Dust off your camping chair, slap on the sunscreen, and prepare your vocal cords for a full day of singing along — the Red Hot Summer Tour is back, and this year's lineup is nothing short of spectacular.
Dust off your camping chair, slap on the sunscreen, and prepare your vocal cords for a full day of singing along — the Red Hot Summer Tour is back, and this year's lineup is nothing short of spectacular.
Look, we don't use the word "legendary" lightly around here at musick.com.au. We save it for the artists who've genuinely shaped the soundtrack of Australian life.
Artists whose songs have been blasted at backyard barbies, sobbed to during breakups, and belted out at karaoke nights from Cairns to Cottesloe.
And mate, this lineup? It's stacked with legends.
The Headline Act: Paul Kelly
Where do you even begin with Paul Kelly?
The man has been writing the story of Australia for over four decades. From the aching beauty of To Her Door to the summer anthem status of How to Make Gravy (yes, we all know what day it is on December 21st), Paul Kelly's music isn't just in our playlists — it's in our DNA. He's not just a musician; he's a poet, a storyteller, and quite possibly the closest thing we have to a national treasure with a guitar. Seeing him perform under open skies at a Red Hot Summer show?
That's the kind of experience you'll be telling your grandkids about.
The Supporting Cast (Except "Supporting" Feels Like an Insult) Let's be crystal clear: every single artist on this bill could headline their own tour. The fact they're all sharing the same stage on the same day is genuinely ridiculous in the best possible way. Missy Higgins
From the moment Scar hit the airwaves back in 2004, Missy Higgins has been a cornerstone of Australian music. Her voice — raw, emotive, and utterly captivating — has a way of making you feel every single word. Whether she's breaking your heart or putting it back together again, there's nobody quite like her. The Cruel Sea
If you've never heard Better Get a Lawyer live, you haven't truly lived. The Cruel Sea bring a swagger, a grit, and a bluesy rock edge that hits different when you're standing in a field with a cold drink in hand and the sun on your face. These guys are the real deal. The Cat Empire
Hang on — did someone order a party? Because The Cat Empire are here to deliver. Their genre-defying blend of jazz, ska, funk, and Latin grooves has been getting crowds moving for over two decades. If your feet aren't dancing by the third song, you might want to check for a pulse. Kasey Chambers
Country music royalty. Fourteen ARIA Awards. Twenty-four Golden Guitars. The youngest woman ever inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. Kasey Chambers is an absolute powerhouse, and her live performances are the kind of raw, honest, goosebump-inducing experiences that remind you why live music matters. Jess Hitchcock
Opening the show and setting the tone for the day is the incredible Jess Hitchcock. Her soulful voice and commanding stage presence have been earning her fans across the country, and she's exactly the kind of artist you'll want to arrive early to see. Don't be fashionably late to this one — you'll regret it.
SA Music Lovers: Victor Harbor Is Your Spot 🏖️
Now, for those of us here in South Australia (and yes, we're a bit biased at musick.com.au, being based right here on the Fleurieu Peninsula), there's only one date that matters:
📍 Saturday, 21st March 2026 — Kent Reserve, Victor Harbor
Honestly? This is about as good as it gets. Kent Reserve is a stunning outdoor venue right on the water in Victor Harbor. Picture this: legendary Australian music, coastal breezes, and that golden Fleurieu light as the sun starts to dip. It's the kind of setting that makes live music feel almost spiritual. Here's what you need to know:
21st March 2026
Venue: Kent Reserve, Victor Harbor
Gates Open1:00 PM Approximate End9:30 PM
TicketsOn sale NOW via Ticketmaster Set Times (approximate):
1:40 PM — Jess Hitchcock 2:30 PM — Kasey Chambers 3:50 PM — The Cat Empire 5:10 PM — The Cruel Sea 6:30 PM — Missy Higgins 8:00 PM — Paul Kelly
That's over eight hours of live music from some of the best artists this country has ever produced. Eight. Hours.
