Mudhoney to Headline Brisbanes ZED51 Festival on 24 October 2026

After a 36‑year absence from Brisbane’s independent music scene, Seattle grunge pioneers Mudhoney are slated to headline the city’s ZED51 festival on 24 October 2026. The band will perform at Roma Street Parklands, a venue that has hosted a range of local and international acts for decades.

ZED51 is the latest edition of the festival that grew out of 4ZZZ’s 50th‑anniversary celebrations. The community radio station, which began broadcasting in 1975, marked half a century of service in 2025 with a series of events, including the inaugural Zed50 festival. According to 4ZZZ station manager Nick, the success of Zed50 “prompted the decision to stage a new edition, now called ZED51.” The event will feature 13 acts across two stages, ensuring that no set overlaps and that audiences can experience the full breadth of the lineup.

Mudhoney’s return to Brisbane is more than a nostalgic nod. Formed in 1988, the band was a flagship act for Sub Pop and helped lay the groundwork for the global grunge movement. Their early releases, such as the single “Touch Me I’m Sick” and the Superfuzz Bigmuff EP, remain touchstones of the genre’s formative years. In 2023, Mudhoney released Plastic Eternity, demonstrating that the group still produces fresh material more than 35 years after its inception.

The festival’s roster reflects 4ZZZ’s commitment to diversity and the Australian music ecosystem. Aboriginal Australian rapper Barkaa, whose Malyangapa and Barkindji heritage informs her work, follows a breakthrough period that saw her debut EP Blak Matriarchy earn ARIA Award nominations and a National Indigenous Music Award. Her 2024 album Big Tidda broadened her audience.

Other acts include Brisbane favourites Custard, a band that emerged during the 1990s Australian alternative rock boom, and Adelaide heavy‑rock group The Mark Of Cain, who will return to Brisbane to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their acclaimed album This Is This and preview material from a forthcoming sixth studio album. Melbourne’s Cash Savage & The Last Drinks and Osaka pop‑punk veterans Shonen Knife add international flavor, while a one‑off reunion performance from Brisbane indie favourites I Heart Hiroshima will mark their return after nearly a decade.

Contemporary Australian acts such as Tape/Off, DEM MOB, Mitch, Please, Superhotel, Still Full From Lunch and Baby Cool will also headline the festival, ensuring that the event showcases both legacy and emerging talent. Market stalls and food vendors will be scattered throughout the day, reinforcing 4ZZZ’s role within Brisbane’s independent music ecosystem.

Ticketing details are as follows: 4ZZZ subscribers can purchase a presale ticket on Wednesday 24 June at 12:00 pm for $109.99, including booking fee. General‑public tickets go on sale Thursday 25 June at 12:00 pm for $129.99, including booking fee. All tickets are available through the Oztix platform.

ZED51 is positioned as an annual gathering that connects generations of artists and audiences beyond its 50th‑anniversary celebrations. Mudhoney’s headline slot confirms the band’s return to the Australian stage, while the diverse lineup underscores 4ZZZ’s continued influence on Brisbane’s music culture. The event is scheduled for 24 October 2026 at Roma Street Parklands, and tickets go on sale beginning in late June.