> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.hypebot.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Amidst the 2026 Bluesfest Cancellation, Artists Keep AU/NZ Tours Intact - URL: https://www.hypebot.com/amidst-the-2026-bluesfest-cancellation-artists-keep-au-nz-tours-intact/ - Published: 2026-03-24T15:14:17.000Z - Updated: 2026-03-24T15:14:17.000Z - Description: Despite the fallout surrounding the New South Wales music festival's abrupt cancellation due to financial uncertainty, several high-profile acts have committed to continue their down under concert plans. - Author: Hypebot Editorial Desk - Tags: Festivals, The Live Stage, News, Australia, New Zealand, Bluesfest, music festivals Australia’s long-running [**Byron Bay Bluesfest**](https://www.bluesfest.com.au/?ref=hypebot.com) has been [abruptly cancelled](https://themusicnetwork.com/bluesfest-cancelled-2026/?ref=hypebot.com) just weeks before its scheduled return, sending shockwaves through the country’s live music sector. The music festival was originally set for April 2–5, but was called off amid rising production and touring costs, softer ticket demand, and broader uncertainty around international touring. The fallout has been immediate. With the event now in liquidation and millions owed to ticket holders and creditors, the cancellation has raised fresh concerns about the financial fragility of [large-scale festivals](https://www.hypebot.com/tag/festivals/) and the risks tied to advance ticket sales. The festival's 2026 lineup was indeed stacked. High-profile main stage acts included Erykah Badu, Buddy Guy, The Wailers, Split Enz, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sublime, Counting Crows, The Black Crowes, The Pogues, and others. Longstanding Bluesfest director Peter Noble said in a statement: > *“For more than three decades, Bluesfest has brought extraordinary artists and audiences together in Byron Bay while also driving significant tourism and economic activity for the Northern Rivers and New South Wales. This makes the decision incredibly difficult. After careful consideration, we concluded we could not proceed in a way that would meet the standard our audiences, artists and partners expect.”* ![undefined](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Peter_Noble_By_Dane_Beesley.jpg/1920px-Peter_Noble_By_Dane_Beesley.jpg) **Bluesfest director since 1994, Peter Noble.* Yet, while Bluesfest itself won’t go ahead, many of the artists who were slated to perform are choosing not to walk away from the region entirely. Instead, several acts have confirmed they will continue with their Australian and New Zealand tour plans, reshaping schedules and locking in standalone headline shows across the country. It's the fans who benefit most. In this way, the broader picture is one of resilience. Even as one of Australia’s most established festivals collapses, the touring ecosystem around it is adapting in real time — with artists, promoters, and venues stepping in to fill the gap and maintain momentum. Here are the upcoming tour dates from some of Bluesfest's booked artists, [courtesy of Bandsintown](https://www.bandsintown.com/?ref=hypebot.com). --- ## [**The Black Crowes 2026 Tour Dates**](https://www.bandsintown.com/a/3403-the-black-crowes?ref=hypebot.com) APR 02 — Melbourne, Australia @ Forum Melbourne APR 03 — Melbourne, Australia @ Forum Melbourne APR 06 — Brisbane, Australia @ The Fortitude Music Hall APR 08 — Newtown, Australia @ Enmore