Laneway Festival 2026 Line-up Predictions
Who could play, who's definitely out, and who we're hoping to see at the 2026 edition of Laneway Festival.
Chappell Roan, Genesis Owusu, Wolf Alice, Role Model (Credit: Ryan Clemens, Bec Parsons, Rachel Fleminger Hudson, Jess Gleeson)
It’s September, and we’re waiting for the 2026 Laneway Festival line-up to drop.
While no dates for next year’s event have been confirmed, we’re expecting the travelling festival to take place around the time the 2025 festival took place – early to mid-February. And, like previous years, we expect it to stop in Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth.
No hints have dropped surrounding the 2026 event, but as the 2024 event featured hip-hop and alternative R&B acts such as Stormzy, Steve Lacy and Dominic Fike, and last year’s event focused more on EDM and indie pop, we reckon Laneway 2026 might do something a little bit different.
Last year’s Laneway Festival was headlined by Charli XCX and starred indie-pop artists such as beabadoobee, Clairo, and Remi Wolf.
Below, The Music has amassed a couple of lists. Of course, we don’t know who’s playing at Laneway 2026. We’ve based our speculation not only on acts releasing new music in 2025, but also on tour schedules.
First, a wishlist – artists who are just too big but would be amazing to have them perform at Laneway – then, the maybe/hopefully category, which features acts with free time in their schedules and would fit in with the Laneway vibe, and lastly, the not happening section, with acts who have recently toured Australia and featured on Laneway bills in the last two years.
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So, without further ado, here are The Music’s Laneway Festival 2026 Line-up Predictions.
The Music’s Laneway Festival 2026 Line-up Predictions
WISHLIST
Sabrina Carpenter
We won’t lie, we’d love to see Sabrina Carpenter as a potential Laneway Festival headliner. At the time of publication, she has a significant gap in her tour dates – November 2025 to March 2026 – so it could happen.
Plus, she’s previously promised to return to Australia “soon” – that was after she opened for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour last February, and since then, Carpenter has released two massive albums. As she’s one of the biggest names in music, we think a headline tour is more likely than a festival headliner.
Tame Impala
It’s been a while since Tame Impala toured at home – since October 2022. With a new album on the way, being Laneway alum (2017), and no tour dates booked after mid-November, if Laneway Festival organisers have secured the Kevin Parker-led project, we’re going to have some very happy punters.
Chappell Roan
Like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan is one of the biggest names in music. The American singer-songwriter played some shows in Australia pre-Good Luck, Babe! fame, and last year, she hinted at an impending return. She hasn’t since played Down Under, but was heavily rumoured to headline this year’s festival. Could 2026 be the year she makes a triumphant return to Australia?
MAYBE/HOPEFULLY
Flume and Emma Louise
Two Australian stars who’d be very welcome at Laneway, following the success of acts like Fred again.., Charli XCX and BICEP. Flume last performed at the festival in 2016, but with the new album DUMB, released with Emma Louise in August, a mega homecoming would be a delight. At the time of publication, Flume has no tour dates booked for 2026.
Ruel
Ruel is playing a one-off show at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt in December, but surely he has some more dates for his devoted homegrown fans up his sleeve. The singer is also performing at Harvest Rock festival in October, to coincide with the release of his upcoming album, Kicking My Feet. New songs on the Laneway stage? Why not?
Mitski
Since performing at the 2019 Laneway Festival, American singer-songwriter Mitski has experienced a taste of viral fame with her 2023 album, The Land Is Inhospitable And So Are We. A remarkable performer and storyteller, Mitski is due for a return to Australia, and at the time of publication, has no tour dates locked in for 2026.
Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers
Canberra-based rockers Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers have never performed at Laneway Festival, but with their addictive choruses, a new album GLORY coming in November, and no upcoming tour dates, the hype surrounding the band makes them a must-see in 2026.
The 1975
The British rockers co-headlined the 2020 Laneway Festival and toured Australia in April 2023. This year, they’ve played one show – well, more than a show – when they headlined Glastonbury Festival. They have no tour dates booked and would be more than welcome to return to Laneway.
