This image is musician, songwriter and producer Rob Hirst playing with the Backsliders on the Mojo stage at Bluesfest 2023.

Rob also played Bluesfest in 2022 with a band he founded called Midnight Oil. When they played the first three notes of his song “Beds Are Burning”, I saw the crowd move as one as far as the eye could see. It was an amazing experience I will never forget.

After it was announced the Backsliders would be back for Bluesfest 2026, I downloaded their latest album “Bonecrunch” It is an old school electric blues album, full of rhythmic energy, and perfect for getting your Blues on.

I was listening to it when I read the tragic news that Rob Hirst had lost his battle with cancer. After the initial shock, the music community and Bluesfest responded by announcing a tribute to Rob Hirst to be performed at the festival by a range of musicians. I suspect “Beds Are Burning” will echo around the festival in 2026.

UPDATE: Bluesfest 2026 has been cancelled and the Backsliders Rob Hirst tribute has moved to the Byron Theatre on the 4th April.

Many of the artists from the cancelled Bluesfest 2026 line up are continuing with revised gigs, including….

Sublime:
Wednesday, April 1st – Festival Hall, Melbourne VIC
Saturday, April 4th – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney NSW
Wednesday, April 8th – Wolfbook Arena, Christchurch NZ
Friday, April 10th – Trusts Arena, Auckland NZ
Saturday, April 11th – Brewtown, Wellington NZ

The Black Crowes:
Thursday, April 2nd – The Forum, Melbourne VIC
Friday, April 3rd – The Forum, Melbourne VIC
Monday, April 6th – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane QLD
Wednesday, April 8th (NEW SHOW) – Enmore Theatre, Sydney NSW
Thursday, April 9th – Enmore Theatre, Sydney NSW

Pogues:
Wednesday, March 25th – Fremantle Prison, Fremantle WA
Friday, March 27th – Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide SA
Sunday, March 29th – The Forum, Melbourne VIC
Thursday, April 2nd (NEW SHOW) – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane QLD
Sunday, April 5th – Sydney Opera House, Sydney NSW
Monday, April 6th – Sydney Opera House, Sydney NSW
Wednesday, April 8th – St James Theatre, Wellington NZ
Thursday, April 9th – Christchurch Town Hall, Christchurch NZ
Saturday, April 11th – NZICC Theatre, Auckland NZ

Marcus King:
Wednesday, April 1st – Powerstation, Auckland NZ
Wednesday, April 8th – Enmore Theatre, Sydney NSW
Friday, April 10th – The Forum, Melbourne VIC
Saturday, April 11th – Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide SA

The Wailers:
Wednesday, April 1st – Drifters Wharf, Gosford NSW
Thursday, April 2nd – Metro Theatre, Sydney NSW
Friday, April 3rd – Finnians Tavern, Port Macquarie NSW
Saturday, April 4th – Coffs Hotel, Coffs Harbour NSW
Sunday, April 5th – Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads NSW

Split Enz:
Wednesday, May 6th – TSB Bank Arena, Wellington NZ
Thursday, May 7th – TSB Bank Arena, Wellington NZ
Friday, May 9th – Spark Arena, Auckland NZ
Saturday, May 10th – Spark Arena, Auckland NZ
Wednesday, May 13th – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC
Thursday, May 14th – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC
Monday, May 18th – TikTok Entertainment Centre, Sydney NSW
Tuesday, May 19th – TikTok Entertainment Centre, Sydney NSW
Friday, May 22nd – RAC Arena, Perth WA
Monday, May 25th – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide SA

The Living End:
Saturday, April 4th – Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads NSW