RISING 2025: Expanding Melbourne’s Cultural Footprint with a Multi-Venue, 327-Artist Festival

As one of Melbourne’s most significant cultural events, RISING has firmly established itself as a global force in the arts and music festival circuit. The 2025 program, announced today, sees the festival expand its scope with 65 events, 327 artists, 15 new commissions, and 9 world premieres, running from June 4th–15th.

The festival’s strategic growth is reflected in its music programming, securing high-profile bookings like Suki Waterhouse, Beth Gibbons, Japanese Breakfast, and Mount Kimbie, alongside boundary-pushing underground acts. Day Tripper, the multi-venue pass event, continues to grow, offering attendees an eight-hour journey through multiple spaces, from Melbourne Town Hall to the newly minted PICA venue.

A key element of RISING’s industry appeal lies in its commitment to commissioning and premiering new works. This year, Shohei Fujimoto’s kinetic laser installation, Intangible Form, will be the festival’s largest art piece to date, while the viral Space Out competition by Woopsyang brings a uniquely interactive performance element. Over at Federation Square, BLOCKBUSTER, a massive South Asian arts and music takeover, highlights RISING’s expanding commitment to diverse and cross-cultural programming.

For music industry professionals, RISING 2025 serves as both a showcase and testing ground for emerging artists. The revival of the Little Bands scene - curated by Chapter Music, Liquid Architecture, and Cease + Desist - celebrates Melbourne’s underground music legacy, providing a platform for independent musicians across punk, indie, and electronic genres.

The festival’s growing economic impact has also drawn government support. Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks praised RISING as a “key cultural and tourism driver for Victoria,” highlighting its role in stimulating Melbourne’s nighttime economy and positioning the city as an international hub for live music and performance art.

With a strong investment in new commissions, a diverse lineup spanning global icons and local talent, and an ever-growing festival footprint, RISING 2025 is poised to further elevate Melbourne’s status as a cultural powerhouse on the global stage.

Pre-sale tickets launch March 14th, with general sales opening March 17th via rising.melbourne.