Thousands gathered in Manly on Sunday for the Red Hot Summer Tour, a music festival showcasing an all-Australian lineup under clear skies and warm temperatures reaching nearly 30 degrees Celsius. The event highlighted domestic rock talent with performances spanning multiple generations, featuring well-known acts such as Australian Crawl, Men at Work, Birds of Tokyo, Vika & Linda, Eskimo Joe, Boom Crash Opera, and Ella Hooper.

The festival, which opened its gates at noon, quickly saw the best viewing spots claimed, with many attendees arriving early and bringing camping chairs to reserve seating areas. The event was sold out, drawing a diverse crowd eager to experience more than eight hours of live music.

A key highlight was Australian Crawl’s participation, marking their return to the stage for the first time in 40 years. This tour, consisting of 10 scheduled performances, is the band’s first since their original split in 1986. It was only the fourth show of their comeback series, generating significant interest among long-time fans and new listeners alike.

Attendee James Agnew expressed his enthusiasm for the festival, sharing that he had been anticipating the event for months, particularly looking forward to watching Birds of Tokyo perform. The festival’s lineup and atmosphere created a celebratory mood, underscoring the enduring popularity of Australia's rock scene.

Overall, the Red Hot Summer Tour in Manly served as both a nostalgic gathering for established artists and a platform to showcase contemporary Australian rock talent, all set against the backdrop of a sunny spring day.