The music from Mullum’s inaugural Roots Festival may still be lingering in locals’ ears but the rebirth of Byron’s festival scene continues, this time honouring a distinctly louder sound: heavy metal.
Those outside the heavy metal scene, or who haven’t lived locally for long, may not realise that Byron Bay band Parkway Drive has, for years, been one of Australia’s most successful music acts on the international stage, regularly selling-out visually spectacular arena shows.
Revered music magazine Rolling Stone Australia said recently Parkway Drive was ‘one of Australia’s best bands, period,’ after a sold-out black-tie performance at the Sydney Opera House earlier this year.
The band cited eight studio albums, millions of streams, multiple ARIA Music Awards and top-billing at some of the biggest festivals and stages at home and abroad when announcing their latest endeavour this week: a national tour in early 2026 with a distinct allure.
Fresh waves for Byron Bay’s grandest music act
Parkway Drive is to take their acclaimed, self-described ‘curated travelling festival’, Park Waves, around Australia, in an extravaganza for sixteen-year-olds and older.
Circus performers, carnival rides, sideshow alleys and food offerings have been promised as part of ‘a headbanger’s experience like no other’.
‘The vision for this is the biggest undertaking in Parkway’s history,’ Parkway Drive band member Winston McCall said as part of the announcement.
‘A traveling festival run by the band, for the fans. It’s a massive deal for us, so we wanted to make it special.’
The Amity Affliction to co-tour
Parkway Drive is to headline the event but has also secured hugely popular band, The Amity Affliction, for the tour.
Other acts announced for the 11-date festival were Northlane, Alpha Wolf and Story of the Year.
Park Waves is to start at Langley Park in Perth on Saturday 14 February 14 before heading to Adelaide, Geelong, Scoresby, Bendigo, Wollongong, Sydney, Maitland, Toowoomba and Byron Bay.
The planned show for Saturday 14 March 2026 at the Cavanbah Centre in Byron Bay was still subject to council approval, with all other scheduled dates apparently locked in.
The tour’s grand finale Sunday 15 March 15 on the Sunshine Coast.
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