The fact that this year’s Bluesfest is creeping closer and closer will either give you one of two reactions: if you have a ticket, excitement, but if you don’t, it’d be closer to bitter FOMO.
If you fall into the latter category (or even if you just want to catch one of your favourite artists in a more intimate setting) we’ve compiled a list of the best Bluesfest sideshows that’ll satisfy your cravings.
There’s no need to get the Blues if you can’t go to the Fest – just hit up some of these instead. For more info on any of these shows visit www.bluesfesttouring.com.au
Jurassic 5
Forming in the early ’90s, Jurassic 5 quickly became known as one of the most soulful and socially conscious hip-hop groups of the LA underground scene, and potentially the world. They weren’t throwback or old school, but embodied a nostalgic sound that was simultaneously fresh.
Following a huge sold out tour in early 2014, the singular six-piece are back and showing us what hip-hop should sound like with what’s sure to be a set packed with classics, including ‘Quality Control’, ‘What’s Golden’, ‘Day at The Races’, and ‘Thin Line’.
If you’re ever heard their 2001 LP Power In Numbers it’s undeniable that the record made the group hip hop legends who have set a precedent for interesting and progressive hip-hop for years to come.
Shows
Thursday, 26th March
Panthers, Newcastle
Saturday, 28th March
Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Wednesday, 1st April
Festival Hall, Melbourne
Saturday, 4th April
The Tivoli, Brisbane
Alabama Shakes
American soul outfit Alabama Shakes will be accountable for more than their fair share of the total amount of blues being blasted at the 2015 Bluesfest.
Fronted by the electrifying Brittany Howard, the Shakes dish up bluesy R&B revivalism steeped in deep, soulful southern tones. The band haven’t released new material since 2012’s debut album Boys & Girls, so there’s a fair chance crowds might be in store for some new tunes by the time they hit our shores in April.
Shows
Thursday, 2nd April
Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Charles Bradley And His Extraordinaires
The ‘Screaming Eagle of Soul’, Charles Bradley, has announced he will be bringing his tremendous funk, soul, and R&B stage show to our shores for two very special sideshows.
One of the most remarkable stories of triumph over adversity in contemporary music, Bradley will play with his all-star band who will help him run through his classic cuts like ‘The World (Is Going Up In Flames)’, ‘How Long’, and ‘Why Is It So Hard?’, as well as cuts from his latest sophomore release, Victim Of Love.
Shows
Monday, 30th March 2015
The Gov, Adelaide SA
Wednesday, 1st April 2015
The Corner, Melbourne VIC
Mavis Staples
Mavis Staples
It’s not that often we get a bonafide Rock and Rock Hall Of Famer come to our shores. One of the greatest women in rock of all time, Mavis Staples is the kind of artist Bluesfest fans must see at least once in their life.
After more than 67 years in the game, Mavis is still at the top of hers. With those immortal hits ‘I’ll Take You There’, ‘Down To Mississippi’ and ‘I’ll Take You There’, there’s a reason why Mavis famously made Bob Dylan admit his hairs stood up when he witnessed the soul legend live.
We’re guessing the same thing might happen to audiences at her Bluesfest sideshows.
Shows
Tuesday, 31st March
The Gov, Hindmarsh
Thursday, 2nd April
Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan
Wednesday, 8th April
Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm
Thursday 9th April
Street Theatre, Canberra
Friday, 10th April
Lizottes Newcastle, Lambton
Sunday, 12th April
Sydney Opera House, Sydney
The Chris Robinson Brotherhood
Formed in 2011, the singer of blues rock legends The Black Crowes, Chris Robinson has now embarked on this new project. In an interview late last year, Robinson told Tone Deaf about the creative ambitions of The Chris Robinson Brotherhood stating “my initial idea as well was that I don’t want to have a record deal, I don’t want to do any interviews nor have our pictures taken. I did not want it linked to or have the Black Crowes name to be mentioned in the same breath with this band because we are not playing those songs and I am not asking people to pay that money because I am not doing that”.
The CRB live shows run over three hours, chock-a-block full of grooves Psychedelia and killer vocals, think old school Grateful Dead. Their third album and most recent release, Phosphorescent Harvest has been described as a new set of sounds. All the way from California – Chris Robinson, Neal Casal, Adam MacDougall, George Sluppick and Mark Dutton are set to impress.
Shows
Sat 4th April
The Corner, Melbourne
Monday 6th April
The Metro Theatre, Sydney
Hozier
Boasting one of the biggest radio hits of the past year with his breakout ballad ‘Take Me To Church’, the Grammy-nominated Hozier has become one of this year’s lineup’s biggest draw cards.
It’s been an interesting 12 months for the Irish songwriter. Between those Grammy nominations, performing at the Victoria’s Secret Angel Runway show and playing festivals all over the world, Hozier has managed to pave himself an interesting career, appealing to both mainstream and indie audiences.
One of the most hotly-anticipated names on the bill, Hozier is destined for bigger and better things in 2015.
Shows
Saturday, 28th March 2015 – SOLD OUTCorner Hotel, Melbourne
Monday, 30th March 2015 – SOLD OUT Metro Theatre, Sydney
George Clinton
One of the biggest legends on the Bluesfest line up, and undoubtedly one of the biggest legends in the history of funk, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, one of the most important innovators of Funk music alongside James Brown, Sly Stone and the Funky Meters, brings the ‘awe-funk-some’ P-Funk Collective back to Australia & New Zealand.
Renowned for their one-of-a-kind live performances, decked out in bizarre costumes, elaborate stage sets and of course, copious amounts of musicians on stage, and hearing any beat from this record will bring the house down – don’t be the only fool who doesn’t know the funky jams.
Shows
Wednesday 1st April
The Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Friday 3rd April
170 Russell, Melbourne
Angélique Kidjo
Angélique Kidjo is one of the greatest and most consistently acclaimed forces in African music, a renowned creative energy with twelve international albums to her name, Kidjo has been highly coveted by Bluesfest organisers for some time.
Kidjo has collaborated with the greats from the worlds of jazz and pop, including Philip Glass, Peter Gabriel, Branford Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Herbie Hancock, Bono, Josh Groban, and Alicia Keys, as well as Bluesfest alumni Carlos Santana, Dave Matthews, Dr John, John Legend, and Joss Stone. Mixing together a spilling cocktail of afropop and afrobeat, reggae, jazz a few sprinkles of funk and soulful, bellowing vocals, Kidjo received a Best World Music Album Grammy award for her stunning 2014 album Eve (out via Savoy Records).
Shows
Saturday 4th April
The Powerhouse, Brisbane
Wednesday 8th April
Canberra Theatre, Canberra
