Wanstock returns in 2026 with Canadian rock legends Loverboy making their Australian debut alongside a number of local icons.
Aussie rock festival Wanstock is back for 2026 with its most ambitious lineup to date, spreading across Sydney and Melbourne with multiple cracking shows. Canadian Hall of Famers Loverboy will finally touch down on Australian soil for the first time in the band’s history, joined by New Zealand rock stalwarts Dragon, homegrown heroes 1927, Pseudo Echo, Bachelor Girl, Taxiride featuring Jason Singh and more across the two cities.
Born from organiser Geoff Wansbrough’s passion for the legendary pub rock era of the 80s and 90s, Wanstock has grown since its 2018 debut into an annual celebration of world-class acts and emerging talent. Melbourne gets two nights of action at Shoppingtown Hotel in Doncaster on 20-21 March, while Sydney’s eastern beaches get a dose of rock at Selina’s in Coogee on 20 March.
Wanstock 2026
- Friday 20 March – Selina’s, Coogee NSW
- Friday 20 March – Shoppingtown Hotel, Doncaster VIC
- Saturday 21 March – Shoppingtown Hotel, Doncaster VIC
- Tickets: here
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Saturday’s Melbourne show brings Loverboy to the Wanstock stage for their maiden Australian performances. Known for their trademark red leather pants, bandanas and high-energy shows, the Canadian rockers have shifted more than 15 million albums worldwide, earning four multi-platinum plaques including the four-million-selling Get Lucky, plus double-platinum releases for their self-titled 1980 debut, Keep It Up and Lovin’ Every Minute of It.
Friday night in Melbourne sees 1927 headline, the band that made a devastating entrance in 1988 with debut album …iSH. Three months after release, the record became the highest-selling debut album by an Australian artist, going quintuple platinum with six charted singles and spending 46 weeks in the top 50. Their follow-up The Otherside went multi-platinum and remained in the top 50 for 19 weeks, cementing 1927’s status as Australian rock royalty.
Dragon returns to Wanstock after forming in New Zealand in the 1970s before relocating to Australia. Starting with a heavy progressive rock sound that earned them a cult following, the band evolved into rock mainstays with hits like Are You Old Enough, April Sun in Cuba and Rain proving their widespread appeal and staying power.
Wanstock first sparked to life when Wansbrough decided to book some of his favourite bands for his birthday celebration years ago. Inspired by classic Australian rock and the spirit of the original Woodstock Music Festival, the inaugural event kicked off in 2018 at the Burvale Hotel before finding its current home at Shoppingtown Hotel in 2019.
Each year aims to deliver a mix of classic acts from the golden era, emerging talent getting their chance to shine, and cover bands keeping everyone on the dancefloor.
Sydney’s lineup brings Loverboy together with Choirboys, Taxiride featuring Jason Singh and Ventura for a night at the eastern beaches. Melbourne’s Friday features 1927, Dragon, Bachelor Girl, Stonetrip and Strait Shooters, while Saturday delivers Loverboy, Pseudo Echo, Taxiride featuring Jason Singh, Standing Room Only and Daydreamers.
For more information, head here.
