24 Sep 2026
THE STROKES ANNOUNCED AS FIRST HEADLINER FOR SYDNEY SUMMERTIME 2027
Sydney Summertime has announced The Strokes as its first headliner, with Beck, Courtney Barnett and Promiseland also set to perform at Centennial Park on Saturday, 20 February 2027.
Presented by Secret Sounds and Live Nation, the concert will conclude The Strokes’ highly anticipated return to Australia in February for Reality Awaits Australia 2027, marking their only Sydney show and only outdoor show of the national run. The band has played to full houses in North America and Japan, with a string of sold-out dates across the UK, Europe and South America still to come.
The show will open Sydney Summertime’s inaugural season across late February and early March, with further international headliners and Australian artists to be announced in the coming months.
The Strokes will be joined by Beck, Courtney Barnett and Promiseland for Sydney Summertime. Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Beck is beloved by Australian audiences, having played countless sold-out shows across a career spanning four decades, while Courtney Barnett makes a long-awaited return to the spotlight with new album Creature of Habit. Rounding out the line-up is Promiseland, the high-energy project of Johann Rashid, signed to Julian Casablancas’ Cult Records and known for his explosive live performances.
The Strokes' headline show will mark the first time audiences experience Sydney Summertime at Centennial Park, with Black Peach Founders and Sydney Summertime Directors Jessica Ducrou and Elise Huntley looking ahead to the opening night:
“As long-time fans of The Strokes, we couldn’t be more excited that they’re the first headliner announced for Sydney Summertime. They’re such an iconic live band and the perfect way to kick things off. We can't wait to see them take over Centennial Park, along with Beck, Courtney Barnett and Promiseland.”
Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: "The Strokes are one of the biggest names in alternative rock, and we're thrilled to welcome them to Sydney Summertime. Bringing an iconic band like The Strokes to NSW will put our state firmly in the spotlight, attracting fans from across Australia and around the world and giving visitors another reason to stay longer, do more and return again. Major music events like this showcase NSW as a world-class destination for live music experiences, while delivering a boost for our hotels, restaurants, bars, retailers and local businesses.”
The concert will be open to ages 16 and over. Dedicated accessible viewing will also be available across two areas, including an elevated platform for wheelchair users and companions and a ground-level sectioned viewing area, with accessible amenities and designated accessibility staff on site.
Ticket experiences and age requirements may vary for each Sydney Summertime concert, with details confirmed as each headliner is announced.
For The Strokes Reality Awaits at Sydney Summertime, audiences can choose from six ticket experiences, from General Admission through to Gold Circle, with front-of-stage standing, dedicated entry and early access to the arena. The Grove, Sydney Summertime’s garden VIP village, will feature dedicated food outlets, bars, shaded gardens and seating, while Golden Grove combines The Grove experience with access to Gold Circle.
For an elevated view of the concert, The Terrace will offer partially covered grandstand viewing overlooking the main stage, with a mix of standing and unreserved seating, as well as access to The Grove. The Suites will offer private spaces for groups of 30 to 50 guests, with elevated stage views, dedicated hosting and tailored food and beverage options.
Food and drink will form part of the outdoor concert experience, with a mix of Sydney restaurant pop-ups, food trucks and local producers joining dedicated cocktail and beer offerings throughout Centennial Park. Further details will be announced in the coming months.
Return public transport will be included with every Sydney Summertime event ticket, with Moshtix the official ticketing partner. Visit transportnsw.info/events for details.
Tickets for The Strokes Reality Awaits at Sydney Summertime go on general sale at 1pm AEST on Tuesday, 29 September via Moshtix, with presales commencing Monday, 28 September.
Further Sydney Summertime headliners will be announced in the coming months. Sign up for pre-sale information and news at www.sydneysummertime.com.
Sydney Summertime is presented by Black Peach and proudly supported by Destination NSW.
SYDNEY SUMMERTIME - THE STROKES REALITY AWAITS AUSTRALIA 2027
With special guests
Beck
Courtney Barnett
Promiseland
Saturday 20 February 2027
Centennial Park, Sydney
Artist / Mastercard / Vodafone Presales: 9am AEST, Monday 28 September
Sydney Summertime / Live Nation / Secret Sounds Presales: 12pm AEST, Monday 28 September
General On Sale: 1pm AEST, Tuesday 29 September
Imagery: HERE
Website: www.sydneysummertime.com
Follow Sydney Summertime on Instagram @sydney.summertime
For media enquiries:
Rosie Halliday, Strategic Communications Lead, Electric Collective rosie@electriccollective.com.au | 0433 885 313
ABOUT THE STROKES
Alongside the Reality Awaits tour this year, The Strokes have played Coachella plus headline sets for Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, and Japan’s Summer Sonic 2026.
Reality Awaits (Cult Records/RCA Records) is the seventh studio album from The Strokes, featuring singles Going Shopping and Falling Out of Love. Recorded in Costa Rica with producer Rick Rubin and finished around the globe, Reality Awaits marks the band’s first new music since 2020’s much-lauded The New Abnormal and extensive global touring in its wake.
The Strokes are a band from New York City. Since their 2001 debut, their beloved discography has defined the sound of a generation.
ABOUT SYDNEY SUMMERTIME
Sydney Summertime is a new outdoor concert series launching at Centennial Park in late February and early March 2027. Presented by Black Peach, the independent event experience company founded by Jessica Ducrou and Elise Huntley, the limited season of standalone concerts will bring major international headliners and Australian artists to one of Sydney’s most iconic outdoor settings.
Set within 189 hectares of parklands minutes from the Sydney CBD, Sydney Summertime combines world-class live music with a range of ticket experiences and a food and beverage offering showcasing some of Sydney’s best restaurants, bars, food trucks and cellar doors. Proudly supported by Destination NSW, Sydney Summertime is a fresh addition to Sydney’s major events calendar, created for locals and visitors to experience great live music in the heart of the city.
ABOUT BLACK PEACH
Black Peach is an independent events company founded by Australian live music and entertainment executives Jessica Ducrou and Elise Huntley.
Ducrou and Huntley each bring more than three decades of experience across festival development, event management and live entertainment. Their collective experience spans some of Australia’s most recognised festivals and events, including Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival, Homebake, Harvest Rock, Download Festival and Sydney City Limits.
WEBSITE: www.blackpeach.co
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/blackpeach.co/
ABOUT DESTINATION NSW
Destination NSW is the lead agency for the visitor economy in the NSW Government – its champion and voice. Driving a whole-of-government approach to growth, Destination NSW is responsible for leading the delivery of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035 in partnership with government and industry.
Destination NSW shapes the sector through strategic research, policy leadership, stakeholder engagement, commercial partnerships, and targeted investment in experiences, business support, marketing and events.