Bluesfest is undeniably one of Australia’s hallmark music destinations. For 30 years, the institution has satiated the hunger of blues, rock and roots fans around the country, providing a haven for those constantly eager to embrace authentic storytelling and dream-like composition.
Over the years, Bluesfest has played host to legends like Bob Dylan, BB King, Erykah Badu, Robert Plant, Kendrick Lamar, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Paul Simon, R.E.M., Grace Jones, Patti Smith, Mavis Staples and so many more. It’s a festival that celebrates the work of artists who have transcended generations of music fans, whose imprints on history will reverberate eternally.
Last week, the third round of additions to Bluesfest 2019’s up and coming installment was announced. Leading the pack was the Godfather of Punk, Iggy Pop as well as jazz troubadour Norah Jones, alongside a slew of incredible longstanding Australian Bluesfest lifers like Archie Roach and Melbourne Ska Orchestra to name a few.
This lineup follows two announcements that prove one undeniable fact – Bluesfest is simply, where legends roam. In 2019, attendees from far and wide will be offered the world’s best in a variety of genres, following Bluesfest’s impeccable record of offering up diverse and interesting lineups.
To celebrate the upcoming 30th anniversary of the festival, here’s a rundown of some of the greatness attendees will be graced with at the event.
Iggy Pop’s appearance will mark his first Aussie tour since his trip down under with The Stooges at Bluesfest back in 2013. Iggy Pop’s live show is a spectacle that can only be believed once witnessed. The punk pioneer, at the ripe old age of 70 is still kicking with the fervor of a teenage rebel. The icon’s setlist feature tracks that span his expansive career, with tunes like ‘Funtime’ ‘Lust For Life’ and ‘The Passenger’.
Iggy blessed a Montreux crowd earlier this year with his undying charisma – check out some of the madness here.
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WATCH: Iggy Pop performs ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’ at Montreux 2018
Norah Jones is a modern jazz luminary to be reckoned with, joining the Bluesfest lineup for her debut appearance. The songwriting icon hasn’t been to Australia since 2013, with her Bluesfest set taking place just a couple of months after the 17th anniversary of her record breaking debut record, Come Away With Me.
Jones’ artistry encompasses everything Bluesfest is about – musicians who’ve lead their pack with unparalleled rawness and emotional vulnerability, charging with fearsome confidence and decadent musical lusciousness.
Watch: Norah Jones perform ‘Flipside’
Paul Kelly exists in an upper echelon of Australian legend that goes unmatched by many. The National Treasure will be making a record-breaking seventh appearance at the festival when he hits the stages next year, treating punters young and old to tales of life, loss and love. There’s nothing more Australian than a sing-a-long session to ‘How To Make Gravy’.
Kelly is obviously no stranger to the Australian touring circuit and is currently in the midst of a record-breaking National tour.
Watch: Paul Kelly – How To Make Gravy
Joining the lineup will also be George Clinton, who’s making his 3rd appearance at the festival with his genre-defining funk mastery. George Clinton is often refardes as one of the foremost innovators of funk music.
Alongside James Brown, Clinton is the most sampled artist by rappers and producers. He’s previously collaborated with enormous names like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tupac Shakur, Ice Cube, Outkast, Wu Tang Clan and Bootsy Collins.
It’ll be music fans last ever chance to catch the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Famer live. Clinton will be retiring in May 2019 after an illustrious 60+ year career and Bluesfest will be the perfect setting for his send off. The icon will be bringing along longtime collaborators Parliament Funkadelic – it’s time to get groovy to ‘Give Up The Funk’.
Watch: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic live in Chicago
Other Australian legends joining the pack include Richard Clapton, Archie Roach and Kasey Chambers, who just achieved a career milestone as the youngest person to ever be inducted into ARIA’s Hall of Fame.
One of Bluesfest’s biggest assets is Peter Noble’s ability to book artists who although may not be household names, are legends in their own right. Vintage Trouble are widely regarded as one of modern rock’s most rousing live acts, Nahko and Medicine For The People are a cult classic with a connection to their fans that is quite simply unparalleled, Larkin Poe are the classic rock revivalists the world needs, Melody Angel will be bring her socially conscious songbook and folk supergroup I’m With Her will make their Australian debut.
Will you be there to see the next generation of legends being born?
Bluesfest 2019 Third Artist Announcement
Iggy Pop
Norah Jones
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Imelda May
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Archie Roach
Pierce Brothers
Backsliders
Fantastic Negrito
The Marcus King Band
Thando
Little Georgia
Benny Walker
Dallas Woods
Joining…
Jack Johnson
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals
Paul Kelly
Hozier
David Gray
Ray La Montagne
Julia Stone
Gary Clark Jr.
George Clinton And Parliament Funkadelic
Mavis Staples
Snarky Puppy
Kasey Chambers
Tommy Emmanuel
Meshell Ndegeocell0
Kurt Vile And The Violators
Keb’ Mo’
Colin Hay
St. Paul And The Broken Bones
Shaky Graves
Arlo Guthrie
Nahko And Medicine For The People
Tex Perkins
Allen Stone
Ruthie Foster
Richard Clapton
Russell Morris
Flogging Molly
Lukas Nelson And The Promise Of The Real
Samantha Fish
The War And Treaty
I’M With Her
Larkin Poe
The Black Sorrows
Vintage Trouble
Mojo Juju
Trevor Hall
Irish Mythen
Anderson East
The California Honeydrops
Elephant Sessions
Deva Mahal
Melody Angel
Hussy Hicks
Caiti Baker
RocKwiz Live
With even more artists yet to be announced…
Thursday, April 18th – Monday, April 22nd, 2019
Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay, NSW
Tickets: Bluesfest
