Strummingbird has replaced Post Malone across its three Australian dates after the singer postponed his Australian and Asian touring commitments, with Tyler Childers, Sam Barber and James Johnston joining the 2026 lineup.
by Paul Cashmere
Post Malone will no longer headline the 2026 Strummingbird Festival after postponing his Australian and Asian touring commitments, forcing the country music event to revise its lineup less than two months before its October dates. Strummingbird has confirmed Tyler Childers, Sam Barber and James Johnston as replacements, with the three artists allocated across Ballarat, Newcastle and the Sunshine Coast.
Post Malone had been scheduled to headline all three Strummingbird events, beginning at Victoria Park in Ballarat on October 10, followed by Newcastle Foreshore on October 17 and the Kawana Sports Precinct on the Sunshine Coast on October 18.
His withdrawal follows the postponement of the Australian and New Zealand leg of his BIG ASS World Tour with Don Toliver. The stadium tour had been scheduled to take Post Malone to Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney in October. No reason has been given for the postponement, and no replacement dates have been announced.
Strummingbird organisers have now moved quickly to restructure the festival bill rather than postpone the events themselves.
“We’re gutted to let you know that Post Malone will no longer be headlining Strummingbird, due to the recent postponement of his Asia and Australian tours,” the festival said in its announcement.
“While we are saddened by this news, we’re stoked to announce that Tyler Childers, Sam Barber and James Johnston are joining the Strummingbird line-up in his place.”
The replacement bookings are being distributed across the three festivals. Tyler Childers will perform at Newcastle and the Sunshine Coast, while Sam Barber will appear exclusively at Ballarat. James Johnston will perform at all three events. Strummingbird identifies the Childers and Barber performances as Australian exclusives.
The revised lineup retains Bailey Zimmerman, Cooper Alan, Stella Lefty and Dexter & The Moonrocks, alongside Australian and international artists including Brad Cox, Cam, Cigarettes @ Sunset, Kaitlin Butts, Noah Rinker, Sons Of The East, Briana Dinsdale, Mack Geiger, Max Jackson and Sara Berki.
Strummingbird’s 2026 announcement originally positioned Post Malone at the centre of a bill reflecting the continuing overlap between mainstream country, rock, pop and hip hop. His withdrawal changes the festival’s headline structure, but the additions of Childers and Barber maintain a strong American country presence across the three locations.
The festival’s official schedule remains unchanged, with Ballarat on October 10, Newcastle on October 17 and the Sunshine Coast on October 18. Official Strummingbird information confirms the Ballarat event will be held at Victoria Park, Newcastle at Newcastle Foreshore and the Sunshine Coast at Kawana Sports Precinct.
Childers brings substantial Australian touring history to the revised bill. The Kentucky singer-songwriter has previously built a strong following in Australia through his recordings and live performances. His inclusion gives the Newcastle and Sunshine Coast events a headline-level American country artist in place of Malone.
Sam Barber’s addition provides a different route into the contemporary country market. The Missouri-born artist has built an audience through streaming and social platforms, with songs including “Straight And Narrow” and “Indigo”. His Ballarat appearance will be his Australian exclusive according to Strummingbird.
James Johnston provides the Australian connection across all three dates. His addition also means each festival retains a homegrown country artist in a prominent position despite the loss of Malone.
Post Malone’s scheduled Australian stadium dates had been set for Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on October 9, Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on October 12 and ENGIE Stadium in Sydney on October 15. Live Nation advised ticket holders that the postponed shows would not proceed on those dates and that tickets would be refunded.
For Strummingbird ticket holders, the festival has taken a different approach. The three events will proceed with the amended lineup, while organisers have acknowledged that some customers may no longer wish to attend following Malone’s withdrawal.
Refunds are available through Moshtix until 5pm AEST on Thursday, September 3. The festival has stated that customers who decide the revised lineup is no longer suitable can request their money back during that period.
The change comes after Strummingbird’s original May announcement placed Post Malone at the top of a broad country-focused bill. Noise11 reported at the time that the festival would travel through three states over the October weekend series, with the lineup also including Zimmerman, Cooper Alan, Stella Lefty and Dexter & The Moonrocks.
With Post Malone no longer part of the event, Strummingbird’s 2026 edition will instead be defined by a trio of replacement headliners operating across different markets. Childers takes the Newcastle and Sunshine Coast dates, Barber anchors Ballarat, and Johnston appears throughout the festival’s national run.
Strummingbird is still scheduled to proceed in October. Set times have not yet been announced, with Strummingbird stating that detailed running orders and event maps will be released closer to the festival dates.
Tour Dates
Saturday 10 October, Ballarat, Victoria Park
Saturday 17 October, Newcastle, Newcastle Foreshore
Sunday 18 October, Sunshine Coast, Kawana Sports Precinct
Ticket Details
Strummingbird refunds are available through Moshtix until 5pm AEST Thursday, September 3. Remaining tickets are available through the official Strummingbird ticketing system.
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