as a smaller event called Gravity Soundwave, which was part of the Gravity Games which was an event focused on water and action sports. In its first year, Vodafone came on board as a sponsor, investing $1 million into the event which brought a budget to make things a little more exciting. This helped launch Gravity Soundwave which was the festival’s music component, sporting performances from some national and international acts.

Gravity Soundwave Lineup 2004-2006: Humble Beginnings

So before Soundwave hit other states, in Perth the early years kicked off with American punk/pop-punk rockers Good Charlotte as headliners alongside other big names like Gyroscope and One Dollar Short. Then they had another night featuring a lineup of Unwritten Law, Regurgitator, MxPx, Lagwagon, and Last Year’s Hero.

Full 2004 Lineup: Good Charlotte, Lagwagon, MxPx, Unwritten Law
Local acts: Gyroscope, One Dollar Short, Last Years Hero, Regurgitator

Full 2005 Lineup: Goldfinger, Reel Big Fish, Unwritten Law
Local acts: Gyroscope, Cog, Grinspoon

Full 2006 Lineup: Aiden, Goodnight Nurse
Local acts: Gyroscope, Kisschasy, Parkway Drive, The Getaway Plan

Soundwave Lineup 2007: Start of the Alternative Revolution

Soundwave went interstate in 2007, expanding beyond Western Australia to include shows in Brisbane and Sydney. The lineup grew that year, featuring more bands while still bringing back some familiar faces from previous festivals. At the time, its only real competition was The Big Day Out, but since that festival didn’t focus on punk and metal, Soundwave carved out its own niche in the music scene market, gradually bringing more interest.

Full 2007 Lineup: Deftones, +44, As Tall as Lions, Unwritten Law, Thrice, MxPx, Suicidal Tendencies, Hatebreed, Juliette and the Licks, The Bronx, Eighteen Visions, Parkway Drive, Something with Numbers, Flyleaf, Terror, Behind Crimson Eyes, Houston Calls, Trial Kennedy, Forgive Durden, Hit the Lights, Drive-By, Blindspott

Local acts:

Brisbane: Doctor Octopus, The Disables, Say Nothing
Sydney: Angelas Dish, Regular John, Fifty Sixx
Perth: Stars Don’t Fall, Calerway, Avalore

Soundwave 2008: Expansion to Melbourne and Adelaide

After a successful 2007, Soundwave stepped things up in 2008, expanding its lineup and bringing in bigger international acts. That year, bands like Incubus, The Offspring, and Killswitch Engage hit the stage, and fans couldn’t wait to see them. Hosting these artists in a festival setting was a game-changer, proving the Land Down Under had a real appetite for alternative music.

Full 2008 Lineup: The Offspring, Incubus, Killswitch Engage, Alexisonfire, Thursday, Infectious Grooves, Plain White T’s, Motion City Soundtrack, Sugarcult, Saosin, Mindless Self-Indulgence, As I Lay Dying, From Autumn to Ashes, The Starting Line, The Fall of Troy, Shadows Fall, Boys Like Girls, Bleeding Through, Halifax, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, mewithoutYou, The Matches, The Receiving End of Sirens, Haste the Day, All Time Low, Mae, Still Remains, As Tall as Lions, City and Colour, Cartel, Madina Lake, Kevin Devine, Socratic, Envy on the Coast, The Dear Hunter, My American Heart, Divine Heresy, Jim Ward, Carpathian

Local acts:

Brisbane: The Amity Affliction, Take 21, The Gift Horse
Sydney: Trial Kennedy
Melbourne: Capeside, Donnie Dureau
Adelaide: In Fiction, City Riots
Perth: Break Even, Eleventh He Reaches London, An Evening at Elmwood, Anime Fire

Soundwave 2009 – Bigger Momentum and Bigger Bands

With Australian audiences proving there was a strong demand for alternative music, promoter AJ Maddah took things up a notch, delivering an even bigger and more diverse lineup. Nine Inch Nails headlined the festival, joined by a mix of heavy hitters like Dillinger Escape Plan, Underoath, and Poison The Well. I didn’t attend this one myself, but it made waves—between the glowing reviews and extensive media coverage, Soundwave was officially on the map and me and my friends took notice.

