The Wailers and The Pogues Announce Rescheduled Australian Tour Dates After Bluesfest Cancellation
The Wailers and The Pogues have announced updated Australian tour dates following the cancellation of Bluesfest 2026, reassuring fans that their performances will proceed.
Two acts initially slated for the cancelled Bluesfest 2026 lineup have confirmed they are moving forward with their Australian tours.
The Wailers and The Pogues both announced updated plans on Saturday, March 21st, joining Sublime and Counting Crows in assuring fans that their shows will continue despite the festival’s cancellation.
The Wailers have announced a new string of East Coast dates, presented by Noisy Group, with shows in Gosford, Sydney, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, and Brunswick Heads throughout Easter weekend. A previously scheduled Melbourne date has been removed from the itinerary.
The band’s 2026 tour commemorates the 50th anniversary of Rastaman Vibration—Bob Marley’s seminal 1976 album that marked the commercial breakthrough of reggae in the United States. Rastaman Vibration peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200, becoming the first Bob Marley release to reach the top 10, and featured “Roots, Rock, Reggae”—the only Marley single to hit the Billboard Hot 100.
The Wailers are currently led by Aston Barrett Jr., son of legendary bassist Aston “Familyman” Barrett, and vocalist Mitchell Brunings.
The Pogues have also confirmed that their Australian and New Zealand tour is proceeding as planned, with an added Brisbane show at Fortitude Music Hall on April 2nd.
Tickets for the new date went on sale Monday, March 23rd, via Ticketmaster. The Celtic punk band’s tour celebrates the 40th anniversary of Rum, Sodomy & the Lash, their acclaimed 1985 second album. Original members James Fearnley, Jem Finer, and Spider Stacy will perform alongside Daragh Lynch, Iona Zajac, John Francis Flynn, and Lisa O’Neill.
These confirmations come amid concerns about the financial repercussions of Bluesfest’s cancellation for international touring acts. Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz suggested that many acts on the bill may not have received upfront payments for their festival appearances, potentially leading to further tour cancellations.
Bluesfest, originally scheduled for April 2–5 at Byron Events Farm, was cancelled on March 13th due to rising costs and low ticket sales, leading to the appointment of a liquidator to manage the festival's financial affairs.
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