Sounds of Summer

Australia's festival season is heating up, but for music fans, the cost of entry is rising faster than ever. New analysis by Culture Kings of ticket data from 11 major Australian music festivals shows that prices have surged dramatically beyond inflation and are projected to continue climbing over the next decade.

Award-winning British singer-songwriter Blair Dunlop will return to Australia in March 2026 for a major national tour. The visit follows earlier Australian appearances that built a strong connection with local audiences. Dunlop arrives in notable creative form, touring in support of his fifth studio album Out of the Rain released in 2024.

After a triumphant run of sold out shows in 2023, The Jane Barnes Band is returning to stages across Australia for an encore tour spanning five states, kicking off in Launceston on Thursday, 15 January 2026.

Irish trad supergroup BIIRD will bring their electrifying energy to Sydney's Oxford Art Factory on January 28, 2026, offering fans an intimate sideshow before joining Ed Sheeran on his AU/NZ Loop Tour. The all-female collective's growing reputation as one of Ireland's most exciting modern trad acts.

After 16 years away from Australian stages, Secondhand Serenade, the acclaimed project of Californian singer-songwriter John Vesely, is returning for three highly anticipated shows this December. Kicking off on Friday, December 19 in Melbourne, the tour will also visit Sydney on December 20 and Brisbane on December 21, with a full symphony string section elevating Vesely's signature acoustic sound.

Western Australia is set to host an unforgettable musical weekend as rock icons Jet bring two back-to-back performances to the state over the 2026 long weekend.

The Happy Fits have confirmed their first tour dates for 2026, extending the momentum of their latest album Lovesick. The announcement arrives shortly after the band completed an extensive headline run supporting the release, marking another significant chapter for the New Jersey indie rock outfit as they enter their second decade together.