Mudhoney to Headline Brisbanes ZED51 Festival on 24 October 2026
On October 24 2026, Brisbane’s Roma Street Parklands will reverberate with the raw energy of Seattle’s grunge veterans as Mudhoney opens the main stage at the 4ZZZ‑presented ZED51 festival. The one‑day event will feature 13 acts across two stages, with a line‑up that weaves Australian rock, hip‑hop, punk and alternative into a single, non‑overlapping schedule.
ZED51 succeeds 4ZZZ’s 2025 ZED50 celebration, which marked the community radio station’s 50th anniversary. The festival will run from noon to late evening, offering market stalls and food vendors that give the day a family‑friendly feel.
Mudhoney’s return to Australia follows a long‑standing relationship with Brisbane’s independent scene. The band first performed at a 4ZZZ‑promoted show in March 1990 at the East Leagues Club and later that year appeared at the station’s 15th anniversary as part of the Livid Festival. Formed in 1988, Mudhoney released early singles such as “Touch Me I’m Sick” and the Superfuzz Bigmuff EP on Sub Pop, helping to define the grunge sound that later propelled Seattle acts worldwide. Their most recent studio album, Plastic Eternity, was issued in 2023.
The 4ZZZ lineup reflects the station’s commitment to diversity and local talent. Australian hip‑hop artist Barkaa—who earned ARIA Award nominations for her debut EP Blak Matriarchy and a National Indigenous Music Award—will perform alongside Brisbane favourites Custard, whose catalogue dates back to the 1990s alternative boom. Adelaide hard‑rock group The Mark Of Cain will return to Brisbane to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their album This Is This and preview material from a forthcoming sixth studio album.
Other acts include Melbourne’s Cash Savage & The Last Drinks, Osaka pop‑punk veterans Shonen Knife, and a one‑off reunion of Brisbane indie band I Heart Hiroshima, who will reform specifically for the festival after nearly a decade away. Contemporary Australian performers such as Tape/Off, DEM MOB, Mitch, Please, Superhotel, Still Full From Lunch and Baby Cool will also appear.
Tickets are available through Oztix. 4ZZZ subscribers receive a presale on Wednesday 24 June at 12:00 pm, with general public sales beginning Thursday 25 June at the same time. Subscriber tickets cost $109.99, including booking fee, while general admission tickets are $129.99. The festival is free‑entry for all ages.
ZED51 demonstrates 4ZZZ’s intention to establish an annual gathering that connects generations of artists and audiences beyond its 50th‑anniversary celebrations. Mudhoney’s headline slot, coupled with a lineup that spans multiple decades and genres, underscores the broadcaster’s role as a platform for both legacy acts and emerging talent in Brisbane’s independent music ecosystem.
