New Found Sound 2026 Draws Record Crowd

8,600 punters enjoyed the free festivals held across Port Adelaide.

New Found Sound 2026 was a massive success, drawing a record crowd of 8,600 music lovers to Port Adelaide on Saturday 9 May.

The annual free, all-ages music fest has fast established itself as one of South Australia’s most exciting events across its three-year history.

Presented in partnership with City of Port Adelaide Enfield and Music Development Office, there was a 56% increase in attendees following last year’s festival, helping reaffirm SA’s status as a UNESCO City of Music.

“New Found Sound is the ultimate celebration of the creative, entrepreneurial, an collaborative spirit of the Port Adelaide precinct,” says City of Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Claire Boan.

“The festival’s success proves that Port Adelaide is not only a live music destination but a true cultural hub as our bars, restaurants and pubs were at full capacity for most of the night.”

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A celebration of all things local music, this year’s New Found Sound welcomed 40 musical acts, including four interstate guests for the first time: Noongar Wongi rapper INKABEE, Guringai indie pop sisters Charlie Needs Braces, Tassie electro duo Mum and Dad and Sydney punk outfit Canine.

On the SA front, the lineup was as diverse as it’s ever been, with the likes of folk pop singer Ella Ion, psych rockers Druid Fluids, experimental multi-instrumentalist artist Adam Page, Malawian Australian singer-songwriter Ms Chipeta, shoegaze outfit Sunsick Diasy and souljazz artist Jamie Lena Kerslake just some of the awesome acts who performed.

10 incredible venues opened their doors for New Found Sound 2026, with 10 Gallon Hat, City of Adelaide Clipper Ship, Colac Port ADL, Fergie Mac’s Lounge, Lighthouse Wharf Stage, McGregor and Young Distillery, Pirate Life Brewery, Port River Cruises, SA Maritime Museum and Waterside Workers Hall all involved.

As it has every year since its inception in 2024, New Found Sound provides both a cultural and economic boom for the Port, with organisers already looking towards how they can make next year’s instalment even better.

New Found Sound 2026 took place across 10 venues throughout Port Adelaide on Saturday 9 May. More information is available at newfoundsound.com.au.

Participating venues and artists

10 Gallon Hat

Grace Vandals (SA)

stripes, scarf (SA)

Blood Circle (SA)

LOLA (SA)

City of Adelaide Clipper Ship

Adam Page (SA)

Colac Port Adelaide

The Matehs (SA)

Rob Edwards (SA) (Western Arrernte)

Elizabeth Ruyi (SA)

King of Spain (SA)

Fergie Mac’s Lounge

Ms Chipeta (SA)

Grace Shirley (SA)

Stickybeak (SA)

Minnie Little Trad Band (SA)

The Lighthouse Wharf Stage

Broken Waves (SA)

INKABEE (WA) (Noongar)

Miss Orange Juicy (SA)

Jamie Lena Kerslake (SA)

Bloomy Meadows & Inkswel (SA)

McGregor & Young Distillery

LENI (SA)

Sunsick Daisy (SA)

Loopole (SA)

Ella Ion (SA)

Pirate Life

MAAJELA (SA)

Swapmeet (SA)

Charlie Needs Braces (VIC) (Guringai)

Colourblind (SA)

Druid Fluids (SA)

Port River Cruises

Scott Rathman Jnr (SA) (Eastern Arrernte)

Jack Ray (SA)

Marina Anthea (SA)

Gilly & Bede (SA)

SA Maritime Museum

Tristan Louth-Robins (SA)

little-scale (SA)

Emma Gregan (SA)

LIIT (SA)

Waterside Workers Hall

Meena de Silva (SA)

Djawbreaker (SA)

Mum & Dad (TAS)

Avalone Kane (SA)

Canine (NSW)