Full 2009 Lineup: Nine Inch Nails, Alice in Chains, Bloodhound Gang, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Scars on Broadway, Rival Schools, Lamb of God, Finch, Alkaline Trio, Billy Talent, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Face to Face, In Flames, Anberlin, The Subways, Every Time I Die, DevilDriver, Funeral for a Friend, Less Than Jake, Madina Lake, New Found Glory, From First to Last, Bedouin Soundclash, Hellogoodbye, Poison the Well, Goldfinger, Say Anything, Unearth, Bayside, Chiodos, Silverstein, Saves the Day, Lacuna Coil, 36 Crazyfists, Straylight Run, Evergreen Terrace, Minus the Bear, Moneen, Ace Enders (The Early November), I Am the Avalanche, Jaguar Love, Emery, Houston Calls, The Audition, Attack in Black, InnerPartySystem, Valencia, Alesana, The Riverboat Gamblers, Horse the Band, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, Underoath, Forever the Sickest Kids, All That Remains, Jack’s Mannequin, Mike Herrera, International Superheroes of Hardcore

Local acts:

Brisbane: Forlorn Gaze, The Amity Affliction
Sydney: Mission in Motion, Mary Jane Kelly
Melbourne: Stealing O’Neal, House Vs. Hurricane
Adelaide: Double Dragon, Isle of Capri
Perth: Elora Danan

Soundwave 2010 – Punk and Metal Legends Join Forces

The 2010 Soundwave festival was an unforgettable mix of punk rock and heavy metal, and it was also the first one I had the chance to experience firsthand. Some of my favourite bands at the time—The Devil Wears Prada, Architects, Escape The Fate, and Trivium—delivered incredible performances that left a lasting impact on me, even inspiring my own musical journey. One of my best memories was crowd-surfing during the Architects’ set as they played Hollow Crown in full. It was a year to remember.

Full 2010 Lineup: Faith No More, My Chemical Romance, Jimmy Eat World, Jane’s Addiction, Placebo, AFI, Paramore, HIM, Alexisonfire, Taking Back Sunday, Trivium, Sunny Day Real Estate, Eagles of Death Metal, The Get Up Kids, Enter Shikari, Reel Big Fish, Meshuggah, Anthrax, Glassjaw, All Time Low, You Me at Six, A Day to Remember, It Dies Today, Escape the Fate, Clutch, Set Your Goals, Anti-Flag, Isis, Gallows, A Wilhelm Scream, The Weakerthans, Emarosa, Motion City Soundtrack, Anvil, Architects, The Devil Wears Prada, Comeback Kid, The Almost, Dance Gavin Dance, Four Year Strong, Shinedown, Whitechapel, The Aquabats, This Is Hell, Maximum the Hormone, Rolo Tomassi, Baroness, Rx Bandits, The Creepshow

Local acts:

Brisbane: Too Late Escape, Adelle
Sydney: Heroes for Hire
Melbourne: Death Audio
Adelaide: ISAW
Perth: Vanity

Soundwave 2011 – The Reign Continues

In 2011, Soundwave went even bigger, with metal legends Iron Maiden headlining the festival. Thanks to its sheer size and diversity, this was easily one of the most memorable Soundwave lineups ever. Bands like Queens of the Stone Age and 30 Seconds to Mars brought incredible performances, adding to the festival’s growing reputation. With a mix of local and international acts across different genres, Soundwave was no longer just another festival—it had officially become a household name.

