Legendary 1980s new-wave New Zealand band Split Enz (main picture) will headline Bluesfest 2026.
Earth Wind & Fire, Sublime and The Pogues will also perform at the beloved Australian, Easter-long-weekend festival, it was announced today.
The contemporary music event, which brought 109,000 attendees to Byron Bay in 2025, will take place at the Events Farm from April 2 to April 5.
It’s a return to the headlining spot for Split Enz vocalist and songwriter Neil Finn, after his other famous band Crowded House headlined “the last” festival. Split Enz has also announced a nation-wide reunion tour, after a 20 year hiatus.
Also joining them at Bluesfest is the iconic 70s soul-pop legends, Earth, Wind & Fire, whose were last here in 2012. They are bringing all their classic such as “September” and “Boogie Wonderland”.
After 14 years, The Pogues is also making a comeback, celebrating 40 years of their album Rum, Sodomy & the Lash. The band is honouring the legacy of the late Shane MacGowan.
US ska-punk band Sublime – who reigned in the 1990s – will also perform, alongside The Black Crowes, Buddy Guy, and Marcus King Band.
And from the Aussie camp will be music legends: The Dreggs, Xavier Rudd, The Living End, South Summit, and Pierce Brothers.
More to come.
Tickets and more information about the Bluesfest 2026 lineup: https://www.bluesfest.com.au/.
Bluesfest 2026 Lineup
Split Enz | Earth, Wind & Fire | Sublime
The Black Crowes | Buddy Guy
Counting Crows | The Pogues | Marcus King Band
Jerry Harris & Adrian Belew “Remain in Light”
Xavier Rudd | The Living End | Mental as Anything
Mark Seymour | Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
Skegss | The Dreggs | South Summit
Robert Randolph | Taj Farrant
The Southern River Band | 19-Twenty
Chain | Backsliders | Pierce Brothers
Áine Tyrrell | Ray Readle | Steve Poltz
Daniel Champagne | Mik West | Roshani
Angelique Francis | Jovin Webb | Z-Star
Ben Catley | Laid Back Country Picker
Main photo of Split Enz by Peter Hill-Travis via Facebook
