Music News
Modern Country Festival Strummingbird Announces Huge 2026 Lineup

Australia’s largest touring country festival Strummingbird returns with another crackin’ lineup for 2026, and Grammy-nominated, genre-defying megastar Post Malone is leading the charge. Rolling into Victoria Park Ballarat, Newcastle Foreshore and Sunshine Coast’s Kawana Sports Precinct this October, the stacked lineup spans international heavyweights, alt-country stars, country legends and homegrown favourites worth road-tripping for. If Post Malone’s last visit down under is anything to go by, these tickets won’t last long. Fans wanting to experience Strummingbird 2026 should act now and sign up for the presale for the best chance at tickets.

Three years on from his sold-out Spilt Milk run, Post Malone returns to Australia, and this time, he’s bringing country with him. Malone has spent over a decade racking up record-breaking hits, five American Music Awards and a fanbase that spans every corner of the globe. His star-studded Nashville-style record F-1 Trillion earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album and united legends like Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson and Strummingbird’s alumni Jelly Roll on a single project. That’s without mentioning a back catalogue packed with undeniable solo hits like “Sunflower”, “Rockstar” and “Circles”.
Joining Post Malone is multi-platinum American country artist Bailey Zimmerman – one of the genre’s fastest rising stars. Known for his chart-topping hits and gritty sound, his breakout debut Religiously. The Album. went viral on the back of hits like “Fall In Love”, “Rock and a Hard Place”, “Religiously” and “Where It Ends” before 2025’s Different Night Same Rodeo – featuring a standout collaboration with Luke Combs – cemented his place at the top table. Most recently, his cover of Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb” at Stagecoach stopped the internet in its tracks.
Strummo fans can rev up for rowdy sing-alongs, fearless showmanship and all the unfiltered authenticity of North Carolina musician Cooper Alan. Since his beginnings in cover bands and Nashville honky-tonks, Alan has soared in popularity with his balance of reflective lyrics, witty humour and unique genre blends on anthems like “Plead The Fifth” and “Take Forever (Hally’s Song)”. Two acts currently climbing the Billboard Top 100 make the bill even harder to ignore. LA-based country superstar Stella Lefty is set to deliver a blissed-out performance with feel-good hits like “Boston” and “Thinking ‘bout You” in tow, while Texan outfit Dexter & The Moonrocks bring their self-coined Western Space Grunge to the bill, all DIY grit and rock-driven firepower.
Homegrown hero Brad Cox needs little introduction – from fan-favourite “Lake House”, to acclaimed single “Give Me Tonight” and his heartland rock pivot on Endemic Intelligence in Multiple Dimensions. Highly sought-after, Beyoncé’s COWBOY CARTER songwriter Cam brings her beautiful vocals and introspective blend of folk, country and pop, including Grammy-nominated album All Things Light, while US outfit Cigarettes @ Sunset are set to serve up their signature ‘Possum Rock’ – raw, soulful Americana with an Appalachian edge. CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2025 alumna Kaitlin Butts is ready to sling her soulful voice and theatrical storytelling and rising Californian Noah Rinker arrives with intimate, dusky acoustic anthems. Fresh off 750 million streams and global stages, Sydney’s Sons of the East will bring their beloved blend of blues, classic country, soul and folk back where it belongs. Brisbane native and 2026 Countrytown Breakthrough Artist of the Year nominee Briana Dinsdale joins the lineup, along with Central Queensland cattle station turned global sensation Mack Geiger. Back-to-back CMAA Female Artist of the Year Max Jackson is primed and ready to prove exactly why she’s taken the title twice, running with her electrifying live performance. The earthy presence of Sara Berki will transport crowds to serene outback plains, and bootscootin’ will be guaranteed when country DJ Willie Pake takes the stage.
Each stop on the Strummingbird run brings a local artist along for the ride – repping the country flavours of their own backyard. Ballarat scores the rising folk-country and modern pop infusions of Lewis Love, Newcastle is treated to Gamilaraay artist Loren Ryan and her powerful blend of traditional language and modern acoustic songwriting, while the Sunshine Coast rounds out the tour with Sammy White, whose voice is fast becoming one of the most talked-about in modern Australian country. Keeping boots moving between sets across all three stops, Strummo legend, renowned performer and instructor Maddison Glover is back to lead the line dancing sessions that had crowds kicking up dust last year.
