By Saturday at Mundi Mundi 2026, the pristine red dirt of the outback had been replaced by something that could probably swallow a small hatchback, but nobody seemed particularly interested in complaining.
The Bashers had survived the rain, embraced the mud and were still walking around with smiles from ear to ear. Gumboots had officially become festival fashion, and if you weren’t carrying at least three kilos of Mundi Mundi Plains around on the bottom of each shoe, were you even there?
The Radiators kicked off the final day of live music and immediately reminded everyone why they’ve remained such a loved part of Australian rock for decades. No easing into Saturday gently — straight into some good old-fashioned Aussie rock and roll. Bringing out the Surf board was pretty fitting considering the amount of water we had.
Then came 19-Twenty, who once again demonstrated that standing still during one of their performances is apparently against the law. These blokes play like somebody has told them the stage is about to be repossessed, and they’ve got 45 minutes to use every last bit of it. Brilliant fun…… one of my favourites throughout the festival!
Fanny Lumsden brought her own infectious energy to the Plains. There is something wonderfully genuine about Fanny live — country music without taking herself too seriously, storytelling, personality and that ability to make an enormous festival feel strangely intimate.
The Whitlams changed gears beautifully. Tim Freedman’s unmistakable voice and songwriting provided one of those afternoon sets where you suddenly realise just how many songs have become woven into the soundtrack of Australian life.
Then Baby Animals arrived.
Suze DeMarchi remains one of this country’s great rock frontwomen. Cool without trying to be cool, commanding without needing to scream for attention, and backed by a band that knows exactly how to deliver a proper rock show. The mud might have slowed everyone walking between the stage and their chairs, but it certainly didn’t slow Baby Animals down…… and who doesn’t love when Dave Leslie shreds that guitar like it is a rental!!!!!!
John Butler followed with musicianship that is simply ridiculous at times. Watching Butler work a guitar remains one of those experiences where fellow guitar players either become inspired… or quietly consider putting theirs on Marketplace the following morning.
And finally, Jon Stevens had the responsibility of closing Mundi Mundi 2026.
What a way to finish.
Stevens brought the voice, swagger and rock-and-roll firepower needed to put the final exclamation mark on an extraordinary few days. After everything the crowd had endured, they somehow found enough left in the tank for one last dance, one last singalong and probably one final attempt at rescuing a gumboot from the mud.
But Saturday was about much more than the artists.
The Mundi Mundi team deserves enormous credit. Conditions changed constantly and difficult decisions had to be made, but safety remained the priority while the team continued adapting and somehow kept this enormous outback beast moving.
To the volunteers — absolute legends. Events like this simply don’t happen without people willing to put in ridiculous hours behind the scenes.
To every artist who stepped onto that stage and gave the Bashers something to smile about — thank you.
And personally, a huge thank you to the incredible Mundi Mundi Media Team who looked after both Seth and me throughout the Bash. Access is one thing, but being made to feel welcome and supported while you’re working in conditions like these is something else entirely.
And finally, the fans.
You were wet. You were muddy. Some of you had endured one hell of a journey just getting there.
Yet you kept smiling.
That, more than anything, is what I’ll remember about Mundi Mundi 2026.
The weather tried its hardest.
The Bashers won.
