THIS August, the thunder returns. The Westernport Hotel in San Remo is gearing up for the fourth instalment of Arockalypse—a festival that has carved out its own furious identity in Victoria’s live music scene. On August 2, 2025, the amps go up to eleven once more as Arockalypse IV explodes with an even grittier lineup, a regional arts grant backing it, and a clear message: chaos is an art form, and it’s alive on the coast.
The night will be nothing short of an auditory onslaught. Eleven original bands—six local and five Melbourne powerhouses—will tear through the main stage, including Hot Machine, Willie J’s 6v6’s, Pizza Death, Space Junk, Laura and the Hell Cutz, The Dropkicks, The Foxy Junes, Ratbird, Boxthorn, Book Runner, and Chrome Gypsy.
Festival organiser and local artist Nick Carver, whose relentless energy has driven the festival since its inception, says Arockalypse has become more than a gig—it’s a pulse point for original rock culture.
“It’s chaotic in the best possible way,” Nick said. “From the start, we wanted to give original bands a place to be loud, raw, and unapologetically themselves. Now, four years in, it feels like a movement.”
That movement just got official recognition. The 2025 Arockalypse was recently awarded a Regional Arts Grant, one of only seven recipients in all of Victoria.
“We’re one of only seven recipients in Victoria, so it’s a massive win!” said Nick. “It’s a real nod to the legitimacy of what we’re building here—not just for San Remo, but for regional rock in general.”
This year’s Arockalypse embraces its expanding scope. From punk fury to psych rock and experimental breakdowns, each band is a piece of the puzzle—loud, unpredictable, and passionately original.
As with every Arockalypse, it’s the crowd that transforms the night.
“Every band feeds off the energy in that room,” Nick explains. It’s like plugging into the wall. People don’t just watch—they throw themselves into the music, into the moment.
An immersive community vibe, and a surge of regional pride, Arockalypse IV promises not only to shake the walls, but to shift the culture, and open the stage to bands that are ready to share their talent.
Tickets are on sale now via thewesternport.com.au.
