Kennedy Honors

Byron Bay Bluesfest will roar into its 37th edition in 2026 with one of the most important reunions in Australasian music history. Split Enz, in their first Australian appearance in two decades, will headline the Easter weekend event from 2 to 5 April 2026, confirming a landmark moment for the festival and for generations of fans who witnessed the band rewrite the rules of art-pop and new wave.

At 86, Mavis Staples is still proving that the power of song can change the world. The soul, gospel and civil rights icon will release her new album Sad And Beautiful World on 7 November 2025, an extraordinary project that spans seven decades of the American songbook while showcasing her timeless voice and message of unity.

More than seventy years into her career, Mavis Staples is still proving why her voice is one of the most cherished in music. The soul legend has released the title track from her forthcoming album Sad And Beautiful World, due out on 7 November, a record that brings together timeless songs, new originals, and a line-up of music royalty.

Joe Bonamassa has unveiled a landmark tribute to B.B. King on what would have been the late blues legend's 100th birthday. B.B. King's Blues Summit 100 will be released through Bonamassa's KTBA Records, with the full album set to arrive on 6 February 2026.

Memphis blues virtuoso Eric Gales has today released his fiery new single You Shouldn’t Have Left Me, a searing taste of his forthcoming record A Tribute To LJK. The album, dedicated to his late brother Manuel Gales – better known to blues fans as Little Jimmy King – is available digitally from today and will receive a physical release on 24 October through Provogue.

Eric Gales has some famous friends including Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa and Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram to help pay tribute to his brother Emmanuel Gales aka Little Jimmy King on the upcoming album ‘A Tribute To Little Jimmy King’.

At 88 years old, Buddy Guy refuses to let age or expectation dictate the tempo of his career and that is the case for his 89th year as well. Buddy’s forthcoming album Ain’t Done With the Blues is set for release 30 July 2025, Buddy’s 89th birthday.