Who will be crowned winner of Dept of Rock 2025?! We’re closer to finding out as 12 bands that slayed in our Rocktober heats, play off in our two semi-finals. Only 4 bands full of public service rockstars will make into the grand-final on 7 December – come have some fun and cheer them on!   

Semi Final 1 Rockstars

Area 4:51
Area 4:51 has grown out of a few friends playing music together. They see the obvious synergy between public administration and management and Rock & Roll – and they want to be a part of it so here they are – 4:51 have landed.

ECHO!
Post-punk with a melodic twist, ECHO! is here to get you on your feed and have a boogie! We use the power of music to share our stories and highlight the neurodivergent experience.

The Pretty Bones
The Pretty Bones was formed from the ambitions of Wayne and Chris to create an outlet for their original music. They had been performing together for many years in covers bands but wanted to do something original. Jock and Karl had been the rhythm section of another covers band for many years but after hearing Wayne and Chris’ demo recording, they were fully committed to the Pretty Bones. The four band members now bring their different writing styles and influences together to form a strong and varied song list, centred around the 1990s rock scene.

The Delicate Light
Are a fairly new band. They’re kind of an indie guitar band with up-tempo songs and a healthy dose of melancholia. They haven’t played any gigs yet so Dept of Rock is the world debut for Delicate Light! 

Blindsided
BLINDSIDED are NOT your average covers band, they play a saucy mix of retro rock and pop punk hits with a twist! 

Machinery of Government
Forged from a desperate plea by Ben on the Canberra Musicians facebook page answered by Fiona, who roped in fellow existing band mates Joshua and Matt, followed up with the keen addition of Alex, bonded by a desire to play fast and loud metal, fused with fun times and questionable pop culture references, the soon-to-be metal titans Machinery of Government were born. A band that's as loud as a parliamentary debate and as energetic as a question time session. With a repertoire that melts faces, MOG is here to rock your socks off.