‘Legendary reunions and long-awaited debuts’ is how Bluesfest Director Peter Noble has described the lineup for next year’s Byron Shire event.
With New Zealand act Split Enz topping the preliminary list of 35 artists announced this week and a full performance of Talking Heads’ iconic album Remain in Light promised, it’s easy to spot some of the legends.
The popular 1980 album is described by critics as borrowing from the Afrobeat sounds of Fela Kuti and features eight tracks including Once in a Lifetime.
It’s to be performed live by Talking Heads band member Jerry Harrison and King Crimson’s Adrian Belew, along with an eleven-piece band.
Other Talking Heads hits are promised, including the oft-covered hit Psycho Killerand the band’s take on Al Green’s Take Me to the River, recorded on their 1978 album, More Songs about Buildings and Food.
A Sublime debut
As for long-awaited debuts, the 37th Bluesfest is to star American ska punk band Sublime, formed in 1988.
Nearly forty years later, founding members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh are to tour the band for the first time in Australia, joined by their late colleague Bradley Nowell’s son, Jakob Nowell.
‘The original Sublime never made it to Australia,’ Mr Noble says, ‘their rise was cut short in 1996 by Bradley’s passing, just as the band was poised for worldwide touring’.
Fast forward nearly forty years and Sublime’s 2025 single Ensenada has become their biggest radio hit, spending eight consecutive weeks at #1 on Billboard Alternative Airplay in North America.
The track is the first release from a yet-to-be released album called Till The Sun Explodes.
Mr Noble says Sublime’s anticipated show marks ‘a monumental moment in music history’ and for punters to expect Santeria, What I Got, Wrong Way and others, ‘performed with fresh fire and authenticity’.
Legacy of Shane MacGowan to unite living legends
Returning to Split Enz, the forerunner to acclaimed act Crowded House, Mr Noble says fraternal members Tim and Neil Finn will reunite with Noel Crombie and Eddie Rayner for the first time in twenty years ‘to celebrate 50 years of timeless hits like I Got You, Message to My Girl, and Six Months in a Leaky Boat.
Nine-time Grammy-award winners Earth, Wind and Fire are to return for the first time since 2012 with hits including September, Let’s Groove and Boogie Wonderland, while The Black Crowes are to play Bluesfest for the first time since 2008.
Many in the Byron Shire and beyond commiserated the 2023 death of The Pogues’ singer-songwriter Shane MacGowan and now have a chance to honour his music in live, authentic festival style.
The Pogues are to make their first Australian appearance in 14 years, Mr Noble says, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of seminal 1985 album Rum, Sodomy & the Lash.
Original band members James Fearnley, Jem Finer and Spider Stacy are to be joined by guest musicians Holly Mullineaux, Jordan O’Leary, Fiachra Meek, and Jim Sclavunos of cult classic band The Bad Seeds, as well as vocalists Daragh Lynch and Iona Zajac to perform the full record, B-sides, extended edition tracks and other ‘most beloved material,’ says Mr Noble.
The original Mr Jones live and local
But the big names keep coming.
Moving forward to pop rock icons of the nineties, Counting Crows are to make a come-back to the Bluesfest stage – if you’ve only ever heard a pub cover version of Mr Jones, next Easter is your chance to hear the original live and local,alongside other band hits including Accidentally in love and Round Here.
Lest we forget where the festival gets it name, longtime crowd favourite and someone Mr Noble describes as ‘the greatest living Bluesman,’ Buddy Guy, is to again grace the shire with his bombastic presence.
Mr Guy is of a considerable vintage these days but more than agile on stage and still rather active in his, ahem, intimate life, as he didn’t mind telling the rapt audience when most recenty performing in Byron – be prepared for a good dose of style and humour as well as legacy blues and hopefully some more of the surprise guest artist appearances Mr Guy’s Bluesfest shows are known for.
He’s also an eight-time Grammy winner and Presidential Medal of Art recipient, so if you haven’t caught him live before, try not to miss this ‘historical’ show, as Mr Noble says.
Irish-raised, Byron-loved singer songwriter Áine Tyrell back for Bluesfest
Marcus King Band are Grammy-nominated and are to return to Bluesfest with new album Darling Blue after what Mr Noble says was a successful run of headline shows in 2023.
Other acts announced in this week’s lineup include perennial Byron Shire favourites Xavier Rudd and Áine Tyrrell, the latter perhaps a rare chance to see given her announced return to Ireland this year.
Also on the list is The Living End, Mental As Anything, Mark Seymour and Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, followed by newer acts and festival favourites Skegss; The Dreggs; South Summit; Robert Randolph; Taj Farrant; The Southern River Band; 19-Twenty; Chain; Backsliders; Pierce Brothers; Ray Beadle; Steve Poltz; Daniel Champagne; Nik West; Roshani; Angelique Francis; Jovin Webb; Z-Star; Ben Catley; and Laid Back Country Picker.
‘And this is only the beginning. It’s going to be a great Easter,’ says Mr Noble.
Bluesfest 2026 is scheduled for next Easter at the Byron Events Farm, April 2–5.
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