SUBLIME defined an era with their innovative fusion of punk, ska, reggae, and hip-hop — selling more than 20 million records worldwide and inspiring generations of artists. Now, original members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh reunite with Jakob Nowell, son of the late Bradley Nowell, for their first-ever Australian tour. While Sublime’s meteoric rise in the 1990s was cut short in 1996, their music went on to achieve global resonance — yet the band never reached Australian stages. In 2026, that changes when thee band plays Bluesfest, as well as Melbourne and Sydney headline shows.
When Australian Musician caught up with Jakob Nowell, frontman for the latest incarnation of Sublime, he was at home recuperating from an injury that seems almost poetically tied to the band’s surf-punk mythology. While performing at Bayfest in San Diego, Nowell encouraged the crowd to jump into the ocean with him, only to misjudge the depth of the water and hyperextend his knee, resulting in a torn tibia. “It’ll heal naturally,” he laughs, “but maybe I’ll be a little more cautious next time.”
Caution isn’t a word often associated with Sublime, and Nowell admits that stepping into the role once held by his late father Bradley was initially daunting. His first performance with Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson came during the 2023 Bad Brains HR benefit, a moment he describes as “walking toward the edge of a cliff.” Two years on, he’s finally found his rhythm. “It feels like jamming with family,” he says of the current lineup, which also includes Nowell’s longtime collaborator Zeno on guitar.
The show itself balances reverence and reinvention, the messy, sunny, skate-punk energy that defined the West Coast in the ’90s mixed with a new emotional depth. Some songs carry added meaning for Nowell, particularly Badfish. As a recovering addict, he connects deeply with its themes, but he also sees it as a metaphor for being swept into the Sublime legacy: “Being in too deep, over your head, at first it was scary, but now I take it with acceptance.”
Beyond touring, Sublime is gearing up for a big 2025 with a new album. Tracks like “Ensenata” hint at what’s to come – a blend of fresh songwriting from Nowell with ideas drawn from old, unreleased Sublime jams. “I write the melodies and lyrics, and we flesh everything out together,” he says. “It all happens naturally.” With nearly 20 songs in the vault, fans can expect a major release next year.
He’ll arrive in Australia for Bluesfest, Sublime’s first-ever visit to the country and Jakob’s first trip here at all. A longtime fan of Australian acts like King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and Tropical F*** Storm, he says the West Coast/Australia cultural crossover has always felt natural.
On stage, Nowell focuses on vocals and crowd connection, leaving guitar duties to Zeno, despite having inherited pieces of his father’s gear, including the iconic brown guitar and Mesa Boogie amps. “Playing guitar isn’t my specialty. I’d rather let someone nail it while I do what I’m best at, singing and entertaining.”
Between Sublime and his own project, Jacob’s Castle, plus his growing label Sunburnt Records, Nowell admits he keeps a “grandmaster plan,” even if life rarely sticks to one. His recent injury, he jokes, was “the gods teaching me humility.”
As for what Australian fans can expect when Sublime finally lands? “Chaos, fun, connection,” he promises. “A reason to get together, make new memories, and hear some of the new stuff we’ve been cooking up. It feels like a new era of alternative music and we’re just excited to be part of that machine.”
Sublime perform at Bluesfest and select headline dates in 2026.
https://www.sublimelbc.com/
BYRON BAY BLUESFEST 37TH FESTIVAL
EASTER 2026 APRIL 2 – 5 APRIL 2026
THE FIRST ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT
SPLIT ENZ
EARTH, WIND & FIRE • SUBLIME
THE BLACK CROWES • BUDDY GUY
COUNTING CROWS • THE POGUES • MARCUS KING BAND
JERRY HARRISON & ADRIAN BELEW “REMAIN IN LIGHT”
THE LIVING END • XAVIER RUDD
MENTAL AS ANYTHING • MARK SEYMOUR
KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND
ROBERT RANDOLPH • TAJ FARRANT
SKEGSS • THE DREGGS • SOUTH SUMMIT
THE SOUTHERN RIVER BAND • 19-TWENTY
CHAIN • BACKSLIDERS • PIERCE BROTHERS
ÁINE TYRRELL • RAY BEADLE • STEVE POLTZ • DANIEL CHAMPAGNE
• NIK WEST (exclusive) • ROSHANI • ANGELIQUE FRANCIS (exclusive)
JOVIN WEBB (exclusive) • Z-STAR
BEN CATLEY • LAID BACK COUNTRY PICKER (exclusive)
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source australianmusician.com.au ’
