Bluesfest Tours is proud to announce the long-awaited return of one of the most influential and best-selling groups of all time, Earth, Wind & Fire, who will be performing in Australia for the first time since 2012. After 14 years, they are finally coming home to our stage. The legendary architects of soul, funk and R&B will take the spotlight at Byron Bay Bluesfest with a special Easter Friday performance, followed by two spectacular sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne.
Formed in 1969 by the visionary Maurice White, Earth, Wind & Fire revolutionised the sound of popular music with their radiant fusion of soul, funk, R&B, jazz and disco. Over their extraordinary career, the band have sold more than 100 million albums, achieved eight Number One hits, released 23 studio albums (including eight Double Platinum), and earned nine GRAMMY® Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Earth, Wind & Fire’s musical legacy is defined by an extraordinary catalogue of iconic songs and award-winning achievements that have shaped generations. Their timeless hits include the Grammy-winning “Shining Star” to the universal joy of “September”, the electrifying groove of “Let’s Groove”, and the soulful depth of “That’s the Way of the World”, their music remains a cornerstone of global culture.
In April 2026, Australian audiences will once again experience the uplifting power of Earth, Wind, and Fire’s timeless music, one of the greatest bands to ever take the stage.
Earth, Wind & Fire are gearing up for a long-awaited return to Australia this April, and speaking with Greg Phillips from Australian Musician magazine, Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson made it clear just how special the trip will be for the band. It’s been more than a decade since they last toured here, and the excitement is palpable as they prepare to play Bluesfest in Byron Bay on April 3, followed by shows in Sydney on April 5 and
Melbourne on April 8.
The band are particularly looking forward to reconnecting with Australian audiences and soaking up the atmosphere, with Byron Bay singled out as a highlight. Adding a personal touch to the tour is Earth, Wind & Fire’s current guitarist Serge Dimitrijevic, who is Australian and will be playing his first shows back home since joining the band, something the group say has added extra meaning to the visit.
Reflecting on their timeless catalogue, the members discussed the enduring power of songs like September, Boogie Wonderland and Let’s Groove, tracks that still ignite dance floors around the world. Philip Bailey recalled instantly recognising the magic of September from the very first bars, sensing it would become one of the band’s biggest songs. While many of Earth, Wind & Fire’s recordings sound meticulously crafted, the group explained that much of the music was born from feel and collaboration, with rhythm parts and arrangements evolving organically as the band locked in together.
They also spoke warmly about the creative freedom they enjoyed under the guidance of founder Maurice White and producer Charles Stepney, describing the era as a musical “heaven” filled with experimentation, shared ideas and an abundance of recorded material. That spirit continues to inform their live performances today.
When Australian fans see Earth, Wind & Fire in 2026, they can expect the songs they know and love, played true to the original recordings. While the band occasionally enhances arrangements, Bailey and Johnson emphasised that audiences want to hear the iconic parts exactly as they remember them and that’s what the band now delivers. The current lineup features a classic 11-member configuration, complete with horns, additional vocalists, and the three longtime members at the core.
Influences ranging from James Brown and Sly & The Family Stone to Motown legends shaped the band’s sound, and the members spoke with pride about the respect they’ve received from icons like Miles Davis and Quincy Jones. Ultimately, though, the focus of the upcoming Australian tour is simple: to give audiences a joyful, uplifting experience. As Verdine White put it, Earth, Wind & Fire hope to make the world a better place for 90 minutes, leaving fans with great memories, a sense of fun, and a very good feeling as they head home.
EARTH WIND & FIRE AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2026
• Friday, 3 April: Byron Bay Bluesfest (Byron Bay)
• Sunday, 5 April: ICC Sydney (TikTok Entertainment Centre) (Sydney)
• Wednesday, 8 April: Plenary, MCEC (Melbourne)