BLUESFEST IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE NEXT ANNOUNCEMENT OF ARTISTS PERFORMING IN BYRON BAY THIS EASTER
After weeks of teasing and mounting social media buzz, Bluesfest has officially unveiled the first artist announcement for its 2026 edition, and it’s a big one.
Leading the lineup are New Zealand and Australian icons Split Enz, who will return to Australian stages for the first time in 20 years, making their long-awaited comeback at Bluesfest next Easter.
They’re joined by a further 34 artists from Australia and around the world, including genre-spanning legends Earth, Wind & Fire and ska-punk mainstays Sublime. Also confirmed are Counting Crows, who will add Bluesfest to their already-announced and highly anticipated Australian tour dates in 2026.
The international bill continues with Celtic punk favourites The Pogues, alongside Marcus King Band, The Black Crowes, Buddy Guy and Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band. In a special first for Australia, Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew will perform Talking Heads’ classic album Remain in Light in full.
Australian artists are strongly represented, with the lineup spanning punk rock (The Living End), roots and soul (Xavier Rudd), indie-folk (The Dreggs), hard-hitting rock and roll (The Southern River Band), and long-time festival favourites Pierce Brothers.
Returning for its 37th edition, Bluesfest will take place over the Easter Long Weekend, running from Thursday 2 April to Sunday 5 April 2026 in Byron Bay. Tickets for Bluesfest 2026 are on sale now via the festival website.
Festival Director Peter Noble OAM described the announcement as a major moment for the event.
“Our Bluesfest announcement today is a pearler — it’s a beauty. Seven tours announced and Bluesfest,” Noble said. “Split Enz will play their first Australian show since 2006, right here at Bluesfest. Fans will be the first to see them back on Australian soil following their triumphant New Zealand return.”
Noble also highlighted the scale of the lineup, noting that the artists announced so far have collectively sold around 180 million albums, with accolades including dozens of platinum and gold records and multiple GRAMMY Awards.
“Who would have thought we’d see Buddy Guy return after what was billed as his farewell tour?” Noble added. “When the opportunity came to bring him back, I took it.”
Following the success of Bluesfest’s 36th edition earlier this year — and the surprise confirmation that the festival would return after previously being billed as its final outing — the 2026 announcement signals a confident and high-profile next chapter for the iconic festival.
BYRON BAY BLUESFEST 37TH FESTIVAL
EASTER 2026 – APRIL 2 - 5 APRIL 2026
FIRST ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT:
SPLIT ENZ
EARTH, WIND & FIRE • SUBLIME
THE BLACK CROWES • BUDDY GUY
COUNTING CROWS • THE POGUES • MARCUS KING BAND
JERRY HARRISON & ADRIAN BELEW “REMAIN IN LIGHT”
THE LIVING END • XAVIER RUDD
MENTAL AS ANYTHING • MARK SEYMOUR
KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND
ROBERT RANDOLPH • TAJ FARRANT
SKEGSS • THE DREGGS • SOUTH SUMMIT
THE SOUTHERN RIVER BAND • 19-TWENTY
CHAIN • BACKSLIDERS • PIERCE BROTHERS
ÁINE TYRRELL • RAY BEADLE • STEVE POLTZ • DANIEL CHAMPAGNE
• NIK WEST (exclusive) • ROSHANI • ANGELIQUE FRANCIS (exclusive)
JOVIN WEBB (exclusive) • Z-STAR
BEN CATLEY • LAID BACK COUNTRY PICKER (exclusive)
