After what has seemed an eternity, Bluesfest Byron Bay has finally quelled fans anxieties by publicizing their first artist announcement for next years event.
Leading the announcement are the pioneering rock visionaries SPLIT ENZ, performing their first Australian show in more than 20 years. The reunion features original members Tim Finn, Neil Finn, Noel Crombie and Eddie Rayner with Matt Eccles on drums and James Milne on bass – the first show in nearly two decades, marking their 50th anniversary.
EARTH, WIND & FIRE – One of the most celebrated and influential bands of all time returns to Bluesfest for the first time since 2012. Formed in 1969 by music legend Maurice White, Earth, Wind & Fire became a musical institution – scoring eight #1 hits, selling over 100 million albums, and earning nine GRAMMY® Awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and honoured with the Kennedy Center Honors, their uplifting catalogue – September, Let’s Groove, Boogie Wonderland, Reasons – has become the soundtrack to generations.
SUBLIME, the California trailblazers whose fusion of punk, ska, reggae and hip-hop defined a generation, make their long-awaited debut at Bluesfest in 2026. Reuniting founding members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh with Jakob Nowell – son of late frontman Bradley Nowell – for the first time in Australia!
The original Sublime never made it to Australia; their rise was cut short in 1996 by Bradley’s passing, just as the band was poised for worldwide touring. Three decades later, Sublime’s legacy burns brighter than ever. Their new chapter has been met with overwhelming global acclaim, beginning with Jakob’s history-making Coachella debut and continuing through major festival appearances, acoustic specials, and national TV performances.
Their 2025 single “Ensenada” has become the band’s biggest radio hit since “What I Got,” spending eight consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart in North America and 15 weeks and counting on the chart, setting the record for the longest-running alternative #1 of 2025.
Southern rock titans THE BLACK CROWES bring their soulful swagger and untamed spirit back to the Bluesfest stage for the first time since 2008. With two GRAMMY nominations and 30 million album sales, The Black Crowes continue to prove why they remain one of rock & roll’s most electrifying live acts.
The greatest living Bluesman, BUDDY GUY returns to Bluesfest for a historic performance. The eight-time GRAMMY winner and Presidential Medal of Arts recipient continues to inspire generations, carrying forward the legacy that shaped Hendrix, Clapton, and Vaughan.
COUNTING CROWS, the beloved American alt-rock storytellers led by the charismatic Adam Duritz, return to Bluesfest with their poetic lyricism and unmistakable sound. Since the release of their era-defining debut August and Everything After, Counting Crows have captivated audiences worldwide with anthems like Mr. Jones, Accidentally in Love, and Round Here. With over 20 million albums sold and a reputation for deeply emotional, ever-evolving live performances, their return promises a night of nostalgia, heart, and raw musical brilliance.
THE POGUES also make a triumphant return, performing at Bluesfest for the first time in 14 years to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their landmark album Rum, Sodomy & the Lash. Featuring original members James Fearnley, Jem Finer, and Spider Stacy alongside acclaimed guest vocalists including Daragh Lynch, Iona Zajac and John Francis Flynn, this special set will honour one of the most influential and beloved albums in modern music history.
GRAMMY-nominated southern rock powerhouse MARCUS KING BAND returns to Bluesfest following a successful run of headline dates in 2023 – off the back of opening for Chris Stapleton in arenas across Australia and New Zealand earlier this year. King and his band will perform songs from his new album Darling Blue, bringing their firebrand soul, blues, and rock fusion to the Bluesfest stage.
Bluesfest also welcomes the long-awaited return of KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Ledbetter Heights. A five-time GRAMMY nominee and one of the modern blues scene’s defining guitarists, Shepherd returns to Australia after a six-year hiatus for his first Bluesfest performance since 2012.
For the first time ever in Australia, JERRY HARRISON (Talking Heads) & ADRIAN BELEW (King Crimson)perform Talking Heads’ iconic album Remain in Light in full + hits. Harrison, a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, and Belew, the legendary King Crimson frontman, will deliver powerhouse performances of Once in a Lifetime, Psycho Killer and Take Me to the River, featuring their powerhouse 11-piece band.
ROBERT RANDOLPH, the GRAMMY-nominated pedal steel virtuoso whose electrifying performances blur the lines between gospel, funk, rock, and soul, returns to Bluesfest to uplift and ignite audiences. A powerhouse of joy and musicianship, Randolph’s transcendent style has earned him collaborations with icons from Eric Clapton to Carlos Santana – and his live shows remain some of the most exhilarating displays of musical freedom on any stage.
TAJ FARRANT, the 16-year-old Australian-born guitarist and singer-songwriter whose meteoric rise has stunned the global music world. Now based in the US, Taj’s virtuosic playing and soulful performances have earned him international acclaim and millions of followers. Taj returns for his third consecutive Bluesfest appearance, bringing a high-energy, emotionally charged show that bridges generations and genres. Debuting his new band!
Australian rock royalty, THE LIVING END, also storm the Bluesfest stage in 2026, delivering their trademark fusion of punk energy, rockabilly swagger, and pure Aussie grit. With anthems like Prisoner of Society, All Torn Down and White Noise, The Living End remain one of the most electrifying live acts in the country – a band whose influence and intensity have shaped the sound of modern Australian rock.
