BARUNAH PLAINS, VIC — Global dance music powerhouse John Summit has officially secured the festival’s most coveted performance slot: the New Year’s Eve midnight countdown. Fresh off a massive year defined by his latest album CTRL ESCAPE and a landmark headline appearance at Tomorrowland 2026, Summit brings an arsenal of over a billion global streams to the Victorian paddock.
Promoters confirmed that his performance will anchors a deep electronic billing that features multi-hour sets from Dutch rave icon KI/KI, alongside heavy hitters Overmono, Armand Van Helden, and Disco Lines.
Exclusive Acts and Main-Stage Highlights
In a major booking coup for the Australian summer circuit, six-time Grammy winners Black Eyed Peas are locked in for an exclusive, one-off Australian performance at the festival. They share the top-tier billing with British grime pioneer Skepta, making his first return to the festival since 2019, and hip-hop heavyweight Vince Staples.
The live band contingent is equally robust, marked by the festival debut of Ocean Alley performing tracks from their number-one album Love Balloon. Aussie pop-rock staples The Veronicas are also slated to return to the festival stage after a six-year hiatus.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ BEYOND THE VALLEY 2026 │
│ BARUNAH PLAINS, VIC │
├───────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ MAJOR HEADLINERS │ John Summit (NYE Countdown), │
│ │ Black Eyed Peas (AUS Exclusive) │
├───────────────────────────+────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHTS│ Skepta, Vince Staples, KI/KI, Overmono, │
│ │ Nia Archives, Armand Van Helden │
├───────────────────────────+────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ AUSTRALIAN CONTINGENT │ Ocean Alley, The Veronicas, Odd Mob, │
│ │ The Jungle Giants, Rum Jungle, Playlunch │
└───────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────────────┘
“Festivals Matter More Than Ever”
The 11th edition marks a resilient milestone for the Australian live music landscape, which has faced severe economic headwinds over the last few years. Speaking on the announcement, Nicholas Greco, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Untitled Group, emphasized the cultural necessity of these spaces:
“Festivals matter more than ever. They give people a place to belong, and a place to fall in love with music – and it’s a privilege to play a part in that through BTV,” according to co-founder Nicholas Greco.
Supported by the Australian Federal Government’s Revive Live initiative and the Victorian Government’s Regional Events Fund, the festival is positioned as a key driver for local tourism in the Geelong and Bellarine areas.
Enhanced Infrastructure and Expanded Zones
Organisers are expanding site infrastructure for 2026, with “The Valley Stage” set for its largest build yet, alongside the return of the “Dance Dome” and “Dr Dan’s” stage. New additions include a “The Woods” sanctuary and a “Lounge Room” for interactive events.
Critical Ticket Information
Tickets for the event are scheduled for release in stages:
- The Daily Aus Presale: Tuesday, 4 August 2026, 10:00 AM AEST.
- Official BTV Presale: Thursday, 6 August 2026, 6:00 PM AEST.
- General Public Sale: Friday, 7 August 2026, 12:00 PM AEST.
Options include 4-day to single-day passes, with camping and transfer options available.
