Xavier Rudd
Airlie Beach, 8 Airlie Esplanade, 4802 Airlie Beach Directions
Fri 06.11.2026 16:00
‘Follow the Sun’ to the Airlie Beach Festival of Music
Xavier Rudd, Mental as Anything, The Whitlams and more on first lineup announcement for November 2026
The call is out for fans of Xavier Rudd to ‘Follow the Sun’ to the 2026 Airlie Beach Festival of Music from November 6-8.
Set to arrive straight from a European festival tour, the iconic Australian singer-songwriter says in addition to his much-loved catalogue of hits, a few surprises are in store for the Whitsunday audience, hinting: “There will be some new music at this show, which will be played for the first time in Australia”.
Having visited Airlie Beach briefly on previous Australian tours, Rudd is already familiar with the region’s scenic beauty, but this will be his first time playing its signature event, dubbed a ‘party in paradise’ and the ‘ultimate music holiday’.
“From the photos I’ve seen, the festival setting is amazing,” he said.
“My music is definitely a celebration of our natural world, so a place like Airlie feels especially aligned with songs like ‘Follow the Sun’.
“These are the kinds of shows I love, and hopefully, weather permitting, we can actually pull down the tent and play under the stars!”
Equally as famous for his unwavering commitment to social and environmental activism as he is for his extraordinary gifts as a musician, the significance of playing at a destination known as the ‘Heart of the Great Barrier Reef’ isn’t lost on Rudd.
“I’ve been lucky to witness some of the good work that people are doing in the world of reef regeneration and that’s inspiring,” he said.
“Hopefully we can continue down that path.”
Also urging festivalgoers to ‘Live it Up’ in Airlie Beach is beloved Australian band Mental As Anything, whose performance will form part of a historic 50th anniversary tour, comprising a limited number of exclusive festival appearances and select metropolitan headline shows.
Original member and iconic pop artist, Reg Mombassa, is promising fans a rare and unforgettable opportunity to experience the band’s timeless hits live once more, and celebrate their unique blend of songwriting, artistry, and performance flair.
“We’re known for being a party band, so the Airlie Beach Festival of Music is a perfect fit,” he said.
In total agreeance that there’s ‘No Aphrodisiac’ quite like it are The Whitlams, whose frontman Tim Freedman says the band is thrilled to be one of the festival’s headliners for 2026.
“I’ve been wanting to return to the Whitsundays for decades and now we have the chance,” he said, adding: “it’s a great line-up, music lifts the soul, and we rock!”
Other additions to the first line-up release include The Radiators, Adam Harvey, 19-Twenty, Skinny Living (UK), Little Quirks, The Mason Rack Band, The Wayward Suns, Loonaloop, Salt & Steel and the Airlie Beach Festival of Music’s 2025 Passport to Airlie competition winners Monroe.
Festival Founder, Gavin Butlin, predicts 2026 will be one of the event’s best years yet.
“Mental As Anything has the highest number of hit songs of any Australian band so every single person in the main tent will be singing along,” he said.
“And Xavier Rudd’s live shows are the stuff of legend; I absolutely cannot wait.”
Tickets are on sale now at www.airliebeachfestivalofmusic.com.au costing $325 for a three-day pass, or $1100 for a VIP package, both including entry to the opening and after parties that bookend the main event.
Performers
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Xavier Rudd
Looking back over Xavier Rudd's stunning career, one could easily ask what is possibly left for him to achieve. Already one of Australia's most loved artists, he has earned accolades of every kind, Gold and Platinum certification, and legions of fans worldwide. Yet, with each new release, Xavier Rudd continues to surpass expectation and produce his finest work to date.
Storm Boy, Xavier's ninth studio album, continues this upwards trajectory. Led by the radiating single Walk Away, Storm Boy is both classic Xavier and something a little new. Produced by Chris Bond (Ben Howard, Tom Speight) and mixed by Tim Palmer (Pearl Jam, Bowie, U2) it is a record that reflects the power of Xavier's songwriting – his timeless, philosophical lyrics and his masterful sculpting of melody.
Beginning his career with 2002's definitive To Let, Xavier Rudd put his message out into the world and was answered immediately. Fans from all over the globe were drawn to the distinctly Australian-looking musician, activist and surfer. It was the start of a journey that would span well over 15 years (and counting); taking Xavier to almost every continent on the planet, where he has connected with people from all cultures and walks of life. There are no borders that apply to Xavier Rudd's music.
