The Wailers are taking on a unique three-night residency at Byron Bay Bluesfest 2026, with completely different live sets each night to celebrate a different chapter of their legacy.
The residency is part of their ’50 Years of Positive Vibrations’ tour – with shows also slated for Melbourne and Sydney – which celebrates the half-century anniversary of Rastaman Vibration, one of the most influential albums in reggae history, and the legacy of Bob Marley and the Wailers.
Bluesfest audiences will get a rare opportunity to experience the depth, power, and evolution of the Wailers’ iconic catalogue across the three nights, with the sets each celebrating a different iconic album – 1977’s Natural Mystic, 1984’s Legend, and of course, 1976’s Rastaman Vibration. Which set will be performed on each night will be announced closer to the festival.
Peter Noble, Festival Director of Bluesfest and Australian presenter for the Wailers for almost four decades, said when Bob Marley knew his time was coming to an end, he asked for one thing – that his music be played live for as long as possible. It’s a responsibility that has been carried by band members since, first by Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett until his passing in 2024, and now by Aston Barrett Jr., now the band leader.
“This is not a cheap facsimile of Bob Marley’s music. This is genuine, heartfelt and real. It is Bob Marley’s music played properly, taught by members of the Wailers themselves and passed on to a new generation who deeply care about both the music and its message,” he said.
“This tour carries the spirit, power and purpose of Bob Marley into the future. It honours the past while keeping the message alive – and it is absolutely not to be missed.”
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Alongside honouring the past, the Wailers remain creatively vital in the present. Their recent albums One World and Evolution – both Grammy nominated – reaffirm the band’s ongoing relevance and artistic power.
Evolution, produced by Grammy Award-winner Emilio Estefan Jr. on Crescent Moon Records, blends classic roots reggae with contemporary global influences, with songs like “Love Should Be Free” resonating worldwide for their positive and socially conscious message.
The Wailers will also play headline shows in Melbourne and Sydney ahead of Bluesfest, on April 1st and April 2nd at 170 Russell and the Metro Theatre, respectively.
Tickets to the ’50 Years of Positive Vibrations’ tour will go on sale at 11am (AEDT) on Thursday, January 22nd. A presale will run from 11am (AEDT) on Tuesday, January 20th – sign up here.
THE WAILERS ’50 YEARS OF POSITIVE VIBRATIONS’ AUSTRALIA TOUR 2026
Wednesday, April 1st
170 Russell, Melbourne VIC
Thursday, April 2nd
Metro Theatre, Sydney NSW
Friday, April 3rd
Bluesfest, Byron Bay NSW
Saturday, April 4th
Bluesfest, Byron Bay NSW
Sunday, April 5th
Bluesfest, Byron Bay NSW
