Wanstock 2026 Is Bringing The Golden Age Of Pub Rock Back

Alright, strap on the stone-wash denim and dust off the air-guitar – Wanstock is back in 2026, and it’s about to hit Aussie nostalgia levels that may require medical supervision.

The beloved throwback rock fest is returning next March with its biggest lineup ever, taking over Melbourne’s Shoppingtown Hotel in Doncaster for two massive nights on Friday March 20 and Saturday March 21, plus a Sydney edition at Selina’s on the same Friday. And here’s the holy-shit moment: Canadian Hall of Famers LOVERBOY are playing their first ever Australian shows. Ever. Yes, the band with the red leather pants, the bandanas, and the eternally punchable choruses are finally coming Down Under.

“It gives us all a chance to forget about our worries and enjoy some of that great music of our youth”

Melbourne punters will also be treated to an all-killer lineup including Dragon, 1927, Pseudo Echo, Bachelor Girl, Taxiride (featuring Jason Singh) and more, while Sydney cops LOVERBOY, Choirboys, Taxiride (featuring Jason Singh) and Ventura bringing the big pub-rock energy to the eastern beaches.

LOVERBOY will headline Saturday night in Melbourne, rolling in with a legacy that includes over 15 million albums sold, four multi-platinum records, and absolute bangers like Working For The Weekend. The band are already fizzing about the trip, saying: “We are excited to be coming to Australia for the first time in the band’s history next year. It is a dream come true… get your tickets now and we’ll see you down under!”

Friday night in Melbourne will be headlined by Aussie legends 1927, whose debut album …iSH was a quintuple-platinum monster. It became the highest-selling debut album by an Australian artist ever, camped in the ARIA Top 50 for 46 weeks and spawned six charting singles. Not bad for a band that formed in a suburban rehearsal room in ’87.

Returning fan favourites Dragon are also back on the Wanstock stage, bringing their timeless hits like April Sun in Cuba and Rain. “We are so excited to be part of Wanstock once again,” the band shared. “It’s always a pleasure to have a spot on such a great line-up with so much Australian talent, and the legendary LOVERBOY from Canada!”

Wanstock itself was born from organiser Geoff Wansbrough’s love of the golden Aussie pub-rock era – a time when every sticky-floored venue in the country was pumping out future legends. What started as a birthday party with a band or two has grown into a full-blown annual celebration of rock heritage, good times and no-frills live music.

“I really look forward to putting on Wanstock each year,” Wansbrough says. “It gives us all a chance to forget about our worries and enjoy some of that great music of our youth… I’m particularly proud to be bringing Loverboy to Australian shores for the first time.”

Wanstock 2026 tickets are on sale now and you can cop all the details down below.