Music festival cancelled for second year after record rainfall
Outback Queensland music festival Birdsville Big Red Bash has been canceled in another blow to the music industry after the region was hit by heavy rains.
The shock came after the three-day music festival was canceled in July after organizers said it was 90 percent sold out. The collapse of Byron Bay Bluesfest.
this will happen second year in a row The Big Red Bash did not happen after the event in 2025 was paused for a “gap year.”
“After careful consideration of available options, we have determined that relocating the Birdsville Big Red Bash is not feasible for 2026,” founder Greg Donovan said in a statement.
“The decision to cancel this year’s event, although difficult, is based on what we believe is in the best interest of the event and patrons.”
Birdsville received a year’s worth of rain from tropical lowlands over Western Queensland and the Northern Territory in February. Transportation to the district was cut off.
Although the greenery from the rain will be “stunning,” the water won’t dry out until July, Donovan said. He said festival bosses were involved in the decision to cancel and a survey was carried out about alternative venues.
“Mother Nature is the highest authority. This year she spoke and we heard the message,” he said.
The annual festival is held on the Big Red dune on a cattle station 35 kilometers west of Birdsville and was first staged in 2013.
Approximately 10,000 participants camped on the edge of the Simpson Desert for the event, generating approximately $20 million for the outback economy.
Artists for this year’s festival will include Missy Higgins, Hoodoo Gurus, Teskey Brothers, Living End, Birds of Tokyo, Jessica Mauboy, Shannon Noll, Kate Ceberano, Whitlams and Tim Finn.
Organizers said they were committed to holding most of the shows next year.
Oztix general manager Stuart Field said they would work to process customer refunds and help bring the Birdsville Big Bash back in 2027.
“Our thoughts are with local businesses, suppliers and communities affected by the weather events,” he said.
Ticket holders will be able to receive a refund or transfer their tickets to the 2027 festival or the 2026 Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash in August.
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Nick Dent is a Culture Reporter for the Brisbane Times covering the arts and things to do in the city.Connect via email.
