The third round of Official Bluesfest 2014 Sideshows have been announced.
Following on from once more expanding the 25th Silver Anniversary Edition of the annual award-winning festival, adding the likes of Buddy Guy and Jake Bugg to join the already announced likes of Elvis Costello, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Doobie Brothers, and a list of blues and reggae legends, now arrives another batch of accompanying headline tours.
Following on from Bluesfest 2014 sideshow plans from Erykah Badu, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Jake Bugg, and Devendra Banhart, the Bluesfest Touring season expands once more.
Following on from the first and second batch, now a third instalment of announcements that brings a diverse mix of blues, rock, soul, and established music veterans to audiences beyond Byron Bay.
The new Bluesfest 2014 sideshows include a double-bill featuring Booker T Jones and Valerie June, Suzanne Vega with Seth Lakeman, the North Mississippi Allstars, Robben Ford, Walter Trout, and The Soul Rebels.
Read on for all the artist info, tickets, dates, and venue details on the first official Bluesfest 2014 sideshows.
Booker T Jones & Valerie June Bluesfest 2014 Sideshows
It has taken five years to get one of the founding fathers of funk, Booker T. back to tour. The master of the funky Hammond organ – of ‘Green Onions’ infamy – has recently returned to Stax Records after 40 years, for the release of his latest album Sound The Alarm. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Musicians Hall of Fame inductee and GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award recipient has pushed music’s boundaries, as well as having recorded with the iconic likes of Wilson Pickett, Ray Charles, George Harrison, Sam and Dave, Neil Young, Barbra Streisand and Bob Dylan and not to mention, he features on his special guest Bluesfest Touring artist Valerie June’s latest album released this year.
A Tennessee native, June joins the funk legend for his Melbourne and Sydney sideshows. Delivering a stunningly emotive amalgamation of blues, folk, gospel, soul, and bluegrass, Valerie June falls outside of genre conventions. Her new album,Pushin’ Against A Stone sees her collaborating, writing and producing with Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys & Dr. John), Kevin Augunas (Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Sinéad O’Connor,Florence & The Machine).
The Corner, Melbourne – FRI 25 APRIL 2014
Tickets: bluesfesttouring.com.au 02 6685 8310
The Factory, Sydney- SAT 26 APRIL 2014
Tickets: bluesfesttouring.com.au 02 6685 8310
Suzanne Vega Bluesfest 2014 Sideshows
Leading folk singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega – writer of unforgettable songs such as ‘Luka’, ‘Tom’s Diner’, ‘Marlene On The Wall’, ‘Caramel’, and more – will be performing intimate shows on her national tour. Vega will be accompanied by Irish guitarist Gerry Leonard who has collaborated with the likes of David Bowie and Cyndi Lauper. Since the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, Suzanne Vega has given sold-out concerts and collaborated with Leonard Cohen, The Black Keys, Jerry Garcia, Soul Rebels Brass Band – to name a few – whilst her music has been sampled or covered by the likes of Tupac Shakur, R.E.M., Destiny’s Child, Ludacris and Lil’ Kim.
Virtuoso fiddler and multi-instrumentalist, Seth Lakeman, will join Suzanne Vega as support. His charisma and energy will entrance and enthral his growing army of present-day fans and undoubtedly captivate lovers of heartfelt music with h his seventh album in towWord of Mouth set for release in February 2014.
Astor Theatre, Perth WA – FRI 11 APRIL 2014
Tickets: www.showticketing.com.au or 08 9370 5888
Cairns Civic Theatre, Cairns QLD – SUN 13 APRIL 2014
Tickets: ticketlink.com.au phone 1300 855 835
Recital Centre, Melbourne– SAT 19 APRIL 2014
Tickets: Melbournerecital.com.au 03 969 93333
The Factory, Sydney (with Seth Lakeman) – SUN 20 APRIL 2014
Tickets: Factorytheatre.com.au 02 9550 3666
North Mississippi Allstars Bluesfest 2014 Sideshows
Hailing from Hernando Mississippi at a special time for modern country blues, brothers Luther (guitar, vocals) and Cody Dickinson (drums, vocals) are the true North Mississippi Allstars. The brothers will be bringing their groundbreaking new album with them, World Boogie Is Coming which has been hailed as their best album yet by critics.
Having recently toured extensively with Robert Plant and The Band of Joy, headlined major festivals, and toured internationally as a headliner and with Ian Siegal as part of The Mississippi Mudbloodshave, they have also found a fan in John Butler; “A great band taking roots music to a new place, respecting tradition but at the same time acknowledging all the best that contemporary music has to offer,” says the fellow Bluesfest 2014 artist.
The Corner, Melbourne – SUN 20 APRIL 2014
Tickets: bluesfesttouring.com.au 02 6685 8310
The Basement, Sydney – TUE 22 APRIL 2014
Tickets: bluesfesttouring.com.au 02 6685 8310
Robben Ford & Walter Trout Bluesfest 2014 Sideshows
Avid guitarists and blues purists alike will be pleased to hear Robben Ford, one of the premier electric guitarists today will be presenting one night of guitar-shredding heaven in Sydney and Melbourne with 2013 British Blues Award winner Walter Trout, the great former guitarist with John Mayall and Canned Heat who went solo 20 years ago.
Robben Ford has played with artists as diverse as Joni Mitchell, Miles Davis, George Harrison, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, John Mayall and Greg Allman, proving his reputation amongst his contemporaries as a truly talented and versatile musician. The same can be said for Walter Trout, who’s amassed a thrilling catalogue of 22 solo albums who’s passion and searing licks has seen him play with the best of ’em. This will be a live musical experience not to be missed.
The Factory, Sydney – THURS 17 APRIL 2014
Tickets: bluesfesttouring.com.au 02 6685 8310
The Corner, Melbourne – FRI 18 APRIL 2014
Tickets: bluesfesttouring.com.au 02 6685 8310
The Soul Rebels Bluesfest 2014 Sideshows
Warming up for debut Bluesfest performance, The Soul Rebels present their first ever Australian sideshows in Melbourne and Sydney. “They toured with Metallica, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Green Day and Arcade Fire too. Who said New Orleans brass bands couldn’t be the funkiest hip hop musicians around,” says Bluesfest promoter Peter Noble. The eight piece band have also shared the stage with legendary artists such as The Roots, Bootsy Collins, Robert Plant & Jimmy Page, Counting Crows, Drive By Truckers, James Brown, Roy Hargrove, Allen Toussaint and many more.
Selling out shows throughout the US, The Soul Rebels combine top notch musicianship and songs with grooves that celebrate life in time-honoured New Orleans style. Sydney and Melbourne – get ready, get excited and prepare to get entranced by the contagious grooves of The Soul Rebels!
Recital Centre, Melbourne – TUE 15 APRIL 2014
Tickets: Melbournerecital.com.au 03 969 93333
The Basement, Sydney – WED 16 APRIL 2014
Tickets: bluesfesttouring.com.au 02 6685 8310
Bluesfest 2014 Dates & Tickets
25th Annual Byron Bay Bluesfest
Thursday 17th – Monday 21st April, 2014
All Single Day, Camping, Festival tickets are on sale now through www.bluesfest.com.au and Bluefest office on 02 6685 8310
Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster on www.ticketmaster.com.au
Bluesfest playing schedule is available on www.bluesfest.com.au
