By Michael Burt
It might be regarded as small in the music festival world, but the 2026 River Sounds festival packs a mighty punch in diversity of music, headline acts and cultural vibes befitting to the Bellingen Shire community.
At the heart of this year’s program is a standout collection of Australian talent, led by hip hop heavyweights Thundamentals, whose high-energy live shows and anthemic catalogue have made them a festival favourite nationwide.
Psychedelic rock outfit Babe Rainbow bring their sun-soaked and laid-back grooves to blend into the Bellingen setting, while neo-soul star Kaiit delivers a bold and contemporary blend of soul, hip hop and R&B.
Adding a dose of nostalgia and groove, legendary acid jazz collective Skunkhour and iconic alt-rock outfit Magic Dirt will take audiences back to the golden era of Australian live music.
Electronic maestro Touch Sensitive brings his signature blend of disco, house and pop to the stage, and acclaimed singer-songwriter William Crighton rounds out the headline bill with his powerful, storytelling-driven performances.
While major festivals like Bluesfest have fallen in 2026, the third installment of Riversounds has grown from last year’s one day event into a two day at the Bellingen Showground on May 15–16.
Festival Director and Bellingen local Ben Lewis says being small has been the grounding for the survival of River Sounds amid challenging times in the live entertainment sector.
“The other saviour is our local community. Bellingen really gets behind local events and cares about the arts,” Ben said.
River Sounds had its first outing as a three-day festival in 2022 and then returned in 2025 as a one-day event.
“The first one was a huge undertaking, but it was really successful. I took a break for a couple of years for a whole bunch of reasons and came back last year.”
Ben said festival programming is a tough gig, and 2026 has presented the added challenges of increased transport costs and the Middle East conflict.
“Unfortunately, our international artist Kitty Daisy & Lewis have had to cancel due to increased travel costs and the global uncertainty.”
“It is a tough job doing the programming. The way I approach it with River Sounds is to create diversity across a range of music generes that have something for everyone.”
“It also enables people to experience something new on the day through a band they have not heard of before, whether it be hip hop, electronic, rock, reggae or folk and everything in between.”
Ben’s other programming goals include gender diversity, First Nations representation and catering for the music tastes of multiple generations.
He said River Sounds remains an all-ages event and is dedicated to maintaining a laidback atmosphere for young and old.
“I think it’s important our local teenagers get the opportunity to see the bands they like in their hometown”
“The diversity of music on offer also reflects the Bellingen community.”
Beyond the main stages, River Sounds continues to expand its offering with a dedicated electronic stage that’s set to keep the energy high across the weekend. Leading the charge is festival favourite Little Fritter, known for his global club and festival presence and infectious dancefloor sets. He will be joined by crowd-moving selectors Mood Swing & Chevy Bass and Doppel, creating a vibrant late-night atmosphere that complements the live band program perfectly.
The River Sounds Music & Arts Festival will kick off on Friday May 15, with a special Opening Night presented by Great Southern Nights, the NSW Government’s flagship live music initiative.
With on-site bars, markets, camping and roving performers, the festival delivers a full weekend experience that goes well beyond the music. Tickets are nearly gone, so it’s officially the last call for music lovers to lock in their spot. Tickets at www.riversounds.com.au
