Aussie festival favourite Red Hot Summer Tour has announced its line-up for 2026, with a duo of classic pub rock bands in Australian Crawl and Men At Work set to headline.
Joining the 70s and 80s powerhouses will be Boom Crash Opera, along with a 21st century line-up featuring Birds of Tokyo, Vika & Linda, Eskimo Joe, and Ella Hooper.
A fixture of the warmer months, this year’s touring festival will launch in Queensland’s Coolangatta Beach on November 1st, and stop at its traditional Sandalford Wines Swan Valley residence on Saturday, November 14.
Making history in 2026, the event will unite original Australian Crawl members James Reyne, Simon Binks and David Reyne who will share the stage for the first time in 40 years.
They will be joined by John Watson (1983-86 member), Brett Kingman, Josh Owen, Andrew McIvor, Sean Johnson, Melinda Jackson, and Nicole Kurta.
Penning such hits as Reckless, and The Boys Light Up, Australian Crawl became the voice of a generation in less than a decade, with a career spanning 1978 to 1986.
“I’m looking forward to this upcoming celebration of Australian Crawl. Who would have thought that this far down the track three original members would be sharing the same stage once again,” Simon Binks said.
Reminiscing on the good times, Reyne expressed his eagerness to perform alongside old mates.
“What a delight it will be to do it all again with those of us from the original gang who haven’t yet propped permanently at Heaven’s Bar,” he said.
Men At Work — who left an equal mark on Australian culture — are just as keen to bring their nostalgic tunes to the stage for long-time fans.
Forming in Melbourne in 1979, the group achieved Grammy-winning success, and left the nation with classics Down Under and Who Can It Be Now before disbanding in 1985.
Member Colin Hay said he felt it was important not embrace the past and not fight against it.
“The first two Men At Work records went crazy,” he said.
“And when you have success like that, the dust never really settles. I learned only through time and experience, not to compete with my past, but embrace it, and let it live with me…. not in the main house of course, but in the casita down the back yard.”
Local fans will welcome renowned homegrown act Birds of Tokyo, and enduring rockers Eskimo Joe.
Last year’s line-up featured headliners ICEHOUSE to start the year, with Crowded House taking top billing in the back end of 2025.
While in early 2026, Paul Kelly led the likes of Missy Higgins and The Cat Empire in January.
General ticket sales for November’s tour shows will become available on June 25.
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