Wolf Alice
Wolf Alice just released their new album, The Clearing, and currently have no Australian tour dates on their itinerary. They’re also Laneway alums, having performed at the festival in 2018. Touring in the US from September and the UK and Europe later this year, concluding in December, we can see Wolf Alice keeping up the momentum and heading to Australia in early 2026.
Lucy Dacus
Last in Australia in June 2022, Lucy Dacus is very missed by her devoted fans—especially after her boygenius bandmate Phoebe Bridgers drew such a massive reception at the 2023 Laneway Festival. With no tour dates after November, why not a visit Down Under in early 2026?
Genesis Owusu
Rapper and singer Genesis Owusu is preparing to launch a new album, with the track PIRATE RADIO premiering on triple j tomorrow morning. He has a bunch of tour dates booked in Melbourne and Sydney this month, plus an appearance at Adelaide’s Harvest Rock festival next month, but why not kick off 2026 with Laneway?
Role Model
After making his Australian debut in February, American artist Role Model’s profile has only grown. His current tour dates end in early January, with the last couple opening for Noah Kahan and Mumford & Sons in Mexico. Might as well keep the good vibes going in Australia in summer, right?
Wet Leg
Wet Leg made their Australian debut in July 2022, performing at Splendour In The Grass and some sideshows. A year later, they opened for Harry Styles in stadiums across the country. With a great new album, moisturizer, out now, and no tour dates past New Year’s Eve, we think Wet Leg might be keen to lock in their long-awaited return to Australia.
Stella Donnelly
Like Genesis Owusu, Stella Donnelly is announcing a new album this week. She released two new songs, Baths and Standing Ovation, in August, and currently has no tour dates booked. Hopefully, she’s been booked for Laneway 2026.
Lola Young
British singer Lola Young made her Australian debut during the New Year’s festival season of 2024/25, performing at Lost Paradise, Wildlands, and Beyond The Valley.
She’s since become one of the most in-demand artists in pop, and with her new album, I’m Only F**king Myself, due for release in September, some Australian dates might just be on the way. At the time of publication, she has a gap in her tour schedule between early December and mid-March, when she performs at Lollapalooza Argentina.
Kevin Abstract
American rapper Kevin Abstract has never performed for fans in Australia. The BROCKHAMPTON star’s new album, Blush, dropped in June, keeping up the momentum of previous releases. Right now, his tour dates end at Tyler, The Creator’s festival Camp Flog Gnaw in November.
NOT HAPPENING
Olivia Dean
British singer Olivia Dean just announced a string of headline dates along the East Coast for October 2026. With those arena dates booked, we highly doubt other Australian appearances are on the radar.
The Last Dinner Party
Also touring Australia in 2026—but locked in from 10 January to 22 January 2026, ruling them out of also appearing at Laneway.
Ninajirachi
While it would have been wonderful to see Ninajirachi perform tracks from her excellent new album, I Love My Computer, on the festival stage, Laneway organisers don’t typically book the same acts two years in a row. Plus, the Aussie DJ will be touring in the US in January and February 2026.
Dominic Fike
One of Laneway’s 2024 headliners, Dominic Fike, is an unlikely pick for the 2026 festival. Plus, the American musician is already heading to Australia in December to perform at this year’s Spilt Milk festival.
Gracie Abrams
The American hitmaker would admittedly pull some massive crowds at Laneway, but Gracie Abrams already hit our shores in May, when she performed in arenas across the country.
Turnstile
Groundbreaking hardcore band Turnstile performed at Laneway Festival in 2023 and will visit Australia and New Zealand for New Year’s festivals, Beyond The Valley and Rhythms & Vines. While they could announce more dates to go along with those appearances, they won’t be close enough to Laneway time.
The Laneway Festival 2026 line-up will be announced soon. Tune in to The Music for updates as they arrive and keep an eye on the festival’s website and socials for more info.
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