Newcastle’s own punk cabaret band, The Pits, is set to open a national music festival when it hits the city.

The Drop Festival will transform Empire Park, Bar Beach, into a hive of activity and music on Saturday 7 March as some of Australia’s most loved music acts take to the stage.

Now into its third year, this edition promises to be better than ever, featuring sets from GRAACE, Kita Alexander, DZ Deathrays, Ball Park Music, Allday, Boy & Bear and The Presets.

The Pits guitarist and vocalist Mitch Irwin says the band is “both excited and nervous” for the show.

“We’re very excited to play,” he said.

“Playing with that calibre of artists will be incredible, it will probably be the biggest show we’ve played.”

He added that they were excited for the exposure it would bring.

Irwin said their performance would be “crazy circus music with brass instruments” as they bring their high voltage antics to the stage.

He described their sound as “heavy guitar, with heavy drums and brass instruments trying to replicate a crazy circus”.

The Drop Festival celebrates the quintessential Australian road trip and is dedicated to community, culture, local food and beverages, and a shared love of the ocean.

It follows the Australian leg of the World Surf League Championship Tour and other associated major surfing events around the country, stopping in Newcastle during Surfest.

Apart from The Pits’ punk cabaret sound, there will also be Boy & Bear’s 1970s-inspired indie folk-rock music, Allday’s alternative hip-hop/rap and The Presets’ electronic tunes, offering something for everyone.

The all ages event starts at 1pm and will go until 10pm.

The festival will also play at Manly, Coolangatta, Torquay and Busselton, with international dates to be released soon. Tickets for the Newcastle edition are on sale now.

Visit thedroplive.com to purchase tickets or for more information.