Full 2011 Lineup: Iron Maiden, Queens of the Stone Age, Slayer, Rob Zombie, Primus, Slash, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Bullet for My Valentine, One Day as a Lion, Stone Sour, Avenged Sevenfold, Sum 41, Third Eye Blind, Murderdolls, Social Distortion, Millencolin, Gang of Four, New Found Glory, Pennywise, Bring Me the Horizon, Anberlin, Dimmu Borgir, The Gaslight Anthem, Coheed and Cambria, DevilDriver, Monster Magnet, Sevendust, Less Than Jake, The Bronx, The Amity Affliction, Silverstein, Terror, MxPx, Protest the Hero, Melvins, 36 Crazyfists, Ill Niño, The Ataris, Fucked Up, Bayside, Feeder, The Starting Line, H2O, Mad Caddies, The Maine, Saxon, Trash Talk, Mayday Parade, Foxy Shazam, The Rocket Summer, Never Shout Never, The Blackout, Polar Bear Club, Asking Alexandria, All That Remains, High on Fire, Dommin, The Sword, Kylesa, We the Kings, Blessthefall, There for Tomorrow, Breathe Carolina, Taking Dawn, I See Stars, Rise to Remain, Nonpoint, Veara, Every Avenue, This Town Needs Guns, International Superheroes of Hardcore

Local acts:

Brisbane: Tria Mera, Friends with the Enemy
Sydney: Blatherskite
Melbourne: Anchors
Adelaide: Paper Arms
Perth: Sensory Amusia, Lacrymae, Chainsaw Hookers

Soundwave 2012 – More Metal Downunder

For metal fans, 2012 was an absolute feast. With System of a Down, Slipknot, and Limp Bizkit headlining, Soundwave hit new heights. Machine Head, Trivium, and Bad Religion brought the heavy riffs, while Marilyn Manson added his signature raw energy to the mix. This year’s lineup leaned even harder into the heavier side of music, and it absolutely delivered.

Full 2012 Lineup: System of a Down, Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, Marilyn Manson, A Day to Remember, Hole, Bush, Machine Head, Lamb of God, Bad Religion, Mastodon, Trivium, Alter Bridge, In Flames, Lostprophets, Staind, Switchfoot, Angels & Airwaves, The Used, Cobra Starship, Wednesday 13, You Me at Six, Devin Townsend Project, Coal Chamber, Unearth, Unwritten Law, Strung Out, Dashboard Confessional, Thursday, Raised Fist, Dillinger Escape Plan, Black Label Society, Underoath, Saves the Day, Circa Survive, Steel Panther, The Black Dahlia Murder, Kids in Glass Houses, Meshuggah, The Pretty Reckless, Cathedral, Paradise Lost, Shadows Fall, Tonight Alive, Jack’s Mannequin, Fireworks, Zebrahead, Enter Shikari, The Sisters of Mercy, Four Year Strong, Black Veil Brides, Madina Lake, Forever the Sickest Kids, Hatebreed, Biohazard, Motionless in White, In This Moment, Break Even, Heaven Shall Burn, CKY, Times of Grace, Street Dogs, Kvelertak, Gojira, Hyro Da Hero, letlive., Hellyeah, Cro-Mags, Holy Grail, Your Demise, Kittie, A Rocket to the Moon, The Ready Set, The Menzingers, Dream On, Dreamer, Attack Attack!, Dredg, The Smoking Hearts, The Summer Set, The Cab, Black Tide, Relient K, VersaEmerge, Heroes for Hire, Kill Hannah, Chimaira, Watain, Conditions, The Dangerous Summer, Royal Republic, These Kids Wear Crowns, Framing Hanley, I am The Avalanche, Turisas, Cherri Bomb, River City Extension, Mission in Motion

Local acts:

Brisbane: Milestones
Sydney: The Sweet Apes
Melbourne: Aitches
Adelaide: Admella
Perth: Sensory Amusia

Soundwave 2013 – Rock Royalty

While 2012 delivered a heavy-hitting lineup, 2013 took things to another level with Metallica and System of a Down headlining the festival. Just when it seemed like Soundwave couldn’t get any bigger, AJ Maddah pulled off the impossible, putting together one of the most stacked lineups in the festival’s history. Slayer, Bring Me The Horizon, Bullet For My Valentine, and even Linkin Park were all part of the mix. This year was an absolute dream for metal fans across Australia and is still remembered as one of the festival’s greatest moments.

