Byron Bay Bluesfest 2015 is shaping up to be one of the biggest lineups the world-famous blues, roots, folk, rock, and rhythm & blues festival has had in recent memory, and it’s just gotten even more exciting with a raft of new sideshows freshly announced, including The Gipsy Kings, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Jimmy Cliff, Mavis Staples, Angelique Kidjo, The Beat, and Jake Shimabukuro.
The Gipsy Kings feat. Nicolas Reyes & Tonino Baliardo
Flamenco, rumba, salsa and pop extraordinaires The Gipsy Kings are set to make their triumphant return to Aussie shores after five long years. The humungous French outfit are rarin’ to get the party started.
The Gipsy Kings will raise the roof of every venue they play with dance-ready furore, returning to their ground-breaking eponymous album and the nomadic spirit that has led them to their latest Grammy winning album Savor Flamenco.
The Gipsy Kings feat. Nicolas Reyes & Tonino Baliardo Australian Tour Dates
Friday, 10th April 2015
Palais, Melbourne
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Friday, 14th November 2014
Saturday, 11th April 2015
Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Friday, 14th November 2014
Monday, 13th April 2015
Riverside Theatre, Perth
Tickets: Ticketek
Tickets on sale 9am local time Monday, 10th November 2014
Also appearing at Byron Bay Bluesfest 2015
David Gray
Described as ‘the young Bob Dylan’ by the one and only Joan Baez, Ireland’s most treasured singer-songwriter David Gray has revealed two sideshows outside of his Bluesfest performances.
The soft rocker is famed for his stellar 1998 release White Ladder which spawned timeless classics ‘This Year’s Love’, ‘Please Forgive Me’ and ‘Babylon’ and sold over 10,000,000 copies.
Gray is a renown for his electrifying and soulful performances, and we’re certain his 2015 visit to Australia will be no different.
David Gray Australian Tour Dates
Wednesday, 1st April 2015
State Theatre, Sydney
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Friday, 14th November 2014
Sunday, 5th April 2015
Palais, Melbourne
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Friday, 14th November 2014
Also appearing at Byron Bay Bluesfest 2015
Michael Franti & Spearhead
One of the most revered live performers in modern music is Michael Franti and his band Spearhead.
Australia will shake with the optimistic, feel-good anthems of the Californian artist in 2015, with Bluesfest Peter Noble himself on the Californian artist “A Michael Franti & Spearhead concert is spiritual – it’s physical – it’s about life and loving life – it’s such a wonderful experience.”
Michael Franti & Spearhead Australian Tour Dates
Wednesday, 8th April 2015
Panthers, Newcastle
Tickets: Moshtix
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Thursday, 6th November 2014
Thursday, 9th April 2015
C.ex Coffs, Coffs Harbour
Tickets: C.ex Coffs
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Thursday, 6th November 2014
Friday, 10th April 2015
The Tivoli, Brisbane
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Friday, 14th November 2014
Saturday, 11th April 2015
Tanks, Cairns
Tickets: Ticketlink
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Wednesday, 5th November 2014
Also appearing at Byron Bay Bluesfest 2015
Jimmy Cliff
There are few musicians who have truly reached legend status, and Jamaican artist Jimmy Cliff is definitely one of them.
With a legacy stretching back almost 50 years, Jimmy Cliff has remained one of the prime movers and continuing shapers of modern music, his most recent album Rebirth (2012), was produced by none other than Tim Armstrong, front man of American Punk-Rock band Rancid who has cited Cliff as his most admired artist.
Spreading the much-needed beauty of feel-good reggae across Australia, we welcome Cliff with arms wide open.
Jimmy Cliff Australian Tour Dates
Wednesday, 8th April 2015
The Corner, Melbourne
Tickets: Bluesfest Touring
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Wednesday, 5th November 2014
Thursday, 9th April 2015
Metro Theatre, Sydney
Tickets: Ticketek
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Wednesday, 5th November 2014
Also appearing at Byron Bay Bluesfest 2015
Mavis Staples
Mavis Staples is one of the most highly esteemed acts on the 2015 Byron Bay Bluesfest line. A Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, a Grammy Award and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and a National Heritage Fellowship Award recipient, Staples’ career spans 67 years.
