Entertainment
20 December, 2025
It’s music to Shire’s ears
SAVANNAH Sounds, part of Port Douglas Carnivale, has unveiled a huge program, when it returns with three nights of major Australian artists at Rex Smeal Park from 22-24 May 2026.
Savannah Sound’s line-up will feature Jon Stevens, Vanessa Amorosi, Sneaky Sound System and Dragon, supported by Kingswood, Sara Berki, Austin Mackay and a selection of local performers.
Jon Stevens will perform the Noiseworks and INXS collection, bringing some of the most recognisable hits of the 80s and 90s to the Carnivale stage.
Festival director James Dein said the 2026 line-up reflected the strong audience appetite for high-quality live music in Port Douglas.
“Savannah Sounds was one of the highlights of Carnivale earlier this year and we are excited to bring it back bigger for 2026,” he said.
“Jon Stevens is the kind of artist who gets everyone on their feet. His Noiseworks and INXS collection is full of songs people know by heart and paired with Vanessa Amorosi’s chart-topping hits, Saturday night is going to be massive.
“Add in the hits of the 70s with Dragon and the smooth beats of Sneaky Sound System and we have a festival program with broad appeal across all ages.”
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said Carnivale continued to grow in importance for both the community and the region’s visitor economy.
“Having Savannah Sounds as part of the program brings an incredible boost to the overall event. Port Douglas has never hosted a music weekend of this scale and it is fantastic to have an event curated by the same organisers behind the hugely successful Savannah in the Round,” she said.
“It adds real value to the region and gives people another strong reason to visit and stay.”
State Member for Cook David Kempton said music from Dragon was from my era, “so I can’t wait”.
“In light of the great success of Savannah Sounds in Port Douglas over three days in May, I will be working hard with the organiser to ensure this year’s event is even bigger and better,” he said.
Tourism Port Douglas Daintree (TPDD) executive officer Emma Tunnock said she was delighted that Savannah Sounds was going to be even bigger and better than last year.
“It’s just great news for Port Douglas tourism and the Region in general,” she said.
