The coronavirus pandemic lead to the heartbreaking cancellation of the 2020 instalment of Bluesfest 2020. This hasn’t deterred Bluesfest director Peter Noble’s spirit, who is determined to celebrate the countries most iconic blues ‘n roots festival in 2021.
“We will find a way to continue and present in 2021. I am a veteran, having been in this incredible industry since the 60s. I have never experienced such a dire situation,” shared Noble.
“As a premier event we need to present another Bluesfest not only for ourselves but also for the entire entertainment industry to see that there will be a brighter day, and that as an industry we will come back from this.”
Noble revealed that the festival is currently in discussions with artists who were booked to play this past April, in the hopes of getting them to return and play next year.
“Whilst we currently don’t know ‘who’ all our headliners will be in 2021, we have received feedback from over 30 artists off this year’s bill confirming they are ready to reschedule for 2021,” Noble revealed. “Their level of support and goodwill is inspiring and I foresee a great event to come.”
Between the support shown in the wake of the bushfire crisis, to the resilience on display during the coronavirus pandemic, it’s never been more evident that the Australian music community is built on a bedrock of community spirit.
Noble believes that “2021 will be the year for everyone who cares about the arts, music and the entire entertainment industry that we all love, to come out and show their support for each other.”
Love Classic Rock?
Get the latest Classic Rock news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
He continued, “We call on our industry, the musicians, the agents and the managers to get in touch with us and help us show the solidarity of strength that we have as a combined force. We are all in this together, and together we will go on and get through these troubled times.”
Despite the devastating impact that coronavirus has had on Bluesfest, they are still offering full refunds to those who had planned to attend the 2020 instalment of the festival.
In the week commencing June 15th, ticket holders will be directly contacted with information pertaining to the refund process.
“Bluesfest will provide refunds to those who select that option, and the process for this will be outlined at that time,” a statement on the website explained. “At this time, we will offer existing ticket holders an exclusive pre-sale offer to purchase early bird tickets for Bluesfest 2021, before they go on-sale to the general public late June.”
Bluesfest has not made any of their employees redundant in the wake of the pandemic; “Bluesfest staff members continue to work, albeit on reduced hours, in order to ensure the future of Bluesfest for when the time comes that the festival is allowed to present again,” he confirmed.
A slew of artists that were slated to play Bluesfest 2020 have already unveiled replacement shows.
Bluesfest Rescheduled Tours 2021
George Benson
Thursday, March 25th, 2021
State Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Friday, March 26th, 2021
State Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Wednesday, March 31st, 2021
Palais Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Thursday, April 1st, 2021
Palais Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets via Bluesfest
Patti Smith and Her Band
Sunday, March 28th, 2021
Palais Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Monday, March 29th, 2021
Palais Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Sunday, April 4th, 2021
Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Monday, April 5th, 2021
Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Wednesday, April 7th, 2021
Town Hall, Christchurch, NZ
Thursday, April 8th, 2021
Town Hall, Auckland, NZ
Tickets via Bluesfest
The Gipsy Kings
Wednesday, March 31st, 2021
State Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Saturday, April 3rd, 2021
Palais Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Wednesday, April 7th, 2021
BCEC, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets via Bluesfest
Tori Kelly
Saturday, April 3rd, 2021
Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Wednesday, April 7th, 2021
Palais Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets via Bluesfest
Amadou & Mariam
Tuesday, April 6th, 2021
(Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre)
Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets via Bluesfest
Buffy Sainte-Marie
Thursday, April 1st, 2021
(Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre)
Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets via Bluesfest
Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles
Wednesday, March 31st, 2021
170 Russell, Melbourne, VIC
Thursday, April 1st, 2021
Factory Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Tickets via Bluesfest
Larkin Poe
Wednesday, April 7th, 2021
Factory Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Thursday, April 8th, 2021
Corner Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets via Bluesfest
LP
Sunday, April 4th, 2021
170 Russell, Melbourne, VIC
Wednesday, April 7th, 2021
Metro Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Tickets via Bluesfest
The Marcus King Band
Monday, April 5th, 2021
Metro Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Wednesday, April 7th, 2021
Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne, VIC
Thursday, April 8th, 2021
Powerstation, Auckland, NZ
Tickets via Bluesfest
Morcheeba
Tuesday, March 30th, 2021
170 Russell, Melbourne, VIC
Thursday, April 1st, 2021
Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Tickets via Bluesfest
The Wailers
Thursday, April 8th, 2021
170 Russell, Melbourne, VIC
Friday, April 9th, 2021
Metro Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Tickets via Bluesfest
Walter Trout
Sunday, March 28th, 2021
Factory Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Monday, March 29th, 2021
Lizotte’s, Newcastle, NSW
Wednesday, March 31st, 2021
Corner Hotel, Melbourne, VIC
Thursday, April 1st, 2021
(Presented by Gerrard Allman Events)
The Gov, Adelaide, SA
Tickets via Bluesfest
The War & Treaty
Thursday, April 8th, 2021
(Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre)
Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne, VIC
Friday, April 9th, 2021
(Presented by Lyrebird City Council)
Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan, VIC
Tickets via Bluesfest
Allen Stone
Dates to be announced soon
Eagles of Death Metal
Dates to follow soon
Bluesfest 2021
Lineup to be announced soon.
Thursday, April 1st – Monday, April 5th, 2021
Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay, NSW
