The Winter Blues Festival is set to return to Echuca in 2026, bringing four days of world-class blues and roots music to the Murray Region. Long regarded as a homecoming for music enthusiasts, the festival transforms Echuca–Moama into a vibrant live music hub each winter, with performances spilling across venues, streets, and the riverfront, creating unforgettable experiences for attendees.
Celebrating blues and roots music from across Australia, Winter Blues provides a weekend where fans reconnect with favourite artists, forge new friendships, and immerse themselves in live music that dominates the region. The festival has earned a reputation not just for its performances, but for its sense of community and the connection it fosters between audiences, musicians, and local businesses.
Following a highly successful year in 2025—marked by outstanding performances, strong community engagement, and a significant boost to local tourism—the organisers have now revealed the first round of artists for the 2026 festival.
2026 First Artist Line-up
| Artist / Band | Type |
|---|---|
| 19 Twenty | Band |
| Cam Walter Blues | Blues Artist |
| Cass Eager | Singer-Songwriter |
| Eddy and the Exciters | Band |
| Elly Poletti | Singer |
| Frank Sultana Blues Band | Band |
| Geoff Achison and The Souldiggers | Band |
| The Honey Badgers | Band |
| Jack and The Axes | Band |
| Jesse Redwing | Singer |
| Jesse Valach & The Testaments | Band |
| Kathleen Halloran | Singer |
| Liza Ohlback & The Mercy Train | Band |
| Nathan Cavaleri | Singer |
| Oscar LaDell | Singer |
| Otis Namrell Band | Band |
| Ray Beadle | Singer |
| Sam Buckley Band | Band |
| Sammy Owen Blues Band | Band |
| Sweet Felicia and The Honeytones | Band |
Jon Howell, the festival’s music programmer, expressed his enthusiasm for this year’s line-up: “I’m thrilled to be programming my fifth Winter Blues Festival. Over the years, the festival has become the premier place to experience Australia’s finest blues and roots artists. We’re delighted to welcome back 19 Twenty for their eleventh appearance and to feature ‘hall of fame’ artists like Sweet Felicia, Geoff Achison, Ray Beadle, Liza Ohlback, and Frank Sultana. Alongside them, we are presenting some incredibly promising new acts including Jack and The Axes, Elly Poletti, Kathleen Halloran, and Otis Namrell. This first announcement is only a glimpse—our second announcement promises some exciting surprises.”
Boosting Community and Economy
Beyond music, Winter Blues Festival contributes substantially to the Echuca–Moama region’s social and economic fabric. Each year, the festival delivers benefits such as:
| Benefit | Impact |
|---|---|
| Tourism Growth | Increased visitation during winter season |
| Local Business | Boost for hotels, cafés, restaurants, and retailers |
| Employment | Opportunities for hospitality, production, and event staff |
| Artist Development | Platforms for Australian artists and emerging talent |
| National Visibility | Strengthens Echuca–Moama as a cultural and live music destination |
The festival is widely recognised as a driver of regional pride, cultural identity, and economic activity. By connecting artists, audiences, and local businesses in a vibrant, collaborative environment, Winter Blues is more than just a music festival—it is a cornerstone event that energises the entire community.
With this first line-up announced, anticipation is already building for what promises to be the festival’s most remarkable edition yet, solidifying Winter Blues’ reputation as a premier celebration of Australian music and culture.