Iconic New Zealand rockers Split Enz set to reunite at Bluesfest 2026

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Iconic New Zealand rockers Split Enz are reuniting to play their first shows in 17 years.

After a highly anticipated comeback performance in Christchurch this February, the iconic pop band will be the main act at Bluesfest in Byron Bay in April 2026.

Split Enz’s performance at Bluesfest, featuring artists like The Black Crowes, Earth Wind and Fire, and Buddy Guy, will kick off a busy period for the band.

In May, the band will be hitting the road for a four-city Australian tour. They’ll be performing in Melbourne at Rod Laver Arena, Sydney’s ICC Theatre, and Perth’s RAC Arena, with a final show planned for the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

The tour coincides with the 50th anniversary of the band’s debut album Mental Notes.

As a huge music fan, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news! For the 2026 shows, we’ve got an incredible lineup featuring original Split Enz members – Neil and Tim Finn, along with Eddie Rayner and Noel Crombie. To really round things out, we’ve added the fantastic Matt Eccles on drums and James Milne on bass. It’s going to be a phenomenal show bringing together all this talent!

Fans haven’t seen this unique and popular band perform live since they got back together for a charity concert in Melbourne in 2009.

Oh my gosh, you guys, Peter Noble – the absolute legend who runs Bluesfest – just promised that my all-time favorite band is coming back! He said it’s going to be huge, a real triumphant return for them at the festival. I’m seriously losing it right now – it’s going to be incredible!

Split Enz is returning to Australia for the first time since 2006, and they’ll be performing at Byron Bay Bluesfest. The band announced the news with excitement, saying, ‘Here we go!’

Split Enz is known for their string of popular songs, including classics like ‘I Got You’, ‘Message To My Girl’, and ‘Six Months in a Leaky Boat’.

Split Enz began as a band in New Zealand before moving to Australia in 1975. Over the years, they’ve become one of the most influential bands to come out of Australia and New Zealand in the last fifty years.

The band created a series of incredibly popular and influential songs, and their 1980 album, True Colours, went five times platinum.

The group received 14 nominations for TV Week/Countdown awards, ultimately winning three. In 2005, they were recognized for their lasting impact with induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Following their break-up in 1984, Tim Finn went on to pursue a solo career.

Brother Neil meanwhile, along with Split Enz drummer Paul Hester, formed Crowded House in 1985.

Sadly, Paul died by suicide in March 2005, aged 46.    

Bluesfest organizers initially announced in August 2024 that the 2025 festival would be the last. However, they’ve now confirmed the event will continue, with plans for at least one more festival in 2026.

Peter Noble stated at the time that the festival is the best-selling in the country, a position they’ve earned through dedicated effort.

He said he was deeply touched by the outpouring of support from artists and fans after he revealed the festival might be canceled.

He said the continued support from Bluesfest fans is what’s kept this vision going, and it’s incredibly inspiring to him.

‘People want this event. People want it to continue.’ 

As a long-time Bluesfest fan, I’ve seen the festival weather a lot of storms – and not just the literal ones! Like so many Aussie festivals, they’ve had to deal with rising costs, people changing how they buy tickets, and of course, the huge setbacks of the pandemic and some really wild weather events. It’s been tough, but I’m always hoping they’ll pull through.

Bluesfest was forced to close in 2020 because of rules limiting large gatherings, and in 2021, it was cancelled shortly before it was scheduled to begin after a single case of Covid-19 was identified.

The festival made a successful comeback in 2022, attracting around 100,000 attendees over its five-day run.

The 2022 festival featured performances by some of Australia’s most popular artists, including Jimmy Barnes, Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly, The Teskey Brothers, and The Cat Empire.

In the same year, then-opposition leader Anthony Albanese, who later became Prime Minister, appeared on stage at Bluesfest. However, the crowd booed him while he was introducing rock star Jimmy Barnes.

The Bluesfest festivals in 2023 and 2024 didn’t sell all their tickets, creating financial difficulties for the organizers.

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2025-11-11 02:40