Gig tripping in 2024. The beat of a drum. A sweaty dance floor. A festival packed with like-minded people. Live music is everything.
Music has been bringing people together since the dawn of time. And today clubs, music venues, and festivals all over the world continue the tradition. If you throw live music in when you’re travelling the globe (we’re calling it gig tripping), you’ll enjoy unique experiences, meet new people, and have the time of your life.
The Rise of Gig-tripping
A third (32%) of Aussie travellers are happy to travel short haul to see their favourite artist live (let’s call them super fans). Up to 16% would even travel long haul (super super fans). And a huge 40% would consider a singalong overseas if it would help them save money. We love that dedication to the music. It could be a quick hop over the Tasman to Wellington to see Fat Freddy’s Drop again or an unforgettable trip to Las Vegas to see Adele. Plus, if you can find cheaper gig tickets overseas and a no-frills airline to get you there, it’s a no-brainer.
Jarrod Kris, Skyscanner’s Travel Expert shares:“It’s well known that cultural activities such as festivals, can be a major drive for tourism, in fact it was not too long ago that Aussies got hit with the Taylor Swift wave thanks to her world tour. Music can bring people together from all walks of life and so it’s a great way for travellers to experience the heart of a place and really understand the local culture. So many iconic locations are founded on music (Nashville, Liverpool, New Orleans), capturing our memories perfectly in their melodic charm. Not to mention all the songs about travelling. ‘Come fly with me’, has been covered by major artists in every decade since it was released in the 50s!”
Domestic gig-tripping and festivals
A quarter of Aussie travellers (24%) said they plan to attend a gig, music concert or festival at home in Australia in 2024, rising to 46% of 25-34-year-olds. Gig-tripping at home is super fun. You can hit up another city, experience a new place, or visit a favourite spot once again, all with fantastic music thrown in too. And if your budget doesn’t allow overseas travel, don’t worry. Head to one of these festivals at home instead.
BASSINTHEGRASS
Big bass
Mindil Beach, Northern Territory
2025 dates coming soon
The largest festival in the Northern Territory, BASSINTHEGRASS takes advantage of the dry season weather at its best (no gumboots in sight) and brings the big bass and tropical festival vibes. Don’t miss the sunset beach disco.
Yours and Owls
Eclectic
Wollongong, NSW
14-15 October
This annual music festival in Wollongong has grown from a gallery, coffee shop, and restaurant space to a full-blown two-day music and arts fest. Running since 2014, it was voted NSW Live Event of the Year in 2019. It’s diverse, intimate, and always fun.
Strawberry Fields
Diverse
Tocumwal, NSW
Watch out for Nov dates!
Just a few hours outside Melbourne, this electronic music festival hosts a diverse selection of both renowned and breakthrough artists from around the world. Alongside the soul-shaking sound, there are art installations, a Bush Spa, live performance art, a beach, and the Murray River for swimming.
Subsonic
Lush and picturesque
Riverwood Downs, NSW
8-9 December
Spend three days tucked away in a lush green valley with a picturesque backdrop of Barrington Tops at Subsonic. Started by Scott Commens, founder of Sydney label Subsonic Music, it features the best of house, breaks, electro, techno, and UK bass music.
Beyond the Valley
Boutique
Barunah Plains Homestead, VIC
27 December – 1 January
See the new year in style at Beyond the Valley in the Barunah Plains Homestead in Hesse, Victoria. This boutique festival has grown into an annual party-goers haven. It features a carefully crafted selection of local and international artists performing across three distinctly designed, purpose-built stages.
Lost Paradise
Small-scale and intimate
Glenworth Valley, NSW
28 December – 1 January
Make your way to Paradise and celebrate New Year’s Eve with like-minded people at this small-scale event that’s inspired by the likes of Secret Garden Party and Bestival in the UK. This electronic festival has a mix of DJs and live acts across two stages, plus art installations, yoga, and culinary delights.
Top 10 gig-tripping cities within Australia
We’d all love to travel the world taking in gig after gig. But it can get expensive. And we can’t ignore the amazing musical cities right here in Australia. For a cheaper gig-tripping experience, consider one of these local gems.
Melbourne
Super cool
We all know Melbourne is a super cool city with DIY music spots popping up all around Brunswick Street. Hitting up Melbourne in 2024 means the chance to catch some of its 916 live gigs. The round trip for flights, car hire, and hotel will set you back just $342 too.
Sydney
Classic
It could be opera at the Sydney Opera House (yes, the acoustics are that good), or something a little more down and dirty at venues including Oxford Art Factory, The Enmore or Crowbar. In 2024, Sydney is set to host 645 live gigs, whilst the round trip costs just $321.