Lineup: Metallica, Linkin Park, Blink-182, A Perfect Circle, The Offspring, Paramore, Slayer, Garbage, Anthrax, Killswitch Engage, Cypress Hill, Bullet for My Valentine, Tomahawk, Stone Sour, Bring Me the Horizon, Kyuss Lives!, Sum 41, DragonForce, All Time Low, Flogging Molly, Ghost, Duff McKagan’s Loaded, Billy Talent, Motion City Soundtrack, Mindless Self-Indulgence, The Amity Affliction, The Vandals, Sick of It All, Kingdom of Sorrow, Fozzy, The Lawrence Arms, Sleeping With Sirens, Cancer Bats, The Blackout, Gallows, Madball, Fucked Up, Vision of Disorder, Pierce the Veil, Periphery, The Sword, Shai Hulud, Of Mice & Men, This Is Hell, Miss May I, Danko Jones, Lucero, Woe, Is Me, The Wonder Years, Polar Bear Club, While She Sleeps, Cerebral Ballzy, The Early November, Such Gold, Six Feet Under, The Dear Hunter, Chelsea Grin, Deaf Havana, Red Fang, Versus The World, The Chariot, Blood On The Dance Floor, Confession, Orange Goblin, Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!, Sylosis, Memphis May Fire, Crossfaith, Northlane, Dr. Acula, Sharks, O’Brother, Milestones, Living With Lions, Puscifer, Malakyte

Local acts:

Brisbane: The Schoenberg Automaton
Sydney: Born Lion
Melbourne: Party Vibez
Adelaide: Life Pilot

Soundwave 2014 – A Nostalgic Feast

Soundwave 2014 was a nostalgic ride, bringing a lineup that, while not as massive as the previous year, was still packed with legends. Green Day, Avenged Sevenfold, and Alice in Chains headlined, while iconic bands like Korn, Stone Temple Pilots, and AFI delivered standout performances.

For me, this year was extra special—I had the incredible opportunity to play the festival as part of Sierra, one of the local acts in Adelaide. That meant a backstage pass, and naturally, I spent most of my time soaking in performances from the side stage. Some of my personal highlights were watching Dillinger Escape Plan, Trash Talk, and A Day To Remember up close. It was an unforgettable experience. I did try to get backstage for Green Day but unfortunately, security kicked me out (I wasn’t VIP enough for that one).

Full 2014 Lineup: Green Day, Avenged Sevenfold, Alice in Chains, A Day to Remember, Richie Sambora, Stone Temple Pilots, The Living End, Rob Zombie, Megadeth, Mastodon, Placebo, HIM, AFI, Korn, Alter Bridge, Trivium, Pennywise, Jimmy Eat World, Down, Devildriver, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Glassjaw, Panic! at the Disco, Eagles of Death Metal, Less Than Jake, Mayday Parade, Asking Alexandria, Biffy Clyro, Newsted, Sevendust, Filter, Rocket from the Crypt, Baroness, Suicide Silence, Clutch, Alkaline Trio, The Ghost Inside, The Porkers, Gojira, Desaparecidos, ††† (Crosses), Zebrahead, Five Finger Death Punch, Satyricon, August Burns Red, Testament, Ill Niño, Living Colour, Mutemath, Black Veil Brides, Letlive, I Killed the Prom Queen, Motionless In White, GWAR, The Black Dahlia Murder, Mushroomhead, Finch, Authority Zero, Dream On, Dreamer, Stiff Little Fingers, Thy Art Is Murder, Graveyard, Pulled Apart by Horses, Nancy Vandal, Bowling for Soup, Trash Talk, Skindred, Dir En Grey, Volbeat, Amon Amarth, Terror, Whitechapel, Defiler, TesseracT, Deez Nuts, The Story So Far, 10 Years, In Hearts Wake, Breathe Carolina, Hardcore Superstar, I Call Fives, Hacktivist, Walking Papers, Our Last Night, Coliseum, Devil You Know, Your Demise, Soil, Heaven’s Basement, The BossHoss, Nostalghia, DARKC3II, Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats, The Defiled, Real Friends, Upon a Burning Body, The Dangerkids

