Byron Bay Bluesfest, Australia’s most awarded music festival, proudly unveils the first wave of artists set to perform at Bluesfest this Easter. This year’s lineup unites legendary icons, long-awaited returns, and fresh discoveries in a bill that celebrates the enduring spirit of live music and the rich legacy of Bluesfest.
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. The beloved New Zealand art-rock legends will bring their timeless energy, theatrical flair, and era-defining hits back to the stage – kicking off their long-awaited return with the first show right here at Bluesfest.
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. The track surpassed the chart run of “What I Got” and has amassed 11+ million streams and more than 20 million TikTok views, marking a monumental new era for the group. “Ensenada” is the first release from their forthcoming album Till The Sun Explodes.
With classics Santeria, What I Got, Wrong Way and more, performed with fresh energy and authenticity, Sublime’s 2026 Bluesfest appearance will be a historic celebration of one of the most influential American bands of the past 30 years.
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: Australia’s greatest blues band, CHAIN, celebrating 58 years of “Oz-Blues” and a career that helped define Australia’s musical identity.
Sunshine Coast indie-folk duo THE DREGGS, fresh off sold-out international tours and a #3 ARIA charting debut album.
Fremantle’s genre-bending five-piece SOUTH SUMMIT, whose infectious mix of indie rock, reggae, and hip-hop continues to win hearts around the world.
Perth’s riotous rock revivalists THE SOUTHERN RIVER BAND, bringing unfiltered, high-voltage energy and sheer joy to the stage.
Legendary trio BACKSLIDERS, returning with their raw, reimagined acoustic sound led by Dom Turner and Rob Hirst.
Folk-rock favourites PIERCE BROTHERS, returning home after topping the ARIA charts and conquering Europe with their new album Everything Is Bigger Than Me. Fierce Irish roots, ÁINE TYRRELL is breaking stereotypes and igniting power – A thought-provoking multi-instrumentalist and poet.
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. ANGELIQUE FRANCIS, the JUNO-winning Canadian blues powerhouse whose soulful voice and commanding stage presence are redefining the genre. 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.LAID BACK COUNTRY PICKER, Kentucky’s cult country rocker blending Southern grit with Motorhead swagger.
Rounding out the announcement are festival favourites CHAIN the originators of ‘Oz-Blues’, 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 is set to make a historic comeback for Blues Fest 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 is STEVE POLTZ, DANIEL CHAMPAGNE, RAY BEADLE, British/Trinidadian musician Z-STAR, ROSHANI, MARK SEYMOUR, BACKSLIDERS, and BEN CATLEY– ensuring every corner of the Bluesfest site will be alive with extraordinary musicianship, diversity, and heart.
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.
About Bluesfest Byron Bay
Since its humble beginnings in 1990, Bluesfest Byron Bay has grown into one of the world’s most significant music festivals. Recognised globally and honoured with dozens of awards, Bluesfest has presented legends including BB King, Buddy Guy, Santana, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Mary J Blige, Robert Plant, Kendrick Lamar, Lauryn Hill, and countless more. Today, Bluesfest continues its proud tradition of bringing together the best in Blues, Roots, Soul, Rock, and beyond across multiple stages, with a program that also features camping, food experiences, family activities, and cultural celebrations. Each Easter, tens of thousands of fans gather at the beautiful 300-acre Byron Events Farm, just 11km north of Byron Bay, to be part of this unique festival community. In 2026, we invite you to join us once again for a four-day celebration of music, culture, and connection. Recognised globally for its excellence, Bluesfest has earned numerous accolades, making it the most awarded music festival in the Australian entertainment industry.