Practical Stuff (Because We Care About You Getting Home Safe)
The Victor Harbor show is an outdoor event, so here's the lowdown on logistics: 🪑 Bring a Camp Chair
This is a BYO chair situation. Folding chairs are your friend. Note: picnic rugs are NOT permitted — so leave the blanket at home.
🚗 Parking & Transport
Parking around Kent Reserve is limited (it's a waterside venue, after all). Your best bet:
Park at the Victor Harbor Recreation Centre and catch the shuttle bus to the venue Link SA Buses are running pre-booked services — drop-off and pick-up near the gate on Franklin Parade There's a designated drop-off/pick-up point on Franklin Parade if someone's doing the driving duties A temporary taxi rank will be set up near the corner of The Esplanade and Inman Street
♿ Accessibility
Disabled parking will be available near the event entrance. Follow signage on arrival and chat to the traffic marshals who'll point you in the right direction.
🏖️ Beach Closures
Some beach areas will be closed for safety and environmental protection during the event. Respect the signs, protect the dunes.
🍔 Food & Drinks
There'll be a solid range of food vendors and a public bar serving beer, wine, cider, spirits, and non-alcoholic options. Cash and card accepted. And yes, there's a merch truck if you want to grab some official Red Hot Summer Tour gear.
All 2026 Tour Dates
Not in SA? No dramas — this tour is hitting venues right across the country. Here's the full rundown:
- Sat 10 Jan Mackay ParkBatemans Bay, NSW
- Sat 17 JanWarrnambool RacecourseWarrnambool,VIC
- Sat 24 JanSpeers Point ParkLake Macquarie,NSW
- Sat 31 JanWestport ParkPort Macquarie, NSW
- Sun 1 FebBroadwater ParklandsSouthport, QLD
- Sun 8 FebWerribee ParkWerribee, VIC
- Sat 14 FebBerry ShowgroundBerry,NSW
- Sun 15 FebBella Vista FarmBella Vista, NSW
- Sat 28 FebGateway LakesWodonga, VIC
- Sun 8 MarLaunceston Country ClubLaunceston, TA
- Sat 14 MarBendigo RacecourseBendigo, VIC
- Sat 21 MarKent ReserveVictor Harbor, SA 🌟
- Sat 11 AprMornington RacecourseMornington, VIC
- Sat 18 AprSeafront OvalHervey Bay, QLD
- Sat 9 MayWhitfords Nodes ParkHillarys, WA
- Sat 23 MaySandstone Point HotelSandstone Point, QLD
Get Your Tickets Before They're Gone
Look, we're not going to tell you how to live your life. But we are going to strongly suggest that you don't sleep on this one. The Red Hot Summer Tour has a habit of selling out, and with a lineup this stacked, tickets aren't going to hang around forever. This is the kind of gig where you'll run into people you haven't seen in years, make new friends in the beer line, and walk away with that post-live-music glow that lasts for days.
🎟️ Tickets are on sale NOW through Ticketmaster:
Buy Red Hot Summer Tour 2026 Tickets
📧 Sign up for updates and future presale access: https://www.redhotsummertour.com.au/subscribe
There's something special about an outdoor gig in Australia. The way the music bounces off the open sky. The collective singalong from thousands of voices.
The moment when the sun sets and the stage lights take over. The Red Hot Summer Tour understands this. They've been doing it for years, bringing world-class Australian artists to beautiful regional and coastal venues — proving that you don't have to be in Sydney or Melbourne to experience incredible live music. And this year, with Paul Kelly leading the charge and an absolute murderer's row of talent backing him up, the 2026 edition might just be the best one yet.
So grab your mates. Grab your tickets. Grab your camping chair. We'll see you at Kent Reserve. 🤘
Got a gig, festival, or music event you want featured on musick.com.au? Drop us a line — we're always keen to spread the word about great Australian music.
Tags: #RedHotSummerTour #PaulKelly #MissyHiggins #TheCruelSea #TheCatEmpire #KaseyChambers #JessHitchcock #VictorHarbor #SouthAustralia #LiveMusic #AustralianMusic #FleurieuPeninsula #KentReserve #ConcertAustralia #SummerTour2026