Adding homegrown soul to the mix, XAVIER RUDD returns to Bluesfest, marking over two decades of artistry defined by connection, activism, and transcendence. His latest EP Where To Now continues his evolution as one of Australia’s most enduring voices – blending roots, folk, and world music with an unmistakable message of unity and freedom.
Joining the celebration are a host of fan favourites and rising stars, including Australia’s favourite festival band, 19-TWENTY, who will be bringing their unrivalled, manic energy and humour to the stage once again.
Hailing from Australia’s thriving indie-folk scene, The Dreggs – Paddy Macrae and Zane Harris – have rapidly become one of the country’s most exciting Australian live acts.
Fremantle’s genre-bending five-piece SOUTH SUMMIT, will bring an infectious mix of indie rock, reggae, and hip-hop, and will continue to bring their sound to new audiences, winning new fans in the process.
Byron Bay locals SKEGGS will make their first appearance at Bluesfest, and will bring their high-energy, good-time vibes with them.
Perth’s riotous rock revivalists THE SOUTHERN RIVER BAND will be bringing unfiltered, high-voltage energy as only they know how. A “proper fucking rock band” (Justin Hawkins – The Darkness) who will knock your socks off.
Bluesfest regulars, the legendary Australian blues band, Backsliders are returning in a re-invented format showcasing songs from across their 40 year history reworked in a stripped-back, acoustic style.
Folk-rock favourites PIERCE BROTHERS, are returning home after topping the ARIA charts and conquering Europe with their new album Everything Is Bigger Than Me.
Breaking stereotypes and igniting power, ÁINE TYRRELL is a true force. A woman with something to say, her live shows are compelling and unforgettable. Her solid stage presence blends spoken word, hip hop, acoustic guitar, and ancient melody with an unmistakable voice and energy that is both electric and intimate.
Bluesfest’s discovery tradition continues with an electrifying lineup of exclusive international debuts and breakout stars, including: NIK WEST, funk phenomenon and bassist to Prince, John Mayer, and Quincy Jones. One not to be missed.
JUNO Award winning artist Angelique Francis and her band The Angelique Francis Band, are hitting the stages of Bluesfest Byron Bay for the first time. These multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist, multi-genre singer-songwriters/composers, known for their eclectic mix of various musical genres (including blues, folk, soul, jazz, roots, rock, gospel and Americana), have wowed audiences across the globe with their electrifying performances, instrumental abilities and powerful vocals.
JOVIN WEBB, the Louisiana blues and Southern soul singer whose blend of gospel, blues, and rock has drawn acclaim since his breakout on American Idol. Five years before he dazzled millions of viewers on American Idol with his bayou mystique, his humility, and his distinctive gravelly vocals, lifelong musician Jovin Webb was on the verge of giving up on his music career dreams. Bringing Louisiana soul to the famed talent show franchise proved to be a career reset.
LAID BACK COUNTRY PICKER – Kentucky’s cult country rocker blending Southern grit with Motorhead swagger. Looks can definitely be deceiving. Don’t be surprised when you see him grinding out heavy guitar riffs with his companion Honey on drums in the White Stripes inspired duo
Also on the bill are festival favourites CHAIN, the originators of ‘Oz-Blues’. They will perform at Bluesfest 2026 to celebrate 58 years at the top of the blues and blues/rock music scene in Australia.
MENTAL AS ANYTHING are set to make an historic comeback for Bluesfest 2026 — the first in 25 years — as original founding members Peter O’Doherty and Reg Mombassa reunite, leading an exciting new lineup to perform once again under the iconic banner Mental As Anything.
Joining them will be livewire Canadian folk troubador, STEVE POLTZ – part stand-up comic, part Jagger-esque frontman and 100% captivating.
DANIEL CHAMPAGNE will entertain with his jaw-dropping guitar skills and songs that fill your heart with pure joy, bringing the stories of a troubadour that will stay with you long after the last note rings out.
RAY BEADLE is one of Australia’s finest blues guitarists. His music resonates with honesty, depth, and a profound understanding of the blues tradition, with his sound being steeped in over 30 years of experience performing both nationally and internationally, from local blues haunts to stages in the deep South of the USA.
British/Trinidadian musician Z-STAR, will take crowds on a rollicking ride with her eclectic mix of rock, blues, soul and psychedelic rock. Influences range from Hendrix to Nina Simone, The Doors and Zeppelin. The Z-STAR experience is electrifying, dynamic and highly entertaining.
ROSHANI is another festival favourite who has been wowing crowds with her electric solo performances, and who has been known to pop up with other artists around the festival……perhaps once again.
Frontman for Australian rock legends, Hunters & Collectors and more lately, The Undertow, MARK SEYMOUR makes a welcome return and is sure to thrill his many fans once again as he takes to the stages of Bluesfest Byron Bay.
With mesmerising acoustic guitar playing and an ecstatic stage presence, Ben Catley pours every ounce of his soul into his live show. Having toured all across Australia, New Zealand, UK many times over, he captivates audiences like few other solo artists.
Beyond Byron Bay, the celebration continues nationwide. Through Bluesfest Tours, seven of this year’s most anticipated artists – Sublime, The Black Crowes, Buddy Guy, The Pogues, Marcus King Band, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, and Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew – “Remain in Light” w/Robert Randolph – will perform a series of exclusive sideshows across Australia. These headline performances will bring the spirit of Bluesfest to stages around the country, giving fans the chance to experience these world-class artists up close before and after the Easter long weekend.
All images: As supplied
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