Local acts:

Brisbane: Chronolyth, HELM
Sydney: Red Bee, Trophy Eyes
Melbourne: The Bennies, King Parrot, Ceres
Adelaide: Truth Corroded, Sierra, Se Bon Ki Ra
Perth: Xenobiotic, Chaos Divine, Make Them Suffer

Soundwave 2015 – Soundwave’s Farewell

The last-ever Soundwave Festival took place in 2015, though at the time, none of us knew it would be the end. Behind the scenes, financial troubles were mounting, and by 2016, the festival was cancelled due to budget issues and unpaid debts.

That final year, though, felt like business as usual, and fans got to experience an epic two-day event packed with performances. Slipknot, Faith No More, and Soundgarden headlined, each delivering unforgettable sets. With the biggest lineup in Soundwave history, the weekend was a non-stop celebration of live music—one last hurrah before the festival faded into legend.

Day One Lineup: Faith No More, Soundgarden, Incubus, Lamb of God, Ministry, Antemasque, Gerard Way, New Found Glory, Fear Factory, Steel Panther, Falling in Reverse, DragonForce, Hollywood Undead, One Ok Rock, Atreyu, The Devil Wears Prada, Godflesh, The Aquabats, Area-7, Ne Obliviscaris, Mayhem, Lower Than Atlantis, Bayside, Nothing More, He Is Legend, Fireworks, King Parrot, Crown the Empire, Icon for Hire, Emily’s Army/Swimmers, Rival Sons, The Interrupters, Monuments, The Color Morale, Sleepwave, Patent Pending, The Bennies, Raglans, Deathstars, The Treatment, Terror Universal

Day Two Lineup: Slipknot, The Smashing Pumpkins, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, Marilyn Manson, Fall Out Boy, Judas Priest, Millencolin, All Time Low, Godsmack, Killer Be Killed, Exodus, Tonight Alive, The Vandals, Lagwagon, Papa Roach, Of Mice & Men, Escape The Fate, The Wonder Years, Twin Atlantic, Animals As Leaders, Apocalyptica, Fucked Up, Evergreen Terrace, Nonpoint, Crossfaith, Butcher Babies, King 810, The Swellers, Conditions, Confession, Coldrain, Le Butcherettes, Dayshell, This Wild Life

Local acts:

Brisbane: Columbus
Sydney: Bare Bones
Melbourne: I, Valiance
Adelaide: A Ghost Orchestra

The Legacy of Soundwave

Taking Soundwave from its inception to where it is today was no simple task, and AJ Maddeh worked tirelessly with his team to coordinate this massive array of bands to bring to Australian shores. While it ended prematurely and without the greatest of circumstances, it gave international acts big and small the chance to experience the energy of Australian fans and the local supporters to get some much-needed exposure.

Similar to the Big Day Out, Soundwave became the number-one festival for heavier music such as Punk, Metal and Rock. We can only imagine what it might have grown to today if it wasn’t for the logistical issues, financial hurdles and bad publicity that didn’t lead to its imminent shutdown. That being said, the legacy will still remain, and heavy music fans and bands alike will surely reminisce about the festival. It was certainly one of the most memorable moments for me performing at and attending this festival.