Wanstock has announced its return for 2026, locking in March dates for Melbourne and Sydney and reaffirming its mission to celebrate the enduring legacy of Australian pub rock.
Launched in 2018 by founder Geoff Wansbrough, Wanstock was born from a lifelong love of the sweat-soaked venues and hard-touring ethos that defined Australian rock through the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. What began as a birthday show featuring Wansbrough’s favourite bands has since evolved into an inaugural event for Aussie pub rock fans, moving from Nunawading’s Burvale Hotel to its current home at Melbourne’s Shoppingtown Hotel in 2019.
Inspired by the communal spirit of Woodstock and the no-frills power of pub stages across the country, Wanstock has grown into a celebration of a uniquely Australian sound.
Australian pub rock emerged as a cultural force long before the era of stadium tours and streaming numbers. Bands like Cold Chisel, AC/DC, The Angels, and Midnight Oil built their reputations by playing hundreds of shows a year in suburban pubs and regional halls, where survival depended on volume, authenticity, and the ability to hold a room. Cold Chisel’s marathon tours and incendiary live shows became legend, while AC/DC’s early pub circuit runs laid the foundation for their eventual global dominance. It was a scene defined by grit, community, and a direct connection between band and audience.
Still continued today by bands like Amyl and the Sniffers alongside the ever-touring Jimmy Barnes Australian pub rock is still very much alive. That spirit remains at the heart of Wanstock, which will deliver its most ambitious lineup yet in 2026.
Headlining the festival are Canadian rock institution Loverboy, who will make their long-awaited Australian debut. The multiplatinum band has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide, earning four multi-platinum certifications.
“We are excited to be coming to Australia for the first time in the band’s history,” Loverboy said.
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Also joining the 2026 bill are Australian favourites 1927, whose 1988 debut album …ish became the highest-selling debut by an Australian artist at the time and produced six charting singles, and New Zealand legends Dragon, beloved across Australasia for enduring hits including “April Sun in Cuba” and “Are You Old Enough”.
Dragon said they were thrilled to return to the festival. “It’s always a pleasure to be part of Wanstock. The lineup is stacked with great Australian talent, and we’re excited to share the stage with Loverboy.”
For Wansbrough, Wanstock is about more than nostalgia. It’s about preserving the communal energy that once defined Australian live music, and other iconic festivals abroad such as Woodstock. “Wanstock gives people a chance to forget about everything else and reconnect with the music of their youth,” he said.
“For this next event, I am particularly proud to be bringing Loverboy to Australian shores for the first time. The line up for both nights is stacked with talent, including hall of famers 1927, Dragon and Pseudo Echo – it is bound to have you rocking out all night!”
In an era dominated by algorithm-driven discovery and arena-scale productions, Wanstock stands as a reminder of a time when Australian rock was built the hard way:one pub, one crowd, and one unforgettable night at a time.
Tickets information is available here.
Wanstock 2026
Friday, March 20th
Selina’s, Coogee, NSW
with LOVERBOY, CHOIRBOYS, TAXIRIDE, VENTURA
Friday, March 20th
Shoppington Hotel, Doncaster, VIC
with DRAGON, 1927, BACHELOR GIRL, STONETRIP, STRAIT SHOOTERS
Saturday, March 21st
Shoppington Hotel, Doncaster, VIC
with LOVERBOY, PSEUDO ECHO, TAXIRIDE, STANDING ROOM ONLY, DAYDREAMERS
