Bluesfest 2023 – First Artist Announcement

BLUESFEST 2023 – FIRST ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT
 – OVER 40 ARTISTS WITH MORE TO COME

The 34th Annual Bluesfest’s gates will open for what promises to be the most exciting Bluesfest ever.

Some of the finest contemporary and legendary Blues, Roots, Soul, Rock, Hip Hop, R&B, World and Americana music artists (and more) are confirmed to appear for the first original style Bluesfest since the world’s borders re-opened. 

After a hugely successful 2022, that featured the best of predominantly Australian and NZ artists, it’s time to mix it up again. For the first time since 2019, Bluesfest is free and unencumbered to showcase the finest genres of music from all over the globe.

This is an incredible opening line up – over 40 artists alone in this first announcement – with more to come.

And more good news is that ticket prices, camping and VIP tickets remain the same as 2022’s prices. That’s despite the significant increase in cost of international flights and freight logistics, with artists fees also on the rise. Bluesfest will also invest in upgrading the VIP area to raise the VIP experience to new heights. 

For the campers that seek a ‘class above’ experience you can upgrade to the Rainbow Tipi accommodation this year [with a modest increase in price] as well as experience further improvements with the onsite rental tents.

The 365 days a year site improvement on the Bluesfest property continue… “Since last year we’ve invested over $500k upgrading and waterproofing the Bluesfest site. Both myself and my team are currently looking at every single aspect of the Bluesfest experience to ensure it’s of the highest quality possible” said Peter Noble OAM. 

Today, Bluesfest release 5-day tickets, and VIP tickets at the same 2022 price points. On site camping options also go on sale today at the same prices as 2022 for those who pitch their tents and vans. 

In the coming weeks Bluesfest will release more of the line-up, along with the artist play dates so that both day-trippers and 3-day ticket holders can make an informed choice.

Tickets are available now through Moshtix

Stand by for further announcements on two special satellite events happening in Melbourne and Perth, as well as side shows from some of this amazing line up. 

A word from Festival Director Peter Noble OAM:

“For the first time since 2019, Bluesfest is presenting a fully international festival experience like the legendary ones we did before the COVID-era. 

Whilst there are still plenty of Aussie artists listed in this first and upcoming announcements it is wonderful to once again in 2023, after four long years be able to bring back some of the greatest Blues, Roots, Soul, Rock, Hip Hop, R&B, World and Americana artists (and so much more) back to our shores after so long. As well as, of course, the stars of tomorrow.

We have our largest number of artists ever listed in our first Bluesfest artist announcement… check it out, there’s more than 40 of them. It is such a stunning list for every Bluesfester.

More good news is we’ve made the call to NOT increase our ticket prices. As always there’s a large allocation of tickets so everyone can experience the whole musical enchilada we are proud to be bringing to our shores. 

A five-day season ticket at Bluesfest can be a life changing experience, and I promise you I will do my utmost best to present the greatest gathering of artists I can for our 34th Annual Bluesfest at Byron Events Farm over the Easter Long Weekend from April 6 – 10 next year. 

For those of you who’d prefer to ‘day trip’ or purchase a 3 day ‘long weekend’ ticket, we are currently working on scheduling the artists’ play dates, and we will be releasing these, as well as the 1 & 3-day tickets soon. Watch this space! It may just be a few short weeks away…

To all Bluesfest fans, artists, suppliers, contractors, volunteers and to my dedicated team – thank you so much for your belief and your support. Together we’ve endured a few hard years. It’s time to get excited… time to come out and play, and to enjoy an experience like no other” 

Peter Noble OAM 
Festival Director 
Bluesfest 

Here’s a first taste of artists to come; all 41 of em’ 
[IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER] 

19-TWENTY | THE BARNESTORMERS | BETH HART [EXCLUSIVE] | THE BLACK SORROWS

BONNIE RAITT | BUDDY GUY | THE CAT EMPIRE | CHAIN

CHRISTONE ‘KINGFISH’ INGRAM | ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS | ERIC GALES [EXCLUSIVE]

FEMI KUTI & THE POSITIVE FORCE | GANG OF YOUTHS | GREENSKY BLUEGRASS [EXCLUSIVE]

JACKSON BROWNE | JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT | JOE BONAMASSA [EXCLUSIVE]

JOE CAMILLERI PRESENTS A STAR-STUDDED TRIBUTE TO THE GREATS OF THE BLUES

JON STEVENS | KALEO [EXCLUSIVE] | KEB’ MO’ | KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD

LACHY DOLEY AND THE HORNS OF CONVICTION | LARKIN POE

LP | LUCINDA WILLIAMS | MARCUS KING

MAVIS STAPLES | MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD | NIKKI HILL [EXCLUSIVE]

ROBERT GLASPER | ROCKWIZ LIVE

THE SOUL REBELS & FRIENDS WITH SPECIAL GUESTS TALIB KWELI • GZA • BIG FREEDIA

SOUTHERN AVENUE [EXCLUSIVE] | SPINIFEX GUM FEAT. MARLIYA

STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES | TASH SULTANA | XAVIER RUDD

About Bluesfest Byron Bay

Bluesfest will take place over 5 days from Thursday 6th to Monday 10th April 2023 at the Byron Events Farm, Tyagarah, NSW, AUSTRALIA.

All 5-Day Season tickets, including festival entry, camping & add-ons, parking and VIP are on sale now.

MOSHTIX

Bluesfest is Australia’s most awarded music festival and has been recognised as one of the TOP 10 Festivals of the Decade by industry bible, Pollstar in 2021. From the humble beginnings in 1990 the festival now takes place at the beautiful Byron Events Farm (formerly the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm), regularly attracting an audience of over 100,000. Located just 10 minutes north of Byron Bay, NSW, Australia, Bluesfest is well situated and surrounded by the charming village of Mullumbimby and the beach towns of Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads. Best festival vibes ever!