After taking a fallow year in 2025, Australia's ultimate desert destination event, Birdsville's Big Red Bash returns to the Simpson Desert in 2026, and the all-Australian line-up is epic.
Slated for 7-9 July, the recent winner of the APRA AMOS Songwriter Award at 2025 Australian Women In Music Awards, Missy Higgins leads the charge in 2026, and she's amped to return to the desert.
"My band and I absolutely love playing in the desert for The Big Red Bash. Surrounded by giant sand dunes and people having travelled miles in their dusty caravans to get there. . . it's so unique and so Australian. There is an incredible line-up set for 2026 and we're all thrilled to be invited back to play again."
Adding to the star power will be the country-rock-roots magic of The Teskey Brothers, who'll make their Bash live debut; and Josh is keen-as to get involved. "We've heard a lot about these desert shows from our friends and we can't wait to get out there in the red dust and see what it's all about. Very excited for these shows."
The sonic goodness continues with new wave garage rockers Hoodoo Gurus joining the bill, alongside rockabilly punks The Living End, pop-rock icons Birds Of Tokyo and pop-soul-R&B queen Jessica Mauboy, who was recently inducted into the National Indigenous Music Awards' Hall Of Fame.
"We're psyched to be making a return visit to The Big Red Bash next year," declares Hoodoo's Dave Faulkner. "Our first-and only-time there in 2023 was one of the most memorable gigs of our lives!
"What an insane idea: gather a motley crew of merry misfits and savvy self-starters and head out to the back-of-beyond to enjoy a few days of music, mirth and merriment?! Whoever thought of that is a genius because it was amazing and I can't wait to experience it again."
The 2026 line-up is further cemented with the Aussie goodness of Shannon Noll, Kate Ceberano, The Whitlams, Tim Finn (we're claiming him as an Aussie!), Troy Cassar-Daley Chocolate Starfish and Ross Wilson.
2026 will also see Gypsy Lee join her mother and Bash regular Kate Ceberano for the first time in Birdsville, while Jem Cassar-Daley will also join her father Troy at the event for another familial moment on the edge of the Simpson Desert.
"We're stoked to be bringing back the full Birdsville Big Red Bash after taking a breather this year," says Greg Donovan, Bash event founder/ owner. "Our team are recharged and ready to give festival goers an unforgettable outback adventure."
For Donovan, the Bash is more than music – it's about moments. "Watching families dance in the shadow of the 40-metre-high Big Red sand dune as the sun sets behind it. . . is pure magic."
While festival location is remote, it is easily accessible by road with sealed road options right to Birdsville and a short distance of graded gravel road to reach the Big Red Bash site.
Tickets on sale from 10am AEDT on 23 October.
Birdsville Big Red Bash takes place at the Big Red Sand Dune, 35km west of Birdsville from 7-9 July, 2026.
Birdsville Big Red Bash 2026 Line-up
Missy HigginsHoodoo Gurus
The Teskey Brothers
The Living End
Birds of Tokyo
Jessica Mauboy
Shannon Noll
Kate Ceberano
The Whitlams
Tim Finn
Troy Cassar-Daley
Chocolate Starfish
Ross Wilson
Furnace and the Fundamentals
50 Years of Fleetwood Mac
Shane Howard
Wes Carr
Jem Cassar-Daley
Tom Busby
Gypsy Lee
