Lime Cordiale, Montaigne, The Herd and DOBBY to headline the People’s Blockade of the World’s Largest Coal Port
Thursday 23 November 2025
Rising Tide has just announced that one of Australia’s most iconic and electric live acts, Lime Cordiale will headline the 2025 People’s Blockade of the World’s Largest Coal Port. The climate protest in Newcastle from Thursday 27 November to Tuesday 2 December will highlight Australia’s massive contribution to the climate crisis as one of the world’s largest exporters of coal, the main cause of climate change. The event is expected to draw thousands of people and will involve a flotilla on the Newcastle Harbor, workshops, training, kids activities and a “climate concert.”
Lime Cordiale have this month performed three sold-out shows at the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. They won the ARIA award for Best Live Act in 2021 and have had two albums reach the #1 position on the ARIA album chart.
Frontrunners Oli and Louis have been outspoken advocates for climate justice and environmental protection and Rising Tide is excited to have their support at this year’s blockade. They’ll perform at Foreshore Park (Camp Shortland), with their full five-piece band on Saturday 29 November.
Also performing across the weekend are over a twenty musical acts including ARIA award winning alt-pop, indie singer-songwriter Montaigne, a rare performance by political hip-hop legends The Herd, Filipino-Aboriginal, ARIA award winning rapper DOBBY, nine-piece Afrobeat band Kalakuta Republic, genre-blending Jabirr Jabirr powerhouse Tjaka, punk/hip-hop hybrid Mudrat, Newcastle fan favourite Dust.
Louis Leimbach, Lime Cordiale:
“The climate crisis is one of the most urgent issues of our time. It threatens the safety, livelihoods and future of all Australians — and people right across the world.
“We’re excited to be performing at the Rising Tide People’s Blockade, because right now, our government is failing to plan for a safe future.”
Oli Leimbach, Lime Cordiale:
“We’ve both always loved nature and wanted to do our part to help the planet, so we’re proud to stand with the thousands rising up to say: enough is enough. The time for real action is now.
“We hope to see massive crowds supporting the call for funding for new jobs and industries for the Hunter region and a sensible plan to move away from coal.”
Rising Tide organiser, Naomi Hodgson:
“This is a compelling and exciting line up of Australian musicians, all united in their active support for peaceful direct action to protect our climate. It’s a powerful endorsement to have the backing of such high profile musicians.”
“The People’s Blockade is now a significant cultural event in Newcastle and for climate-concerned people from across the country. It’s an emotive climate protest with the joyous atmosphere of a festival. We call it a protestival to reflect this fact.”
Background:
The 2024 People’s Blockade of the World’s Largest Coal Port saw an estimated 7000 people gather in Newcastle for a seven-day calling for an end to new coal and gas projects, and increased funding for the transition away from coal. It culminated in the largest single act of civil disobedience for climate action in Australia’s history where 170 people were arrested for blockading the Newcastle coal port, attracting international media attention. Peter Garrett, John Butler and Angie McMahon headlined last year’s protestival.
For more information and to register for the 2025 protestival - https://www.risingtide.org.au/
Media contact: Alexa 0423 361 030
