We Made Plans for Birds of Tokyo at Carnival of Cups in Bathurst

5 November 2025

Australian rock luminaries Birds of Tokyo will return to the Harness Racing New South Wales TAB Carnival of Cups stage to headline a blockbuster trackside entertainment line-up when the series heads to Bathurst on January 30.

They will be joined on the billing – which is free for all - by multiple ARIA award winning quartet You Am I and the internationally acclaimed Bachelor Girl.

Local favourite Matt Boylan-Smith and rising country star Chloe Swannell will bring a familiar western region voice to a marquee race night for the industry.

It will be the third time Birds of Tokyo will take to the Carnival of Cups stage after headlining in front of the series’ largest crowds to date in Albury and Penrith earlier this year.

Bathurst marks a return to the harness racing arena for You Am I who performed the headline slot at Albury in season 1 of the revamped format.

Later this month they will be inducted into the prestigious ARIA Hall of Fame while their iconic hit Berlin Chair was recently voted into Triple J’s Hottest 100 of All Time list.

It will be the first time Bachelor Girl will perform on the Carnival of Cups stage and they’re sure to have the crowd singing along to their signature tunes, including the global hit Buses and Trains which peaked at number 4 in Australia and charted around the world.

Patrons will also be given a rare treat with one of the bands to perform a surprise rendition of the Carnival of Cups series anthem Footloose.

“With a line-up like that I have no doubt everybody will cut loose at the Carnival of Cups. There’s definitely something for everyone on that bill and it will only amplify what is going to be another milestone night in the history of harness racing in the industry’s heartland in western New South Wales,” HRNSW Marketing Manager Paul Cochrane said.

On the track, the inaugural running of The Gold Rush Cup will take place and serve as the third leg of the Harness Racing New South Wales million-dollar bonus series. The western region final and the consolation for the TAB Regional Championships will also be raced.

The Carnival of Cups is a family-friendly event for all ages, with food, drink and children’s entertainment options all part of the trackside fare.

Tickets to the Carnival of Cups at Bathurst’s Gold Crown Paceway are available now. It is FREE to attend but you do need to register for a ticket. To secure your ticket head to www.carnivalofcups.com.au