Iconic Bluesfest Unveils Powerhouse 2026 Lineup: Split Enz, Earth, Wind & Fire, and The Pogues to Headline

In a highly anticipated announcement, Australia's iconic Bluesfest has unveiled the first round of artists set to perform at its 2026 edition. The festival, which is scheduled to take place from April 2 to 5, 2026, in Byron Bay, will feature a powerhouse lineup led by several legendary acts.

Headlining the event will be a full reunion set from the iconic New Zealand group Split Enz, featuring brothers Neil and Tim Finn of Crowded House fame. This will mark the band's first full-scale Australian tour in nearly two decades. Joining them are the funk and soul trailblazers Earth, Wind & Fire, who last played Bluesfest in 2012, and the Irish punk-folk icons The Pogues, returning for the first time in 14 years to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their seminal album "Rum, Sodomy & the Lash."

The 2026 Bluesfest lineup also boasts a diverse array of international acts, including Sublime, The Black Crowes, Counting Crows, blues veteran Buddy Guy on his farewell tour, and the Marcus King Band. Local Australian talent such as Xavier Rudd, The Living End, and Mental As Anything will also take the stage.

The announcement comes on the heels of a highly successful 2025 edition of Bluesfest, which drew over 109,000 attendees across five days, making it the festival's third-biggest event in its 35-year history. With the return of these iconic acts and the continued popularity of the festival, Bluesfest 2026 is poised to be another unforgettable celebration of music and culture.