Keen for the full Strummingbird experience? Camping at Sunshine Coast and Ballarat is your best bet. Prefer to leave the driving to someone else? Buses from Melbourne to Ballarat have you covered. Keep your eyes peeled – camping and bus tickets go on sale later in May.
Sign up at strummingbird.com.au to access presale for a shot at lowest-priced tickets, payment plans available. Or you can skip the stress and guarantee yourself a ticket from 12pm AEST Wednesday 6 May with Moshtix Ticket Request, find out more here.
STRUMMINGBIRD FESTIVAL 2026
Presented by Kicks Entertainment
Saturday 10 October – Victoria Park, Ballarat, VIC / Wadawurrung
Saturday 17 October – Newcastle Foreshore, Newcastle, NSW / Awabakal
Sunday 18 October – Kawana Sports Precinct – Sunshine Coast, QLD / Kabi Kabi
LINEUP
POST MALONE
BAILEY ZIMMERMAN
COOPER ALAN
STELLA LEFTY, DEXTER & THE MOONROCKS
(A-Z) BRAD COX, CAM, CIGARETTES @ SUNSET, KAITLIN BUTTS, NOAH RINKER, SONS OF THE EAST
(A-Z) BRIANA DINSDALE, MACK GEIGER, MAX JACKSON
SARA BERKI, LATE NIGHT RIOT WITH WILLIE PAKE
LEWIS LOVE*, LOREN RYAN^, SAMMY WHITE+
& LINE DANCING WITH MADDISON GLOVER
*Ballarat, ^Newcastle +Sunshine Coast
Strummingbird is an all-ages event.
TICKETS
Wednesday 13 May 2026
10am: Sunshine Coast
11am: Newcastle
12pm: Ballarat
Thursday 14 May 2026
10am: All locations
Or lock in your ticket from 12pm Wednesday 6 May with Moshtix Ticket Request
Payment plans available from Wednesday 13 May through PayPal and Afterpay
Sign up for presale & ticket info at strummingbird.com.au
Music News
Soda Stereo Brings Its Global Phenomenon “Ecos” to the U.S
Legendary Argentine rock band Soda Stereo, renowned for their timeless hits and a devoted global following, announce the U.S. leg of their groundbreaking ECOS Tour, set to stop in major cities including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, and more. Marking a bold new chapter for one of Latin rock’s most influential bands, ECOS reimagines their legacy through an innovative live experience unlike anything the band has done before with Gustavo, Charly, and Zeta once again together on the same stage, made possible through cutting-edge technology.
Promoted by Live Nation, SODA STEREO ECOS Tour is already a regional phenomenon, and its debut offered a glimpse of what audiences can expect throughout an extensive international tour that will bring this show to countries across Latin America, Europe, and now the U.S with the tour set to kick off Sep. 10 in San Jose, CA at SAP Center and wraps on Sep. 20 in Miami, FL at Kaseya Center.
Behind the production is a massive collaborative effort involving creative teams, producers, technicians, and specialists across multiple disciplines. The response has been overwhelming—no one wants to be left out. ECOS invites audiences into a world where the unreal becomes real, where dreamlike moments come to life, and where technology makes possible the most anticipated reunion. The band that never left—the one that shaped the history of Spanish-language rock and united generations through its music—beats again, louder than ever.
SPOILER ALERT!!
It’s not a tribute or a homage — it’s not a film.
There are no guest artists or a new singer. It’s a live show.
Soda = Avant-garde
TICKETS: Tickets will be available starting with a Verizon and Citi presale (details below) beginning on Tues., May 5 at 10AM local time. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning on Thurs., May 7 at 10AM local time at LiveNation.com.
CITI PRESALE: Citi is the official card of the ECOS Tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tues., May 5 at 10AM local time until Wed., May 6 at 10PM local time via the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details, visit www.citientertainment.com.
