By Kathy McCabe
Copyright news
The Pink Pony Club singer’s elevation to the successful festival’s top spot demonstrates two years is a lifetime in pop music.
Roan packed out sweaty, more intimate venues on her last visit to Australia in late 2023 as her break-out record The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess began its ascent to the upper echelons of the global charts.
Other acts to stoke excitement among Aussie festivalgoers include indie rocker Alex G, English rock bands Wolf Alice and Wet Leg, American singer songwriter Role Model, Kiwi star Benee and genre-bending pop artist PinkPantheress.
Other international acts you’re likely to hear on Triple J who have been booked to play the five festival stops in February are Lucy Dacus, Gigi Perez, Geese and Yung Lean & Bladee.
Canberra indie band Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers. who Pearl Jam took to America to open shows on their tour, lead the Aussie squad on the 2026 bill, which also includes rising pop trio Blusher and First Nations solo artist Djanaba.
Fans of the travelling music showcase which has thrived despite the downturn in the Australian festival market were mostly positive about the 2026 field of entertainers.
It follows this year’s successful Brat Summer Laneway which was headlined by Charli XCX and also featured a pop-heavy field.
“The person responsible for this needs a hefty raise,” posted one fan.
Another commented the eclectic field of artists was “so for the girls, gays and theys and I love it.”
Promoter Danny Rogers was humbled by the response to the 2026 program for a festival that literally started in a Melbourne laneway 21 years ago and has grown to become one of the most anticipated events on the Australian live music calendar.
“Love all those that continue to believe in the little festival that could,” promoter Danny Rogers posted as the line-up dropped.
The 2026 Laneway festival opens at Southport Sharks on the Gold Coast on February 7 and then heads to Sydney’s Centennial Park on February 8, Melbourne’s Flemington Park on February 13, the Adelaide Showgrounds on February 14 and Arena Joondalup in Perth on February 15.
The Laneway Festival pre-sale opens September 23 with staggered release times across each city with the general on-sale opening on September 24 from 10am AEST.
For all ticketing details and to sign up for the pre-sale, head to lanewayfestival.com