Brisbane
Banging Brizzy
Take the trip to Brizzy to take in one of the 568 live gigs in 2024 at top venues including the likes of Fortitude Music Hall, The Junk Bar, Greaser, and The Zoo. And with a round trip cost of just $370 for flights, hotel, and car hire, it’s a budget-saver too.
Adelaide
Hidden gem
Whilst it might not be as famous as the likes of Sydney and Melbourne, Adelaide holds its own in the live music stakes with venues including Memphis Slim’s House of Blues, Thebarton Theatre (the Thebby), and Hindley Street Music Hall. There are 310 live gigs in 2024 and the round trip will cost you $326.
Perth
Always worth it
Hit up WA for a live music extravaganza in Perth. The city will host 292 live gigs in 2024 at venues including The Astor Theatre, The Bird, and The Ellington Jazz Club. The round trip will set you back $465 on average.
Top worldwide gig-tripping destinations
Sometimes the trip of a lifetime is the one where you step out of your comfort zone. Gig-tripping is all about the thrill of experiencing live music overseas. You’ll get to see artists who haven’t made it to Australia yet and take in a whole host of live gigs in one trip. These are the top cities in the world to do it.
London
Step into one of the most iconic cities in the world for an unprecedented music scene. England’s capital city will host 6,836 live shows in venues across the city in 2024. From The Royal Albert Hall and Ronnie Scott’s to Village Underground and the Camden Roundhouse, London has grassroots venues right up to epic spots.
Los Angeles
Live music is everything in LA, and with 3,976 live gigs in 2024 there’s so much to see. Head to famous music venues including The Greek Theatre, The Troubadour, Whisky a Go Go, The Viper Room, and more for the best acts and some celeb-spotting too.
Paris
The City of Light is a haven for live music, with 3,233 live gigs this year held across Paris. Festivals include the likes of Rock en Seine and the Paris Jazz Festival. On your gig-tripping visit to Paris, check out famous live music venues including La Cigale, La Maroquinerie, Olympia, and Petit Bain.
San Francisco
San Fran has a real music history, from the jazz of the 50s and 60s to the free love and psychedelia of the hippie movement around Haight-Ashbury in the 60s. Today, you’ll find popular spots and top nightclubs like Public Works and smaller venues including The Saloon and Atlas Café. Plus, there are 2,188 live gigs in the city in 2024.
Vancouver
Cheapest month to fly: September
Such a fun spot to visit, Vancouver is one of the top music cities in Canada. It’s home to festivals including The Vancouver Folk Music Festival and Coast City Country. In 2024, the city will host 606 live gigs at venues including The Commodore Ballroom, Rickshaw Theatre, and The Vogue Theatre.
Cheapest Flights From:
Skyscanner’s top tips for gig tripping in 2024
Get yourself prepped for any type of festival anywhere in the world with our Skyscanner Ultimate Festival Guide. You’ll find out when to go, what to expect, and what to pack for a festival in the USA and in Europe. We’ll also throw in some top travel tips too.
Travel tips for music festivals
- Get travel insurance: Check you’re covered for all activities you want to do. Gadget cover for smartphones is essential too.
- Bring a power block: It’s the easiest way to keep your smartphone charged up.
- Have extra cash: Bring an emergency fund in case there are no ATMs on site. Keep it away from your spending cash and only dip in if you need to.
- Wet wipes are your friends: Who knows how long the shower queues are?
- Check the accommodation options: For some music festivals in Europe there’s camping onsite, for others you might need to book a hotel or apartment in the city. Make sure you know what your options are and book it in advance.
- Understand your baggage allowance: Choose a good backpack that maximizes your baggage allowance without being too bulky.
- Know what you can and can’t bring: Gas canisters are a no-no on flights.
Get the best deals when gig-tripping:
Do your research: We have tools to not only find the cheapest month to fly to a destination but also the cheapest day within that month. A little flexibility goes a long way for your budget.
When to book your accommodation: Book last-minute for a quiet destination at a quiet time of year. Book early for a busy destination at a busy time of year.
Pack more into one trip: Rather than booking multiple trips in one year, visiting a few spots in one trip can save money. Whether European cities or places closer to home in Australia.
Feel the beat and get into the rhythm with a trip to experience the best of music in 2024.
Thinking of booking a festival or gig trip? Skyscanner can help you find the best flights, hotels and car hire deals or your next trip.
*According to Songkick, these cities have the most live music events happening in 2024
**Average prices for flights, hotels and car-hire are based on bookings made on Skyscanner between 1st – 31st July 2024, however these are subject to change. For live pricing go to Skyscanner.