VERIZON PRESALE: Verizon will offer customers an exclusive presale for the ECOS Tour in the U.S – no strings attached, simply for being a Verizon customer. The presale for select shows runs from Tues., May 5 at 10AM local time until Wed., May 6 at 10PM local time. Visit myAccess in the My Verizon app for more details. Learn more about Verizon Access here.
ECOS U.S. Tour Dates
Thu, Sep 10 — San Jose, CA — SAP Center
Sat, Sep 12 — Los Angeles, CA — The Kia Forum
Sun, Sep 13 — Las Vegas, NV — Dolby Live
Thu, Sep 17 — Belmont Park, NY — UBS Arena
Sun, Sep 20 — Miami, FL — Kaseya Center
Music News
Due to Popular Fan Demand Yandel Announces Announces New U.S. Tour Dates of the Sinfónico Tour
Puerto Rican urban music pioneer Yandel, announced today a special gift for his hometown Cayey. The award-winning performer is treating his fans on the Island to his first ever free SINFÓNICO concert at La Plaza de Cayey. The one-night only live event celebration is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026 (Mother’s Day weekend).
The urban music icon amplifies his connection with fans in Puerto Rico, headlining the first-ever Amazon Music flagship series, “Amazon Music City Sessions, Puerto Rico” in San Juan on May 5.
As SINFÓNICO continues to captivate sold-out audiences worldwide, the Puerto Rican music icon also announces the addition of new U.S. show dates set begin Sep. 25 in Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena with stops in Houston, El Paso, Las Vegas, and San Diego before concluding on Nov.1 in Morrison, COat Red Rocks Amphitheater. Promoted by Live Nation, tickets to the new dates in the U.S. will be available via various pre-sales taking place Thursday, May 7 at from 10am to 10pm local time ahead of the general on sale beginning Friday, May 8 at 10am local time at yandel.com. Tickets for international destinations are now on sale HERE.
SINFÓNICO DATES:
INTERNATIONAL
May 2 Medellin, Colombia
May 5 San Juan, PR
May 9 Cayey, PR
May 22 Acapulco, MX
May 24 Chicago, IL
May 28 Nicaragua
May 29 Guatemala, GT
May 30 Guatemala, GT
July 11 Sevilla, Spain
July 12 Acoruña, Spain
July 17 Barcelona, Spain
July 18 Marbella, Spain
July 21 London, England
July 24 Gran Canaria
July 29 Murcia, Spain
July 31 Valencia, Spain
Aug 7 Rosarito, Mexico
Aug 8 Mexicali, Mexico
Aug 14 Hermosillo, Mexico
Aug 15 Monterrey, Mexico
Aug 29 Quito, Ecuador
Nov 14 Madrid, Spain
Nov 27 Puebla, Mexico
UNITED STATES
Sep 25 Los Angeles, CA/Crypto.com Arena
Sep 27 San Jose, CA/ SAP Center
Oct 9 Laredo, TX/ Sames Auto Arena
Oct 10 Houston, TX/ Toyota Center
Oct 16 Hidalgo, TX/ Payne Arena
Oct 18 El Paso, TX/ UTEP Don Haskins Center
Oct 29 Las Vegas, NV/ PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
Oct 30 San Diego, CA/ Viejas Arena
Nov 1 Morrison, CO/ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
The Yandel – SINFÓNICO Tour brings Yandel’s electrifying reggaeton hits to life as an innovative live experience, fusing them with the majestic sound of a live philharmonic orchestra. This groundbreaking experience marked another first in Yandel’s career, establishing him as the first artist in his genre to reimagine his greatest hits in a symphonic format and embark on a live tour alongside orchestras worldwide, joined by his full band and dance crew to deliver a show that merges the rhythm of reggaeton with the sophistication of classical music.
The U.S. concerts, presented by Live Nation, kicked off on May 30 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and have been non-stop, playing prestigious venues in Puerto Rico, Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, Highland, CA, Phoenix, El Paso, San Antonio, Austin, McAllen, San Diego, Fresno, San Jose, Salt Lake City, Denver, Madrid, Merida, Lima, Buenos Aires, Bolivia, Santa Cruz, Viña del Mar, República Dominicana, Saltillo, Torreon, San Salvador, Costa Rica, Guadalajara, Veracruz, Puebla, Leon, Queretaro, Coatzacoalcos, among others.
