Byron Bay festival Bluesfest reveals first wave with 35 artists including legendary returns and Australian debuts.
Bluesfest has dropped its first artist announcement for 2026, headlined by Split Enz performing their first Australian show in 20 years.
Byron Bay Bluesfest returns over the Easter long weekend with 35 acts announced so far, spanning rock legends, blues icons and Australian favourites. Split Enz lead the lineup, marking their 50th anniversary with original members Tim Finn, Neil Finn, Noel Crombie and Eddie Rayner joined by Matt Eccles on drums and James Milne on bass.
It’s the first time the New Zealand art-rock pioneers have played Australia since 2006.
Earth, Wind & Fire return to Bluesfest for the first time since 2012, bringing their catalogue of September, Let’s Groove and Boogie Wonderland to Byron Bay.
Sublime make their Australian debut with founding members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh joined by Jakob Nowell, son of late frontman Bradley Nowell, performing classics like Santeria and What I Got.
Bluesfest 2026
- Where: Byron Events Farm, Byron Bay
- When: 2-5 April 2026
- Tickets available here
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Southern rock titans The Black Crowes return to Bluesfest for the first time since 2008, while blues legend Buddy Guy brings his eight Grammy Awards and Presidential Medal of Arts back to the festival. Counting Crows arrive with their alt-rock storytelling, including hits like Mr. Jones and Round Here, having sold over 20 million albums worldwide.
The Pogues perform at Bluesfest for the first time in 14 years, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Rum, Sodomy & the Lash with original members James Fearnley, Jem Finer and Spider Stacy alongside guest vocalists Daragh Lynch, Iona Zajac and John Francis Flynn. Marcus King Band returns following successful Australian dates, performing material from new album Darling Blue.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band marks the 30th anniversary of Ledbetter Heights with their first Bluesfest performance since 2012. Jerry Harrison from Talking Heads and Adrian Belew from King Crimson team up to perform Remain in Light in full, making their Australian debut with an 11-piece band delivering Once in a Lifetime, Psycho Killer and Take Me to the River.
Australian acts feature heavily across the announcement. The Living End bring punk energy and rockabilly swagger with anthems like Prisoner of Society. Xavier Rudd returns after two decades of blending roots, folk and world music. Mental As Anything reunite founding members Peter O’Doherty and Reg Mombassa for their first Bluesfest in 25 years. Chain celebrates 58 years as originators of Australian blues, while Hunters and Collectors frontman Mark Seymour brings decades of iconic Australian rock.
Rising Australian talent includes The Dreggs, fresh from sold-out international tours and a number three ARIA charting debut album. South Summit’s genre-bending mix of indie rock, reggae and hip-hop earned them a number two ARIA debut with The Bliss. The Southern River Band delivers high-voltage rock, while Pierce Brothers return after topping ARIA charts with Everything Is Bigger Than Me. Skegss, 19-Twenty and Backsliders round out the local contingent.
International exclusives feature funk bassist Nik West, who’s played with Prince, John Mayer and Quincy Jones. Juno Award-winning Canadian blues artist Angelique Francis makes her Australian debut, alongside Louisiana blues singer Jovin Webb and Kentucky country rocker Laid Back Country Picker. British-Trinidadian musician Z-Star joins Irish roots artist Áine Tyrrell on the bill.
Robert Randolph brings his Grammy-nominated pedal steel virtuosity, blending gospel, funk, rock and soul. Taj Farrant, the 16-year-old Australian guitar prodigy now based in the US, returns for his third consecutive Bluesfest appearance with a new band. Canadian-American singer-songwriter Steve Poltz, Australian artists Daniel Champagne, Ray Beadle, Roshani and Ben Catley complete the first announcement.
Seven artists will perform sideshows around Australia through Bluesfest Tours: Sublime, The Black Crowes, Buddy Guy, The Pogues, Marcus King Band, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, and Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew with Robert Randolph. Dates and venues for these shows will be announced separately.
Festival director Peter Noble noted the announcement represents artists who have collectively sold around 180 million albums, earned 58 platinum and 43 gold albums, plus numerous Grammy Awards between them. More artists will be announced in coming waves leading up to the April festival.
Bluesfest has grown from humble 1990 beginnings into one of the world’s most significant music festivals, presenting legends including BB King, Santana, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Robert Plant, Kendrick Lamar and Lauryn Hill over its 37-year history. The festival takes place across multiple stages at the 300-acre Byron Events Farm, 11 kilometres north of Byron Bay, with camping, food experiences and family activities running alongside the music program.
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