There’s something magical about a good band tee – it’s part uniform, part memory bank, part personality test
Whether it’s faded from too many spins in the wash or still stiff from the merch stand, Aussie band tees have a way of sticking around – just like the songs they came from.
From pub rock royalty to punk misfits and shiny pop icons, we’ve rounded up the Aussie tees that have earned their stripes (and stains).
Big love to Sammy and the legends at Fresh Tees for lending their expertise – because when it comes to screen-printed nostalgia, they know what’s what.
Here’s our tribute to the threads that made us dance, scream, cry, and occasionally sleep through uni lectures.
AC/DC
The holy grail of Aussie rock tees. Black, bold, and probably inherited from an older sibling with excellent taste.
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Amyl and the Sniffers
Loud, proud, and a little bit feral—an Amyl tee is armour for surviving punk gigs and bottle-shop queues. Honestly, the Band Moll one is unbeatable.
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Anything by Connor Dewhurst
Ocean Road and Angie McMahon
Ocean Road – nuff said…. Angie McMahon, soft, strong, and quietly powerful—an Angie tee feels like a hug from your most emotionally intelligent mate.
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Cold Chisel
This one smells faintly like bonfires and beer. A Cold Chisel tee is for belting out ballads on road trips with the windows down.
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INXS
Soft cotton and soft synths. Wearing INXS feels like falling in love with a song (or a frontman) in slow motion.
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King Stingray
Modern classics. Yolŋu surf rock never looked so good—King Stingray’s merch is a must-have for anyone with a pulse.
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Kylie
Queen of the dancefloor. Slap her on a tee and you’re essentially wearing four decades of pure pop royalty.
Lincoln Gold
Now defunct—still, it’s a cult. Lincoln Gold tees are the kind of thing you’ll brag about having, preferably while leaning against a milk crate at a warehouse gig.
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Midnight Oil
Shirts that shout. Politically charged, proudly loud—wearing The Oils is a statement, not just a style.
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Skeggs
If VB made band merch, this would be it. Laidback, loud, and low-key iconic.
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Violent Soho
The tee that launched a thousand circle pits. Brisbane’s grunge gods knew exactly how to make a shirt scream.
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Shoutout to Fresh Tees for making this possible. As a prize partner, Fresh Tees will be providing merch to the winners of Needle in the Hay 2025. So, if you’re a budding musician, this is your chance to get your hands on some fresh band tees!
With over 15 years in the print game, they’re the go-to for custom apparel—serving everyone from small bands to massive events, straight out of their creative hub in Marrickville, Sydney. Check them out here.
Needle in the Hay is Happy Mag’s annual music competition, spotlighting the best emerging talent across Australia and New Zealand.
Keen to throw your hat in the ring? Aussie and Kiwi artists can sign up here. International? Head this way.
