The Queen of Neo Soul, Erykah Badu tours Australia for the first time in 12 years in 2026.
The American artist responsible for such hits like 'Didn't Cha Know', 'On & On', 'Next Lifetime', 'Appletree' and 'Window Seat' will headline concerts in Melbourne and Sydney as well as returning to Bluesfest this April.
"Erykah Badu, The Queen of Neo Soul, last played Bluesfest in 2012," Peter Noble OAM, Festival Director, says.
"Interestingly, so did Earth, Wind & Fire. This year, they will be playing on the same night, on the same stage, one after the other, Good Friday, April 3.
"That did not happen in 2012 when they played on different nights. This time, it is five-time, including 2025, Grammy winner Erykah Badu into Earth, Wind & Fire, back-to-back on the same stage. If you miss this you will surely have a hole in your soul."
A cultural icon who emerged alongside the likes of D’Angelo and Maxwell in the '90s, Badu helped reshape the sound, language and spirit of modern Black music mixing hip hop, soul, funk, jazz, and R&B.
A five-time Grammy Award winner, including winning Best Melodic Rap Performance last year for her '3:AM' collab with Rapsody, Erykah's current live show is titled Walk Between Worlds, where she morphs between musical, cultural and emotional worlds while never being fixed to one.
It also reflects where Badu is now. An artist honouring legacy while actively creating, evolving and looking forward. Not a nostalgia act. Not a reinvention. A continuation.
With five studio albums to her name, later this year Badu will release a joint album project with The Alchemist titled 'Abi & Alan', which they previewed last year with the single 'Next To You'.
Tickets to Melbourne and Sydney shows on sale from 11am AEDT on 27 January. Bluesfest tickets are on sale.
Erykah Badu 2026 Tour Dates
Wed 1 Apr - Margaret Court Arena (Melbourne)
Fri 3 Apr - Bluesfest (Byron Bay)
Sat 4 Apr - TikTok Entertainment Centre (Sydney)
