The Winter Blues Festival is set to return to Echuca in 2026, offering four days of world-class blues and roots music in the heart of the Murray Region. Long regarded as a homecoming for music enthusiasts, the festival transforms the Echuca–Moama area into a vibrant live music hub each winter, with performances spilling across venues, streets, and the riverfront.
Celebrating blues and roots music from across Australia, Winter Blues provides a unique opportunity for audiences to reconnect with familiar favourites, forge new friendships, and experience live music at its most authentic. Following another highly successful year marked by outstanding performances, community engagement, and significant tourism impact, organisers have announced the first lineup of artists for 2026.
2026 First Artist Lineup
| Artist / Band | Notable Fact |
|---|---|
| 19 Twenty | Returning for their 11th appearance |
| Cam Walter Blues | Renowned Australian blues artist |
| Cass Eager | Emerging roots performer |
| Eddy and the Exciters | Energetic live act |
| Elly Poletti | Promising new talent |
| Frank Sultana Blues Band | Hall of Fame blues artist |
| Geoff Achison and The Souldiggers | Celebrated roots band |
| The Honey Badgers | Local crowd favourite |
| Jack and The Axes | Up-and-coming performers |
| Jesse Redwing | Acclaimed blues guitarist |
| Jesse Valach & The Testaments | Dynamic live presence |
| Kathleen Halloran | Rising roots singer |
| Liza Ohlback & The Mercy Train | Hall of Fame artist |
| Nathan Cavaleri | Internationally recognised guitarist |
| Oscar LaDell | New roots talent |
| Otis Namrell Band | Innovative blues group |
| Ray Beadle | Veteran blues musician |
| Sam Buckley Band | Popular local band |
| Sammy Owen Blues Band | Established regional act |
| Sweet Felicia and The Honeytones | Hall of Fame performer |
Jon Howell, the festival’s music programmer, commented: “I am thrilled to programme my fifth Winter Blues Festival this year. Over this time, the event has become the premier showcase for Australia’s finest blues and roots artists. We are delighted to welcome 19-Twenty back and present hall of fame artists such as Sweet Felicia, Geoff Achison, Ray Beadle, Liza Ohlback, and Frank Sultana alongside exciting new talents like Jack and The Axes, Elly Poletti, Kathleen Halloran, and Otis Namrell.
“This first announcement is just a taste of what’s to come. We are preparing some significant surprises for the second announcement. I anticipate this will be our most outstanding lineup yet, and we hope to see music lovers from across the nation join us this year.”
A Festival That Supports the Entire Region
Winter Blues Festival is more than just a celebration of music — it is a catalyst for community cohesion and regional prosperity. Each year, the festival generates considerable economic and social benefits, including:
Increased visitation during the winter tourism season
Strong trade for local accommodation providers, cafés, restaurants, and retailers
Employment opportunities for hospitality, production, and event staff
Performance opportunities for established and emerging Australian artists
Enhanced national recognition for Echuca–Moama as a live music and cultural destination
The festival has become an enduring driver of regional pride and cultural identity, providing vital support to businesses, workers, and families across the community. By connecting artists, venues, audiences, and local enterprises, Winter Blues remains a rare example of live music at its purest and most impactful form.