10/11/2025
Bluesfest Byron Bay first artist drop!
Australia’s most awarded music festival is back for the 37th edition, and this first announcement is one for the history books.
35 artist announced today, with more to come. With legendary reunions and long-awaited debuts, Bluesfest 2026 brings together icons and the next generation - all gathering this Easter at the Byron Events Farm, April 2–5, 2026.
Leading the charge are SPLIT ENZ, performing their first Australian show in more than 20 years, right here at Bluesfest! The beloved New Zealand art-rock visionaries - Tim Finn, Neil Finn, Noel Crombie and Eddie Rayner - reunite to celebrate 50 years of timeless hits like "I Got You", "Message to My Girl", and "Six Months in a Leaky Boat".
Joining them, one of the most celebrated and influential bands of all time, EARTH, WIND & FIRE return for the first time since 2012 - the nine-time GRAMMY winners behind "September", "Let's Groove" and "Boogie Wonderland" bring their full spectacular show to Byron Bay.
For the first time ever in Australia, SUBLIME are coming down under. Reuniting founding members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh with Jakob Nowell, son of the late Bradley Nowell, this performance marks a monumental moment in music history. Expect "Santeria", "What I Got", "Wrong Way" performed with fresh fire and authenticity.
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, the legacy burns brighter than ever.
The 2025 single “Ensenada” has become the band’s biggest radio hit, spending eight consecutive weeks at #1 on Billboard Alternative Airplay in North America,15 weeks and counting on the chart. The hit is the first release from their forthcoming album "Till The Sun Explodes".
THE BLACK CROWES bring their untamed Southern rock energy back to the Bluesfest stage for the first time since 2008.
BUDDY GUY, the greatest living Bluesman, eight-time GRAMMY winner and Presidential Medal of Art recipient, returning for a historic performance.
COUNTING CROWS return with their poetic storytelling and era-defining anthems like "Mr. Jones", "Accidentally in love" and "Round Here".
THE POGUES make their first Australian appearance in 14 years to celebrate the 40th anniversary of "Rum, So**my & the Lash" - raising a toast to the late, great singer-songwriter Shane MacGowan.
Original band members James Fearnley, Jem Finer, and Spider Stacy are joined by guest musicians Holly Mullineaux, Jordan O’Leary, Fiachra Meek, and The Bad Seeds’ Jim Sclavunos, plus vocalists Daragh Lynch, Iona Zajac to perform the full record + B-sides, extended edition tracks and their most beloved material.
GRAMMY nominated Southern rock powerhouse MARCUS KING BAND return to Bluesfest with his new album "Darling Blue", following a successful run of headline shows in 2023.
JERRY HARRISON (Talking Heads) & ADRIAN BELEW (King Crimson) performing Talking Heads’ iconic album “Remain in Light” in full + hits featuring their powerhouse 11 piece band! Expect "Once in a Lifetime", "Psycho Killer" and "Take Me to the River".
They're joined by XAVIER RUDD, THE LIVING END, MENTAL AS ANYTHING, MARK SEYMOUR AND KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND.
plus a massive lineup of fan favourites and new discoveries:
SKEGSS • THE DREGGS • SOUTH SUMMIT • ROBERT RANDOLPH • TAJ FARRANT • THE SOUTHERN RIVER BAND • 19-TWENTY • CHAIN • BACKSLIDERS • PIERCE BROTHERS • ÁINE TYRRELL • RAY BEADLE • STEVE POLTZ • DANIEL CHAMPAGNE • NIK WEST • ROSHANI • ANGELIQUE FRANCIS • JOVIN WEBB • Z-STAR • BEN CATLEY • LAID BACK COUNTRY PICKER.
And this is only the beginning. It's going to be a great Easter.
