Good blues, cold beer and a weekend by the water at Swordfish Blues & Brew

There's something about blues music that seems to go particularly well with a cold beer, good food and a weekend away from the city.

Throw in a coastal town, a few familiar faces and some of Australia's finest blues musicians, and you've got the makings of a pretty good time. That's exactly what's on offer when the Swordfish Blues & Brews Festival returns to Sussex Inlet from 23–25 October 2026.

 

Tucked away on the beautiful NSW South Coast, Sussex Inlet is the sort of place where life moves at a slightly different pace. It's a town built around the water, fishing, boating and long afternoons that don't necessarily need a plan. And for one weekend in October, it's also going to be home to a serious gathering of Australian blues talent, with Swordfish Brewing once again bringing together live music, locally brewed beer and the kind of atmosphere that makes a small festival feel like a gathering of old friends.

 

The beauty of a festival like Swordfish Blues & Brews is that it doesn't try to be something it's not. There's no enormous paddock to navigate, no endless walk between stages and no need to spend half the day working out where you're supposed to be. It's simply a great venue, a strong line-up of musicians and plenty of time to enjoy the music, have a conversation and settle in for the weekend.

And the line-up is a good one, bringing together some of the most respected names in Australian blues alongside artists who continue to push the music in different directions.

 

Saturday's program builds towards a headline performance from Ray Beadle, one of the country's finest blues guitarists and a musician who has spent more than three decades earning his reputation the old-fashioned way, playing the music in front of people. Beadle's guitar work can move from delicate and soulful to downright ferocious, but it's his feel for the music that really sets him apart. He's the sort of player who understands that sometimes the notes you leave out are just as important as the ones you play.

 

Before Beadle takes the stage, there's plenty to enjoy. The Foreday Riders bring more than four decades of Australian blues history to the festival, with their unmistakable mix of Chicago blues, jump blues and swing. They've been part of the country's blues landscape for so long that it's difficult to imagine the scene without them, and their performances remain a reminder of just how good this music can sound when it's played by people who know it inside out.

 

Continental Robert Susz Juke Joint Three will be bringing a little of that old Southern juke joint spirit to Sussex Inlet. Susz has long been one of Australian blues and soul's great characters, and his music has always had that wonderful mix of groove, grit and personality. It's the sort of sound that makes sitting still seem like a waste of time.

 

There'll also be a special appearance from Sara, Brett and Travis of The Allniters, bringing their infectious blend of ska, rhythm and blues to the weekend. Anyone who remembers the band's glory days will know that The Allniters have never been short on energy, and their music remains as much about having a good time as it is about the songs themselves.

 

Ali Penney & The Money Makers will add their rich mix of blues, soul and Americana, while Horse Drawn Cadillac bring their own lively take on traditional roots music. Opening Saturday's music are Marji Curran and James Southwell, two accomplished musicians whose combination of soulful vocals and guitar playing should provide a fine start to the afternoon.

 

Sunday keeps the momentum going with another impressive collection of performers, including Nathan Cavaleri, Frank Sultana, Darren Jack and Sally King and The Repeat Offenders.

 

Nathan Cavaleri has one of the more remarkable stories in Australian music. From the young guitar prodigy who attracted international attention to the accomplished songwriter and performer he is today, Cavaleri has spent a lifetime developing his own relationship with the blues. These days his music draws as much on personal experience as it does on guitar technique, making for performances that offer plenty beyond the obvious fireworks.

 

Frank Sultana arrives with an international reputation strengthened by his victory at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. His music has that raw, earthy quality that connects the Delta blues tradition with contemporary Australian songwriting, driven by a powerful voice and some exceptional slide guitar. He's a musician who understands the value of keeping things simple and letting the song do the talking.

 

Darren Jack brings another side of the blues to the stage, combining guitar, harmonica and a commanding vocal style with influences that stretch through roots and rock. A longtime favourite on the Australian live circuit, Jack knows how to work a crowd without losing sight of the music.

 

Sally King and The Repeat Offenders will open Sunday's program with their mix of blues, soul and roots. King's powerful voice has been a familiar part of the Australian music scene for years, and her performances have always carried plenty of character and conviction.

 

Of course, a weekend like this wouldn't be complete without a proper blues jam, and the festival gets underway on Friday evening with the Sydney Blues Society Blues Jam. Running from 7pm until 10pm with free entry, it's a chance for musicians and blues lovers to come together in the sort of informal setting where some of the best musical moments can happen. Anyone who's spent time around the blues scene knows that a good jam can take on a life of its own, with familiar players, unexpected combinations and the occasional surprise that nobody saw coming.

 

And while the music is clearly the main attraction, the other half of the festival's name deserves some attention too. Swordfish Brewing provides the perfect setting for a weekend built around live blues, with its own craft beers, good food and the relaxed hospitality that makes Sussex Inlet such an appealing place to spend a few days.

 

There's a certain pleasure in being able to enjoy a festival without feeling like you're racing from one thing to the next. You can arrive early, find a spot, grab something to eat, discover an artist you haven't heard before and catch up with people you haven't seen for a while. That's always been part of what makes the Australian blues community special. The musicians and audiences tend to know one another, and there's a shared appreciation for music that's built on feeling rather than fashion.

 

It's also a reminder that some of the best live music experiences aren't necessarily found in big city venues or enormous festivals. Sometimes they're in smaller coastal towns, breweries, pubs and community spaces where the connection between the artist and audience is a little closer.

 

With a line-up that stretches from Australian blues veterans to some of the country's most exciting contemporary players, Swordfish Blues & Brews has put together a weekend that celebrates the depth and diversity of the local scene without losing the simple pleasures that make live music worth getting out of the house for.

 

And really, that's what a good festival should be about. Great musicians, good company, a few cold beers and enough time to enjoy it all.

Add a weekend by the water, and Sussex Inlet sounds like a pretty good place to be this October.

 

Swordfish Blues & Brews Festival 2026

23–25 October 2026 | Swordfish Brewing, Sussex Inlet, NSW

 

Friday 23 October — Doors 5pm

Sydney Blues Society Blues Jam — 7pm–10pm (free entry)

Saturday 24 October — Doors noon

Marji Curran & James Southwell - Ali Penney & The Money Makers - Horse Drawn Cadillac - Continental Robert Susz Juke Joint Three - Foreday Riders - The Allniters: Sara, Brett & Travis - Ray Beadle

Sunday 25 October — Doors noon

Sally King and The Repeat Offenders - Darren Jack - Nathan Cavaleri - Frank Sultana

 

Tickets

Two-day festival pass: $70 + booking fees

Saturday pass: $55 + booking fees

Sunday pass: $45 + booking fees

More information: www.swordfishbrewing.com.au