Theatre APR 09 — Newtown, Australia @ Enmore Theatre ## [**Counting Crows 2026 Tour Dates**](https://www.bandsintown.com/a/391-counting-crows?ref=hypebot.com) MAR 27 — Adelaide, Australia @ Festival Theatre (Main Entrance) MAR 29 — Newtown, Australia @ Enmore Theatre MAR 30 — Newtown, Australia @ Enmore Theatre APR 01 — St Kilda, Australia @ Palais Theatre APR 02 — St Kilda, Australia @ Palais Theatre APR 04 — Brisbane, Australia @ The Fortitude Music Hall APR 06 — Newtown, Australia @ Enmore Theatre ## [**Earth, Wind & Fire 2026 Tour Dates**](https://www.bandsintown.com/a/13561817-earth-wind-and-fire?ref=hypebot.com) APR 05 — Sydney, Australia @ TikTok Entertainment Centre APR 08 — South Wharf, Australia @ Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre ## [**Erykah Badu 2026 Tour Dates**](https://www.bandsintown.com/a/787-erykah-badu?ref=hypebot.com) APR 01 — Melbourne, Australia @ Margaret Court Arena APR 04 — Sydney, Australia @ TikTok Entertainment Centre ## [**The Living End 2026 Tour Dates**](https://www.bandsintown.com/a/1151-the-living-end?ref=hypebot.com) APR 04 — Brunswick Heads, Australia @ Beat The Cancellation Blues MAY 09 — Hillvue, Australia @ Great Sourthern Nights Live Fest MAY 16 — The Gardens, Australia @ Bass In The Grass 2026 JUL 08-09 — Birdsville, Australia @ Big Red Bash 2026 ## [**Marcus King Band 2026 Tour Dates**](https://www.bandsintown.com/a/2514833-marcus-king?ref=hypebot.com) APR 01 — Auckland, New Zealand @ Powerstation APR 08 — Newtown, Australia @ Enmore Theatre APR 10 — Melbourne, Australia @ Forum Melbourne APR 11 — Adelaide, Australia @ Hindley Street Music Hall ## [**The Pogues 2026 Tour Dates**](https://www.bandsintown.com/a/50393-the-pogues?ref=hypebot.com) MAR 25 — Fremantle, Australia @ Fremantle Prison MAR 27 — Adelaide, Australia @ Hindley Street Music Hall MAR 29 — Melbourne, Australia @ Forum Melbourne MAR 31 — Melbourne, Australia @ Forum Melbourne APR 02 — Brisbane, Australia @ The Fortitude Music Hall APR 08 — Wellington Central, New Zealand @ St James Theatre Wellington APR 09 — Christchurch, New Zealand @ Christchurch Town Hall APR 11 — Auckland, New Zealand @ New Zealand International Convention Centre ## [**Split Enz 2026 Tour Dates**](https://www.bandsintown.com/a/36413-split-enz?ref=hypebot.com) MAY 06 — Wellington, New Zealand @ TSB Arena MAY 07 — Wellington, New Zealand @ TSB Arena MAY 09 — Auckland, New Zealand @ Spark Arena MAY 10 — Auckland, New Zealand @ Spark Arena MAY 13 — Melbourne, Australia @ Rod Laver Arena MAY 14 — Melbourne, Australia @ Rod Laver Arena MAY 18 — Sydney, Australia @ Darling Harbour Theatre MAY 19 — Sydney, Australia @ Darling Harbour Theatre MAY 22 — Perth, Australia @ RAC Arena MAY 25 — Hindmarsh, Australia @ Adelaide Entertainment Centre ## [**Sublime 2026 Tour Dates**](https://www.bandsintown.com/a/109-sublime?ref=hypebot.com) APR 01 — West Melbourne, Australia @ Festival Hall Melbourne APR 04 — Moore Park, Australia @ Hordern Pavilion APR 08 — Christchurch, New Zealand @ Wolfbrook Arena APR 10 — Auckland, New Zealand @ The Trusts Arena APR 11 — Upper Hutt, New Zealand @ Brewtown Upper Hutt ## [**The Wailers 2026 Tour Dates**](https://www.bandsintown.com/a/14268931-the-wailers?ref=hypebot.com) APR 01 — Gosford, Australia @ Drifters Wharf APR 02 — Sydney, Australia @ Metro Theatre APR 03 — Port Macquarie, Australia @ Finnian's Tavern APR 04 — Coffs Harbour, Australia @ The Coffs Hotel APR 05 — Brunswick Heads, Australia @ Hotel Brunswick