From her groundbreaking family gospel group to her storied solo career, Mavis Staples is responsible for blazing a unique R&B trail while never letting go of her gospel roots and it is now that her star is shining brightest.
Mavis Staples Australian Tour Dates
Tuesday, 31st March 2015
The Gov, Adelaide
Tickets: Bluesfest Touring
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Wednesday, 5th November 2014
Thursday, 2nd April 2015
Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan
Tickets: Lyrebird Arts Council
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Friday, 7th November 2014
Wednesday, 8th April 2015
Powerhouse, Brisbane
Tickets: Powerhouse
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Wednesday, 5th November 2014
Thursday, 9th April 2015
The Street Theatre, Canberra
Tickets: The Street
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Wednesday, 5th November 2014
Friday, 10th April 2015
Lizottes, Newcastle
Tickets: Lizottes
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Wednesday, 5th November 2014
Also appearing at Byron Bay Bluesfest 2015
Angelique 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.
Angelique Kidjo Australian Tour Dates
Saturday, 4th April 2015
Powerhouse, Brisbane
Tickets: Powerhouse
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Wednesday, 5th November 2014
Wednesday, 8th April 2015
Canberra Theatre, Canberra
Tickets: Canberra Theatre
Tickets on sale 9am local time Monday, 10th November 2014
Also appearing at Byron Bay Bluesfest 2015
The Beat
The Beat stand alongside bands like The Specials and Madness as one of the most critically acclaimed and renowned leaders of UK’s famous 2-Tone movement, dispatching non-stop hits, including timeless singles like ‘Mirror in the Bathroom’, ‘Too Nice To Talk To’, and ‘Can’t Get Used To Losing You’.
Having come in at number 45 in the UK Telegraph’s 100 best Glastonbury performances ever, Bluesfest organisers simply couldn’t wait to bring them back Down Under. Joining ironing frontman Ranking Roger will be Ranking Junior on vocals, Oscar Harrison on drums plus Andy Pearson, Matt Godwin and Steve Harper on bass, sax and guitar.
The Beat Australian Tour Dates
Wednesday, 1st April 2015
Charles Hotel, Perth
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Friday, 14th November 2014
Thursday, 2nd April 2015
The Corner, Melbourne
Tickets: Bluesfest Touring
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Wednesday, 5th November 2014
Sunday, 5th April 2015
The Factory, Sydney
Tickets: Bluesfest Touring
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Wednesday, 5th November 2014
Also appearing at Byron Bay Bluesfest 2015
Jake Shimabukuro
Ukulele wizard Jake Shimabukuro is set to return Down Under with his most ambitious recorded effort yet, Grand Ukulele, produced by esteemed visionary producer Alan Parsons, known for his work on such legendary albums as Dark Side of The Moon and Abbey Road.
Having first turned heads on YouTube with his rendition of George Harrison’s ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’, Shimabukuro has gone on to collaborate with the likes of Jimmy Buffett, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, and Bette Midler, while receiving accolades from Eddie Vedder and more.
Jake Shimabukuro Australian Tour Dates
Thursday, 2nd April 2015
Powerhouse, Brisbane
Tickets: Powerhouse
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Wednesday, 5th November 2014
Sunday, 5th April 2015
Lizottes, Newcastle
Tickets: Lizottes
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Wednesday, 5th November 2014
Monday, 6th April 2015
Lizottes, Central Coast
Tickets: Lizottes
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Wednesday, 5th November 2014
Wednesday, 8th April 2015
Lizottes, Dee Why
Tickets: Lizottes
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Wednesday, 5th November 2014
Thursday, 9th April 2015
The Basement, Sydney
Tickets: Bluesfest Touring
Tickets on sale 9am local time Monday, 10th November 2014
Friday, 10th April 2015
The Gov, Adelaide
Tickets: Bluesfest Touring
Tickets on sale 9am AEDT Wednesday, 5th November 2014
Also appearing at Byron Bay Bluesfest 2015
