Happy 21st, Laneway
Australia and New Zealand’s most beloved tastemaker festival is officially old enough to order a cocktail. Yep, Laneway Festival turns 21 in 2026, and they’re celebrating in style: a supersized lineup with dream debuts, rare exclusives, and a whole lot of chaos.
Topping the wishlist for years, our lesbian Goddess, Chappell Roan, is finally making her Laneway debut, bringing her gothic fairytale pop extravaganza to Australia for her first-ever national tour. A full 90-minute spectacle. Drag. Sequins. Big vocals. Bigger wigs. If you only go to one festival this summer, it should probably be this.
The Returns and the Exclusives
Laneway regulars know it’s never just about the headliner. 2026 keeps the tradition alive with:
- Wolf Alice — Mercury Prize winners, exclusive to Laneway, and still one of the best live rock bands on the planet.
- Role Model — heartfelt indie-pop anthems with a wink.
- PinkPantheress — genre-mashing brilliance from the internet’s favourite pop alchemist.
- Wet Leg — back to bring their tongue-in-cheek indie chaos straight to your face.
- Yung Lean & Bladee — together, on stage, in Australia. You won’t see this set anywhere else.
Rising Stars and Homegrown Heroes
Laneway has always been about who’s next, and this year’s “remember-their-name” tier includes Malcolm Todd, Oklou, Jensen McRae, Geese, Wisp, and Gigi Perez.
Backing them up? Some of Australia’s most exciting acts — Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Blusher, Shady Nasty, Armlock, The Belair Lip Bombs, and Djanaba. Trust Laneway to balance the global heavyweights with local brilliance.
Bigger, Louder, Wilder
This year’s stats:
- 35% more artists than last year
- A brand-new East Coast stage
- A third of the lineup making their Australian debut
Pre-Sale Panic
Here’s the drill:
- Pre-sale opens Tuesday, 23 September (times staggered by city)
- General on-sale follows Wednesday, 24 September from 10am AEST
- Tickets via lanewayfestival.com
Mark your calendar, set your alarms, bribe your mates. Whatever it takes.
Dates and Places
- Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau — Thu 5 Feb, Western Springs
- Gold Coast / Kombumerri Jagun — Sat 7 Feb, Southport Sharks
- Sydney / Gadigal & Bidjigal — Sun 8 Feb, Centennial Park
- Melbourne / Wurundjeri Biik — Fri 13 Feb, Flemington Park
- Adelaide / Kaurna Yerta — Sat 14 Feb, Showgrounds
- Perth / Whadjuk Boodjar — Sun 15 Feb, Arena Joondalup
Throwback Thursday
Still buzzing from this year’s festival? Same. Check out our Laneway 2025 review for a reminder of the sweat, the sunburn, and the serotonin. Then buckle up, because 2026 is going to be even bigger.
TL;DR
- Laneway Festival 2026 = Chappell Roan’s first-ever Australian tour, plus exclusives from Wolf Alice, PinkPantheress, Wet Leg, and Yung Lean & Bladee
- 35% more artists, new stage, one-third of the lineup debuting down under
- Pre-sale opens Tue 23 Sept, general on-sale Wed 24 Sept, 10am AEST
- Tickets and info: lanewayfestival.com
- Dates: Auckland (5 Feb) → Gold Coast (7 Feb) → Sydney (8 Feb) → Melbourne (13 Feb) → Adelaide (14 Feb) → Perth (15 Feb)
Stay unruly.
