Australia’s favourite boutique music festival is back and it’s louder, bolder, and bigger than ever. Handpicked Festival returns to the lush vineyards of Lake Breeze Wines this November, with its most iconic homegrown lineup yet, headlined by none other than Aussie hip hop royalty, Hilltop Hoods.
In their first-ever Handpicked appearance, the Hilltop Hoods are primed to bring the fire with a set stacked with fan favourites and fresh hits.
“Handpicked fans can expect nothing less than a high-energy, electrifying set that will leave them buzzing,” says event organiser Kate Cooper.
The trio will take crowd on a journey of their biggest hits like Leave Me Lonely, 1955 and Nose Bleed Section, plus their more recent singles Don’t Happy, Be Worry and The Gift.
It’s a debut that’s been years in the making – and it’s going to go off.
Also gracing the vineyard stage is genre-blending powerhouse Xavier Rudd, whose soulful mix of folk, blues, and reggae, paired with his multi-instrumental wizardry, promises a spine-tingling, spiritually charged set.
“Xavier Rudd’s career spans longer than 20 years in the music industry, we feel fairly special to think he will be playing in our backyard,” says Kate.
After weathering a storm-related cancellation in a previous year, The Rubens are making a triumphant return to Langhorne Creek, ready to bring the heat with their latest album SODA and a slew of anthemic crowd-pleasers.
“We couldn’t be more excited to finally have the guys up on our stage,” Kate remarks.
Festival-goers can also look forward to powerhouse vocalist Meg Mac, fresh off the success of her album Matter of Time and a dreamy duet with Matt Corby. Her soul-drenched performance is set to stir emotions and stop hearts.
And if you’re after a party? Look no further than Hot Dub Time Machine, the time-travelling DJ sensation who’ll take the crowd on an audiovisual journey through music’s greatest hits. After missing out due to a past cancellation, Tom Lowndes is ready to turn it all the way up.
Handpicked 2025 celebrates all the well-known headliners, but it also brings rising stars to the stage. Breakout artist Mia Wray will bring her brand of raw, emotive bedroom pop, while Marlon, the Darwin-born talent with Aboriginal Larrakia and Thursday Island roots, will deliver a deeply personal set rich in storytelling.
Also joining the lineup is Lotte Gallagher, a Triple J darling whose honeyed vocals are set to mesmerise the crowd.
But the fun doesn’t stop when the music ends. The festival’s new Wine Down Weekend invites punters to make a weekend of it. Think wine tastings, lazy vineyard lunches, and cosy local stays that showcase the very best of Langhorne Creek.
“Instead of just coming for the day, we want people to arrive early, explore Langhorne Creek, and indulge in the region’s best food, wine, and hospitality,” explains Kate.
Grab your friends, get your tickets and prepare for a day of music, wine, and unforgettable vibes under the sun at Lake Breeze Wines.
WHAT: Handpicked Festival
WHEN: November 8
For tickets, click here.
More News
