BEN HARPER AND CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE
ZAC BROWN BAND

MANU CHAO LA VENTURA *SECOND SHOW*

THE MUSIC MAKER BLUES REVUE

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

Peter Noble, Festival Director 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. On Good Friday, Day 2 – Ben Harper will perform solo.

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 we are welcoming 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!

I saw Nicky Bomba’s BUSTAMENTO at the recent Woodford Folk Festival and I tell you what: Nicky had the audience jumping up and down, and doing all sorts of movements – everyone just loved it. So, if you are up for some more dancing and shaking it, then be there for Nicky’s show on Sunday early evening. You can’t sit down for this one.

Of course we had to add more of our own Aussie Talent to the bill as well including last year’s Busking competition winner Brotherfox. Way to go.

The Grammys: There are a total of 17 Grammy Winners performing at this year’s Festival sharing a whopping 67 Grammy’s between them so it’s a new record.

With the upcoming Grammy Awards on Feb 10, more could be added. Bluesfest 2103 Artists like Bonnie Raitt, The Lumineers, Zac Brown and Jimmy Cliff are all up for Grammy’s, so the list may grow!

A special mention has to go to RODRIGUEZ’s documentary ‘Searching for Sugarman’ which has been nominated for an OSCAR in the category of Best Documentary. What a massive honour & recognition and I wish him all the best for the upcoming Academy Awards.

The Pollstar Awards ceremony in LA is just around the corner. I am so thrilled that Bluesfest is nominated for ‘Best International Music Festival’ and we are up against the world’s Best Festivals. It really is the music industries major awards.

And for some final news, ‘The Rhythms Magazine’ Readers Poll has also awarded Bluesfest “Best Australian Festival” for the 18th time. We now have a 15 year straight record; the only year we missed out was in 1997. Thank you everyone who voted for us.

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.

Festival and Camping tickets are on sale through www.bluesfest.com.au or by phoning the office on 02 6685 8310.

FESTIVAL & CAMPING TICKETS UPDATE:

The Bluesfest office reports that tickets are selling fast patrons are urged to lock in their tickets before some days sell out.

ARTIST SCHEDULE: To check out who is performing on which day log on to www.bluesfest.com.au and click on the Playing schedule.

ROBERT PLANT & PAUL SIMON SHOWS: There will be NO extra shows announced in Brisbane or north of Bluesfest. Robert Plant’s performance at Bluesfest on Easter Saturday 30th of March and Paul Simon’s performance on Easter Monday 1st of April will be the only shows north of Byron Bay.

2013 ARTISTS ALREADY ANNOUNCED

PAUL SIMON – ROBERT PLANT

BEN HARPER – SANTANA – IGGY & THE STOOGES

STEVE MILLER BAND – COUNTING CROWS – WILCO

JASON MRAZ – MANU CHAO LA VENTURA

RODRIGUEZ – CHRIS ISAAK – BONNIE RAITT

STATUS QUO

ROGER HODGSON THE LEGENDARY VOICE OF SUPERTRAMP

DROPKICK MURPHYS – 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 – MARK SEYMOUR AND THE UNDERTOW – 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 – CURRENT SWELL – DAMIEN DEMPSEY
TAV FALCO & THE PANTHER BURNS – JD MCPHERSON – BUSBY MAROU

HAT FITZ & CARA – THE SNOWDROPPERS – KING CANNONS – MATT ANDERSEN

SETH LAKEMAN – GREY GHOST – CHRIS SMITHER – SASKWATCH
GO JANE GO FEAT. KIERAN KANE, DAVID FRANCEY AND LUCAS KANE – BEN CAPLAN
MASON RACK BAND – ROUND MOUNTAIN GIRLS – THE MCMENAMINS

THE WILSON PICKERS – WARDS XPRESS – LIL FI & THE DIRTY RASCALS
THE SONGS OF THE HAIGHT ASHBURY STAGE SHOW

ROCKWIZ LIVE

For Festival line up and the latest playing schedule go to www.bluesfest.com.au