Earth, Wind & Fire will return to Australia for the first time since 2012 in April, headlining Bluesfest with a special Easter Friday performance in Byron Bay, alongside sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne.
When the Chicago-based group was formed in 1969 by Maurice White, Earth, Wind & Fire redefined the possibilities of a mainstream band, blending soul, funk, jazz, R&B, and African-influenced rhythms into a fresh sound that was both sophisticated and massively accessible.
They arrived at a time when modern pop music was beginning to break off into smaller scenes and subgenres while building a catalogue which blended cultural and commercial boundaries without compromise.
Across a staggering 23 studio albums, Earth, Wind & Fire have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, with eight at double-platinum status. With nine Grammy Awards, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2000, and Kennedy Center Honors in 2019 reflect not just longevity, but a sustained creative peak that few groups have matched since.
Earth, Wind & Fire’s influence is most clearly felt through a run of songs that continue to dominate radio and parties to this day, decades later. Few bands have produced songs that feel as permanently embedded in popular culture.
“September” continues to cross generations with ease, while “Shining Star” and “That’s the Way of the World” remain influential reference points for funk and soul musicians. Unconfined to a single era, Earth, Wind & Fire moved with the times, landing major hits like “Boogie Wonderland” and “Let’s Groove” well into the next decade.
On stage, their live reputation has always matched their prolific studio output. Their concerts emphasise musicianship over nostalgia, with tightly arranged performances that are rooted in groove and harmony. Even decades on from the bands prime, they retain a sense of uplift and intention that reflects Maurice White’s original vision of music as a unifying force—something noticeably lacking in todays modern music climate.
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Today, Earth, Wind & Fire occupy a rare position: a legacy act whose music continues to function in real time. Their music remains a staple across streaming platforms, movie soundtracks, weddings, clubs, and sample-heavy hip-hop and R&B records, not as retro artefacts but as living reference points.
Few acts from their era maintain that level of everyday relevance without an over-reliance on revival cycles or internet trends. In an era increasingly defined by digital production and fragmented listening, Earth, Wind & Fire’s catalogue stands as a reminder of the power of collectiveness and strict arrangement.
Their Australian return is less a revival than a continuation. It’s a chance for Australian fans to experience a group whose catalogue has never left the cultural conversation, and whose influence remains deeply embedded in modern pop, R&B, and hip-hop.
For complete tour and ticket information, see here.
Earth, Wind & Fire 2026 Australia Tour
Friday, April 3rd
Byron Bay Bluesfest, NSW
Sunday, April 5th
ICC Sydney – TikTok Entertainment Centre, Sydney, NSW
Wednesday, April 8th
Plenary Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
