Australia’s live-music scene is gearing up for a blockbuster year in 2026, with several major international artists, national festivals and local favourites locking in dates across the country. Here’s what music fans can expect as the 2026 touring calendar begins to take shape.
Global Superstars Return to Australian Stages
One of the biggest announcements so far is Ed Sheeran’s 2026 Loop World Tour, set to run from 31 January to 6 March. The British singer-songwriter will perform in every major capital city, including Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. His last Australian tour broke attendance records — and promoters expect demand to be just as high this time around.
Another highlight for early 2026 is the return of Lorde, who will bring her new arena show to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in February. The New Zealand artist has described the Australian leg as one of her “most anticipated tour stops”, following a pause from large-scale touring during the early 2020s.
Festival-goers will also have plenty to look forward to when Laneway Festival shifts part of its program to the Gold Coast. The 2026 lineup is set to feature rising global pop sensation Chappell Roan, with organisers promising one of the festival’s most diverse rosters to date.
Homegrown Acts Lead Major Local Festivals
Australian artists will play a central role in the Red Hot Summer Tour 2026, which continues its tradition of taking iconic local acts to regional and coastal venues. Names already confirmed include Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins and The Cat Empire — a strong signal that organisers are aiming for an all-ages, all-Aussie atmosphere.
Industry watchers say this resurgence of domestic festival activity reflects both rising demand for outdoor shows and increased stability in the national touring market after several years of volatility.
A Strong Start to the Year for Live Music
With multiple stadium-level acts touring in January and February, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest starts to the live-music calendar in recent years. Ticketing platforms have reported unusually high pre-registration numbers, particularly for Sheeran’s and Lorde’s tours.
Music-industry analysts say the strong early announcements show confidence from promoters, who are once again treating Australia as a key stop in global touring circuits after a period of reduced activity during the early 2020s.
What Fans Should Expect
Concert-goers planning to travel for major tours are being urged to book accommodation well in advance, with several cities expecting surges in demand around festival weekends.
Meanwhile, smaller venues across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are also releasing their 2026 gig guides, signalling a resurgence of club-level shows for indie, rock and electronic artists. Promoters say the appetite for intimate gigs is growing alongside the stadium boom.
The Bottom Line
From stadium blockbusters to boutique festivals, 2026 is lining up to be a standout year for live music in Australia. With more tours expected to be announced throughout summer, fans can look forward to one of the most vibrant and diverse concert seasons the country has seen in years.