His earliest live format was a wonderful spectacle, placing Xavier inside a forest of yidakis (didgeridoos) from which he dexterously crafted layers of guitar, percussion, blues harp and vocals. He was distinct, unique and unforgettable. Since then he has played in a variety of solo and band formats, each with an unmistakable personality of its own. The further the ripples of his career reached, the bigger the wave got. Australia was the first to fall in love with Xavier. Then it was Canada. Then it was Europe...the snowball kept rolling.
As his popularity grew worldwide, so too did Xavier's musical palette. Each new record, always accompanied by breathtaking singles, gave his fans everything they wanted and more. In return, ARIA nominations, chart placings and Gold and Platinum records honoured each release, spurring Xavier even further and producing a stellar discography: To Let (2002), Solace (2004), Food In The Belly (2005), White Moth (2007), Dark Shades Of Blue (2008), Koonyum Sun (2010), Spirit Bird (2012), and his first album with The United Nations, Nanna (2015).
This alone would be impressive enough, but in that time Xavier has also released eight live albums, recorded around the world in Canada, The Netherlands, Brussels, and different parts of Australia. Each live album is an essential snapshot of a moment in Xavier's career, documenting his path and commemorating the bond he shares with his fans.
But in spite of all his success, Xavier Rudd has never stopped working. He has continued to tour the world and make incredible records – showing absolutely no desire to rest on his achievements. He truly loves his fans and feels constantly blessed to be able to perform in countries all across our beautiful planet. He has inspired thousands of people and been the catalyst for others to find their own voice. He is helping his own country to reconcile its past, and he is beloved as both an icon and a human being.
There is no one else like Xavier Rudd.
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Adam Harvey
Get ready for a musical journey with the iconic Australian Country Music sensation, Adam Harvey. With a career spanning over two decades, Adam has become a legend of the country music scene, earning accolades and a dedicated fan base along the way.
It's been a patient three years since the release of his last solo project, but the wait is about to pay off in a spectacular fashion. In 2024, Adam is gearing up for a series of exciting announcements, beginning with two exclusive shows that new and old fans alike will enjoy.
Adam is thrilled to showcase the new songs he has been working on over the last few years following on from his 2021 Golden Guitar winning album 'Songs From Highway One'.
"It feels like I'm breaking new ground with these songs, and I can't wait to road test them live and share them with all of my country music friends." - Adam Harvey
Dive into the heart of Australian country music as Adam takes the stage, delivering not only his latest masterpieces for the very first time, but also a treasure trove of hits spanning his entire career. Be part of the excitement and secure your tickets now to be among the first to experience the magic of Adam Harvey's new music, hinting at what 2024 may bring for all Adam Harvey fans!
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The WhitlamsThe Whitlams are an Australian Indie rock band formed in late 1992. The original line-up was Tim Freedman on keyboards and lead vocals, Andy Lewis on double bass and Stevie Plunder on guitar and lead vocals. Other than mainstay Freedman, the line-up has changed numerous times. From 2001 to 2022, he was joined by Warwick Hornby on bass guitar, Jak Housden on guitar and Terepai Richmond on drums – forming the band's longest-lasting and best-known line-up. Four of their studio albums have reached the ARIA Albums Chart top 20: Eternal Nightcap, Love This City, Torch the Moon and Little Cloud. Their highest charting singles are "Blow Up the Pokies" and "Fall for You" – both reached number 21. The group's single, "No Aphrodisiac" was listed at number one on the Triple J Hottest 100, 1997 by listeners of national radio station, Triple J. In January 1996 Stevie Plunder was found dead at the base of Wentworth Falls. Andy Lewis died in February 2000.
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Mental As AnythingOfficial new page for the iconic band Mental As Anything. With more top 40 hits than any Aussie band and 50 years under their belt, Founding members Reg Mombassa and Peter O’Doherty are bringing together an incredible new band and tour in 2026. Stay tuned
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The Radiators
Iconic, Australian band, "The Radiators."
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Skinny Living
Indie Soul Music
Yorkshire & Northern Ireland
Order our Debut Album now via our website x
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19-Twentywww.19twentymusic.com
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Little QuirksHailing from the Central Coast of NSW, Australia, Little Quirks have been performing together all their lives. A dynamic stage show coupled with harmonies to die for make them one of the hottest live acts out there. Their 2024 Bluesfest set was rated as "near flawless" by Under the Radar magazine and their energy on stage is infectious as they leave nothing in the tank in their lives shows.
