Grammy Award-winning artist Ruthie Foster is set to return to Australia with a packed touring schedule and a fresh wave of creative momentum, telling Australian Musician that the past year has been defined by “a lot of great tours” and the creation of a new album, Just Say Yes, due for release in late August 2026. Her national run will offer Australian audiences a rare chance to experience the full breadth of her artistry, from the intimate, soulful chemistry of her long-running duo collaboration with pianist Scottie Miller to the electrifying, high-energy shows featuring her full band.
Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips caught up with Ruthie Foster over a zoom call ahead of her April-May Australian tour
MORE ABOUT THE INTERVIEW
Foster admits her upcoming Australian run will begin immediately after a stretch of U.S. dates, leaving little downtime, but she’s embracing the pace. The album’s title reflects that mindset, born from a simple reminder in her studio to “just say yes” to opportunities, a philosophy that has shaped both her recent touring commitments and the direction of the new record. Written with collaborators including Tyler Bryant and Rebecca Lovell of Larkin Poe, the material draws heavily on Foster’s life on the road, personal reflections and lessons in balance.
Australian audiences will get an early taste of that new material, with Foster planning to introduce a handful of unreleased songs into her set. The tour itself will shift between intimate duo performances with keyboardist Scotty Miller and full-band shows later in the run. She explains that the stripped-back format allows for deeper storytelling and connection, while the band shows bring a bigger, more dynamic energy.
A longtime visitor to Australia, Foster says she feels a strong personal connection to the country, describing it as a place of exploration where she continues to discover new favourite spots on every trip. She’s also looking forward to sharing stages with fellow blues artist Eric Bibb in Western Australia, whom she calls her “spirit brother,” hinting at possible spontaneous collaborations.
Festival appearances are another highlight, including a first-time performance at Blues on Broadbeach, where Foster is eager to not only perform but also experience the event as a fan. She reflects warmly on past Australian festival memories, while also acknowledging the loss of Byron Bay Bluesfest as a significant moment for the local scene.
Since winning her first Grammy for Mileage, Foster says the recognition has served as motivation rather than validation, pushing her to keep writing and creating. Songwriting remains central to her identity, with new material always in progress-including work for other artists like Detroit blues singer Thornetta Davis. She also embraces the evolving nature of songs, noting how they often transform over time through performance.
Looking ahead, Foster’s schedule remains full, with appearances planned at the Catskills Crossroads Blues Camp alongside artists like Charlie Musselwhite, as well as festival dates and cruises in the U.S. But for now, her focus is firmly on reconnecting with Australian audiences, encouraging fans, in the spirit of her new album, to “just say yes” and come along for the ride.
LINKS:
Website – ruthiefostermusic.com
Facebook – facebook.com/ruthiefostermusic
Instagram – instagram.com/ruthiefostermusic
YouTube – youtube.com/user/ruthiefoster
X – x.com/_ruthiefoster_
TikTok – tiktok.com/ruthiefostermusic
Threads – threads.net/ruthiefostermusic
Spotify – open.spotify.com/artist/2lL4ckeM1A2Qo2Fe64dP0F
Apple Music – music.apple.com/us/artist/ruthie-foster/63828964
LISTINGS INFO & TICKET LINKS
Thursday, April 23 – Albany, Western Australia
Eric Bibb & Band + Ruthie Foster (double-headline)
Princess Royal Theatre, Albany Entertainment Centre, 2 Toll Place Albany
7.30pm
Tickets
artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au
Friday, April 24 – Bunbury, Western Australia
Eric Bibb & Band + Ruthie Foster (double-headline)
Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, 2 Clair St, Bunbury
7.30pm
Tickets
bunburyentertainment.com
Sunday, April 24
Ruthie Foster – Perth, Western Australia
Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre, 48 Canning Rd, Kalamunda
7.30pm
Tickets
kalamundapac.com.au
Tuesday, April 28
Ruthie Foster – Launceston, Tasmania
The Ark (on The Square), 11 Frederick St, Launceston
7.30pm
Tickets
ioperformanceco.com
Thursday, April 30
Ruthie Foster – Sisters Beach, Tasmania
Little Sisters General Store, 1/3 Honeysuckle Ave, Sisters Beach
7.30pm
Tickets
little-sisters.com.au
Friday, May 1
Ruthie Foster – Melbourne, Victoria
Burrinja Cultural Centre, 351 Glenfern Rd, Upwey
7.30pm
On sale Nov 26
burrinja.org.au
Saturday, May 2
Ruthie Foster – Geelong, Victoria
Geelong Arts Centre, 50 Lt. Malop St, Geelong
7.30pm
On sale Nov 27
geelongartscentre.org.au
Sunday, May 3
Ruthie Foster – Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
Flinders Civic Hall, 56 Cook St, Flinders
4.00pm
Tickets via TryBooking
Tuesday, May 5
Ruthie Foster – Adelaide, South Australia
The Gov, 59 Port Rd, Hindmarsh
7.30pm
Tickets
thegov.com.au
Friday, May 8
Ruthie Foster & Band – Melbourne, Victoria
Brunswick Ballroom, 314 Sydney Rd, Brunswick
7.30pm
Tickets exclusively via Moshtix | brunswickballroom.com.au
Saturday, May 9
Ruthie Foster & Band (Two shows) – Melbourne, Victoria
Memo Music Hall, 88 Acland St, St Kilda
4.00pm & 8pm
Tickets | memomusichall.com.au
Sunday, May 10
Ruthie Foster & Band – Gippsland, Victoria
Meeniyan Town Hall, 97 Whitelaw St, Meeniyan
6pm
Tickets via Oztix | lyrebirdartscouncil.com.au
May 14, 15 & 16
Ruthie Foster & Band – Gold Coast, Queensland
Blues On Broadbeach
bluesonbroadbeach.com
Sunday, May 17
Ruthie Foster & Band – Central Coast, New South Wales
Avoca Beach Theatre, 69 Avoca Drive, Avoca Beach
7.30pm
Tickets via Humanitix | avocabeachtheatre.com.au