FESTIVAL: No Sleep Til Festival

Alternative punk, metal and hardcore fans rejoice...Christmas has come early! A new massive metal/punk touring festival under the name of ‘No Sleep Til’ is making its way around Australia/NZ this December with Auckland's ASB Showgrounds playing host on December 10th.

Make sure you’re sitting down before you read further.

Leading the charge for this historic event is seminal thrash-metal act MEGADETH, who will be performing their now-classic release 'RUST IN PEACE' in its entirety! Those lucky enough to witness Mustaine and co in action when last here in 2009 will attest that Megadeth are in their career best form, making this a once in a lifetime experience you don’t want to miss!

As musically impressive as they are entertaining, punk rock stalwarts NOFX are one of the few within their genre that have been able to remain creatively relevant throughout their career. Armed with a back catalogue that boasts as many hits as a backyard-boxing match, NOFX are, as always, guaranteed to deliver each and every night.

Fiercely loyal to their hometown of Boston, MA, everyone’s favourite working-class heroes DROPKICK MURPHYS, are now something of a household name in Australia with their socially-aware punk rock anthems accompanying the last two years’ worth of AFL coverage, and the countless sold-out shows they’ve played down under in the past!

Fresh off the US and UK festival circuit, Australian metalcore heroes, PARKWAY DRIVE are heading up the Australian artists involved in No Sleep Til. With their recent album Deep Blue crash tackling the national ARIA charts at number 2, and a huge run of sold-out shows around the country, the Byron Bay collective has cemented their position as one of Australia’s dominant musical exports.

For more than two decades US metal troupe GWAR have been shocking audiences all over the world, so it's about time Australia and New Zealand was able to witness the bloody carnage first hand. Throughout their illustrious - and often controversial - career, Gwar have been nominated for a Grammy Award on two separate occasions, while their theatrical stage show has been able to remain relevant to audiences young and old by re-creating a slew of contentious political and social issues.

Since releasing their debut full-length Goddamnit in 1998, ALKALINE TRIO have been at the forefront of the modern day punk movement, with the group's hard-rocking tunes providing the perfect musical backdrop for iconic front man Matt Skiba's often harrowing lyrics. Breaking through to the mainstream with 2001's From Here To Infirmary, Skiba, bassist/co-vocalist Dan Andriano and powerhouse drummer Derek Grant have gone from strength to strength, with each of their subsequent studio efforts winning over fans and critics alike. A band not to be missed!

In addition to this already monumental package, we are pleased to announce the inclusion of Sweden’s darkest sons KATATONIA, the classic-metal loving 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, deathcore sensations SUICIDE SILENCE, Pennsylvanian quintet AUGUST BURNS RED, rapidly-rising US troupe WE CAME AS ROMANS  and Aussie punks FRENZAL RHOMB also on board.

And… adding to this excellent line up local talent, all flying the New Zealand flag with pride are the hardcore heroes ANTAGONIST AD fresh from their European tour and ready to deliver their brutal no-holds-barred hardcore to NZs masses. Wellington based melodic punk rockers THE OUTSIDERS. Auckland based hardcore hard-outs SHITRIPPER led by an intense and layered duel vocal attack, and NZ’s most exciting new act LEECHES, formed from the ashes of Bleeders and Goodnight Nurse and featuring members of Antagonist A.D and Brick Vs Face.

So there you have it! In case you needed reminding here is the lineup again.

Festival Line Up

• Megadeth
• NOFX
• Dropkick Murphys
• Parkway Drive
• Gwar
• Alkaline Trio
• Katatonia
• 3 Inches Of Blood
• Suicide Silence
• August Burns Red
• We Came As Romans
• Frenzal Rhomb
• Antagonist AD
• Outsiders
• Shitripper
• Leeches

Tickets go on sale at midday Thursday 9th of September. No Sleep Til Auckland, Friday 10 December at the ASB Showgrounds. Tickets from Ticketek and 0800 842 538.