Today the 24th Bluesfest Byron Bay – the Festival that will be presenting its best lineup ever over the upcoming Easter Long Weekend (28 March – 1 April) – adds another stack of artists to its dream bill, as well as announcing a 2nd show of a much anticipated performer, and a wonderful collaboration of two very gifted musicians.
Aussie and Kiwi acts were only announced a while back, and include some of our finest with The Cat Empire, Xavier Rudd, Beasts Of Bourbon. On top of local acts, there have been several HUGE announcements in previous months about what is sire to be one of Australia’s most impressive festival line ups of all time.
From iconic acts such as Led Zelleplin’s Robert Plant, guitar legend Santana, rock ‘n’ roll icons Iggy & The Stooges and master wordsmith Paul Simon to modern classics like Wilco and Dropkick Murphys, this is the lineup that just doesn’t quit!
As Festival Director Peter Noble has already enthused in our feature interview, the Easter music festival promises to be the hottest ticket in town.
Adding to the lineup this time is a special set of performances from Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite, a second show from Manu Chao La Ventura, plus the addition of Zac Brown Band, Leonardo’ Bride, Skipping Girl Vinegar and more!
Noble says “I can’t wait to see Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite on stage together on Day 1 of Bluesfest Thursday 28th of March. This is a show you simply cannot miss. There are so many performances this year, that are going to move you deeply and this will be one of many. I was there the year Harper begged an introduction to his idol at Bluesfest 1996. Despite the difference in age and background, the two hit it off immediately.”
Manu Chao will be gracing us with a 2nd show on Easter Sunday. When we announced Manu Chao for Good Friday the response was massive, his following in Australia is so big, so it will be welcomed news to many Festival goers.
The Zac Brown Band’s addition to the Easter Monday will spice things up even more. They are one entertaining, impressive and downright outstanding band with an amazing energy.
Plus coming back back some very treasured artists of the Music Maker Foundation. The foundation is something very close to my heart, as it also supports the older musicians as well as musicians in need. There are simply so many good things that come out of this Foundation. This year the Music Maker Blues Revue features artists Ironing Board Sam, Major Handy, Pat Wilder & Dr Burt. It’s a Blues Blend at its best!
Of course Bluesfest wouldn’t be being true to itself if it didn’t announce more Aussie Talent to the bill as well including last year’s Busking competition winner Brotherfox.
The 24th Bluesfest will take place between Thursday 28th of March and Monday 1st of April 2013 at Bluesfest’s permanent home at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm outside of Byron Bay.
Latest Bluesfest 2013 Lineup Additions
BEN HARPER AND CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE
ZAC BROWN BAND
MANU CHAO LA VENTURA *SECOND SHOW*
THE MUSIC MAKER BLUES REVUE
FEAT. IRONING BOARD SAM, MAJOR HANDY, PAT WILDER & DR. BURT
LEONARDO’S BRIDE
NICKY BOMBA’S BUSTAMENTO
SKIPPING GIRL VINEGAR
ALLEN STONE
KIM CHURCHILL
SHAUN KIRK
GENEVIEVE CHADWICK
BROTHER FOX
24th Annual Byron Bay Bluesfest 2013
PAUL SIMON
ROBERT PLANT PRESENTS SENSATIONAL SPACE SHIFTERS
BEN HARPER
SANTANA
IGGY & THE STOOGES
STEVE MILLER BAND
COUNTING CROWS
WILCO
RODRIGUEZ
CHRIS ISAAK
BONNIE RAITT
ROGER HODGSON THE LEGENDARY VOICE OF SUPERTRAMP
STATUS QUO
DROPKICK MURPHYS
MADNESS
JIMMY CLIFF
RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND
TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE
THE CAT EMPIRE
TAJ MAHAL TRIO
ROBERT CRAY
SHUGGIE OTIS
THE LUMINEERS
BEN HOWARD
KITTY DAISY & LEWIS
THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA
MAVIS STAPLES
ALLEN TOUSSAINT
JON ANDERSON THE VOICE OF YES
JOAN ARMATRADING
FAT FREDDY’S DROP
XAVIER RUDD
GLEN HANSARD WITH THE FRAMES
FRANK TURNER AND THE SLEEPING SOULS
FRED WESLEY AND THE NEW JB’S
THE BREAK FEAT. MEMBERS OF MIDNIGHT OIL, VIOLENT FEMMES, HUNTERS & COLLECTORS
GRACE POTTER
PLAYING FOR CHANGE
BETTYE LAVETTE
RUTHIE FOSTER
WANDA JACKSON
SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK
SOJA
TONY JOE WHITE
LUKA BLOOM
SHAWN COLVIN
NEWTON FAULKNER
MICHAEL KIWANUKA
WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE
ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD
MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA
THE BAMBOOS
BEASTS OF BOURBON
KARISE EDEN
THE BEARDS
JAKE SHIMABUKURO
JASON MRAZ
MANU CHAO LA VENTURA
MARK SEYMOUR AND THE UNDERTOW
CHRIS SMITHER
CURRENT SWELL
MATT ANDERSEN
GO JANE GO FEAT. KIERAN KANE, DAVID FRANCEY & LUCAS KANE
THE MCMENAMINS
DAMIEN DEMPSEY
TAV FALCO & THE PANTHER BURNS
JD MCPHERSON
BUSBY MAROU
HAT FITZ & CARA
THE SNOWDROPPERS
KING CANNONS
SETH LAKEMAN
GREY GHOST
THE DUKE ROBILLARD BAND
SASKWATCH
BEN CAPLAN
MASON RACK BAND
ROUND MOUNTAIN GIRLS
THE WILSON PICKERS
WARDS XPRESS
LIL FI & THE DIRTY RASCALS
THE SONGS OF THE HAIGHT ASHBURY STAGE SHOW
ROCKWIZ LIVE
Bluesfest 2013 Tickets & Dates
Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay
Thursday March 28th – Monday April 1st, 2013
Tickets: www.bluesfest.com.au
ph: 02 6685 8310
