Back by popular demand following a sold-out tour in 2025 – Grammy-winning blues guitar sensation Christone “Kingfish” Ingram returns to Australia and New Zealand in 2026 for the Hard Road Tour, bringing his explosive live show to stages across the country.
The Hard Road 2026 Tour celebrates the release of his new album Hard Road, a record that reimagines the blues for a new generation by fusing it with rock, funk, R&B, and soul. Produced by longtime collaborator Tom Hambridge alongside Patrick “Guitar Boy” Hayes and Nick Goldston, the album represents Kingfish’s most ambitious and personal work to date—and the first release on his own label, Red Zero Records.
Blues powerhouse Ash Grunwald will bring his trademark energy and raw storytelling across the full run of Australian shows, joined by festival favourites 19-Twenty in Melbourne and Sydney for two very special high-octane performances. Together, they round out a fantastic lineup of blues and roots.
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram is set to return to Australia in early 2026 for his biggest headline run in the region to date, with six shows across Australia and an additional date in New Zealand as part of his Hard Road tour. Notably, the tour marks the first time Kingfish has visited Australia without appearing at Bluesfest, instead stepping out on his own, a move he says he’s genuinely excited about. Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips caught up with ‘Kingfish’ over a quick zoom chat to talk about the upcoming Australian tour.
MORE ABOUT THE INTERVIEW
Fresh from the Legendary Blues Cruise in the USA, where he shared the stage with artists including Kenny Wayne Shepherd and blues icon Taj Mahal, Kingfish is arriving in strong form. While recent setlists have featured a select handful of tracks from his latest album Hard Road, including “She’s So Sexy,” “Nothing But Your Love,” “Bad Like Me,” and “Voodoo Charm” – he confirms Australian audiences can expect a deeper dive into the record as the tour approaches.
Recorded over roughly three years between Nashville and Los Angeles, Hard Road represents a conscious evolution for Kingfish. Working with three different producers, he set out to spotlight his voice as much as his guitar, incorporating stronger R&B and soul influences while still remaining rooted in the blues. That balance is underscored by the album’s closing track, “Memphis,” a stripped-back, acoustic blues piece that nods to the tradition of Son House and Robert Johnson. For Kingfish, ending the album this way was about reaffirming that the blues remains central to who he is and where he comes from.
Hard Road also marks his first release on his own imprint, Red Zero Records. Beyond retaining control of his masters, Kingfish says the label was created to help provide opportunities for other blues artists who may not otherwise get a fair shot in the industry.
On the road, fans can expect the familiar, tight-knit band he’s been touring with for some time, along with a streamlined guitar setup, usually no more than three instruments. Despite the release of a new Fender Delta Day Telecaster signature model in Daphne Blue, Kingfish explains that sticking with the same guitars helps solidify his sound and musical identity.
The conversation also touched on the importance of mentors, with Kingfish paying tribute to Buddy Guy following the blues icon’s latest Grammy win, as well as his recent involvement in the film Sinners. He describes the project as a positive moment for blues music, bringing much-needed mainstream exposure to the genre.
As the Hard Road tour approaches, Kingfish promises Australian audiences expanded arrangements, more new material, and the powerful blend of tradition and modern soul that continues to define his rapid artistic growth, with the added hope that this time, he might finally spot a kangaroo in the wild.
CHRISTONE ‘KINGFISH’ INGRAM + Special Guests Ash Grunwald ★ 19-Twenty ●
Wednesday 25 February: The Triffid, Brisbane ★
Thursday 26 February: The Green Room, Byron Bay ★
Saturday 28 February: Harmonie German Club, Canberra ★
Sunday 1 March: The Forum, Melbourne ★●
Wednesday 4 March: Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide ★
Friday 6 March: Enmore Theatre, Sydney ★●
Sunday 8 March: Powerstation, Auckland
https://www.bluesfesttours.com.au/all-tours/christone-‘kingfish’-ingram
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