The announcement follows hot on the heels of the Festival receiving yet another major award, scoring Gold in the ‘Best Major Festival & Events’ category at the NSW Tourism Awards in Sydney.
This latest artist release brings an array of genres with it and there is something in it for everyone: From Latino Rock, Disco, Hip Hop, Reggae, Funk, JAM Band, Alt Country, Sweet Soul Music and Afrobeat to one of the greatest guitar slingers to ever walk a stage – Bluesfest has it ALL covered in this announcement, so get ready to shake your derriere – and let your mind follow – as it now must be becoming obvious to all – THIS WILL BE THE GREATEST BLUESFEST EVER IN BYRON BAY NEXT EASTER – BEING SERVED UP HOT ‘N SPICY – JUST HOW YOU LIKE IT.
The Bluesfest Christmas Announcement includes:
Jeff Beck
KC & The Sunshine Band
Gov’t Mule
WAR
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
Sly & Robbie and the TAXI Gang
Jason Isbell
Chali 2na
Kate Miller-Heidke
Seth Lakeman
Plus many more to be announced
Visit www.bluesfest.com.au
Peter Noble, Festival Director talks about the latest announcement:
For all you festival goers who love to shake, shimmy, bop and groove, this one is for you!!
This is Bluesfest’s biggest dance announcement EVER.
To describe KC and The Sunshine Band, one of the highest selling disco bands ever, the word FUN springs instantly to my mind, followed by party music and pure grooves. These guys just want to get down and make you dance. With such songs as ‘That’s The Way (I Like It)’, ‘Get Down Tonight’, ‘Boogie Shoes’ and ‘(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty’, ‘I’m Your Boogie Man’, ‘Please Don’t Do’, ‘Keep It Comin’ Love’ and so many more. KC & The Sunshine Band, who played a bedrock part in the disco craze of the 70’s are still doing it today!
They will lift the roof off and you will NOT be able to stand still or NOT sing along, no matter what age you are! 100 million record sales can’t be wrong.
Just added to this phenomenal announcement is Nigerian musician Seun Kuti, son of the pioneer of Afrobeat music, the one and only Fela Kuti. Seun Kuti and his late father’s 16-piece band Egypt 80 who will be joining him at Bluesfest are the best live band EVER. Trust me, you will never experience a live show as energetic and entertaining as this one and not to mention the sexiest dancers you have ever seen West of Las Vegas.
WAR is coming to our 25th Anniversary on their first ever Australian tour.
I have to say, it’s a personal dream come true for me.
They are the most important Latino Funk group, standing just in the shadow of Santana and they blend Soul, Latin, Jazz, Blues, and Reggae into a natural funky fusion that has inspired thousands of bands that followed them. Originally led by Eric Burdon, WAR has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide. Their hits ‘The World Is A Ghetto’, ‘Lowrider, ‘Why Can’t We Be Friends’, ’All Day Music’, ‘Slippin’ Into Darkness’, ‘Summer’ are songs everyone loves and which continue to inspire generation after generation of fans.
The greatest rhythm section in music, Jamaica’s Reggae legends Sly & Robbie and The TAXI Gang are coming to Bluesfest and will have you dancing and partying to their signature Reggae sound.
They have appeared on literally tens of thousands of records including everyone from Bob Dylan to Peter Tosh. This show will be one massively entertaining affair!
For all our Hip Hop fans, rapper Chali 2na will be keeping you on your toes. Straight out the ghetto, LA’s favourite hip hop artist has his lyrics locked down big time. You may know him as the showstopping MC for seminal Hip Hop band Jurassic 5.
I know there are thousands of fans out there who will be excited to see the MAN return to Bluesfest- Jeff Beck. His talent is otherworldly and Beck has been hailed in the top 10 guitar players continually over the course of a 5 decade career. Jeff Beck has proven himself to be one of music’s most versatile, skilled and influential guitarists. He has been voted by many as THE greatest guitar player of all time.
Add Southern Blues Rock Jam Band Gov’t Mule featuring Warren Haynes – The Allman Brothers lead guitar slinger to the mix, I believe we have the Jam band component of our 25th Anniversary Festival truly covered.
Just imagine the possibilities of Jams on stage – with Dave Matthews, Grace Potter, John Mayer, Beth Hart, Gary Clark Jr, Larry Graham, John Butler, Gregg Allman, Allen Stone and so many others – ALL performing at the same event!!! Not to mention The Blues Jams likely with Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Charlie Musselwhite, Beth Hart – plus a whole bunch more performing
There’s NEVER been a Bluesfest like this – EVER – for all the possibilities in sitting in.
Then there is Australian sensation Kate Miller-Heidke delivering her breathtaking and pure performance, coming with her new independently released album ‘O’Vertigo’ in tow, as well as Alt Country songwriter Jason Isbell performing with his band The 400 Unit for the first time, after releasing his career defining album ‘Southeastern’ earlier this year. It looks like his stepping away from Drive By Truckers – is taking root – in an incredible Roots Music style.
With the emerging Folk star Seth Lakeman returning, the Bluesfest line-up is starting to take some real shape, but of course, we are not done yet!
More announcements will happen in the new year but please know that the number of Festival and Camping tickets available are reducing each day so don’t miss out on our 25th Anniversary spectacle.
Don’t forget: Bluesfest Tickets make great Christmas presents and all Festival and Camping tickets are on sale through www.bluesfest.com.au or by phoning the friendly Bluesfest team on 02 6685 8310
Artists Announced so far:
Jack Johnson – John Mayer – Dave Matthews Band – Erykah Badu – John Butler Trio – Buddy Guy – Aaron Neville – Passenger – Iron & Wine – Elvis Costello & The Imposters – Michael Franti & Spearhead – India.Arie – Gregg Allman – Boz Scaggs – Doobie Brothers – Dr John & The Nite Trippers Morcheeba – Steve Earle & The Dukes – Kasey Chambers – Devendra BanhartEdward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – The James Cotton Blues Band – Booker T. Jones – The Wailers- Jimmie Vaughan – Gary Clark Jr – Jake Bugg- Suzanne Vega- The Charlie Musselwhite Band -Grace Potter and the Nocturnals – Ozomatli – CW Stoneking – Allen Stone -Larry Graham & Graham Central Station – Eric Bibb – KT Tunstall – Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes – Robben Ford – Grandmothers of Invention -The Magic Band – Beth Hart -North Mississippi Allstars – Walter Trout – Trixie Whitley- The Soul Rebels – Valerie June – Devon Allman – Nikki Hill – The Paladins – Music Maker Foundation Feat. Pat Wilder, Cool John Ferguson, and Little Freddie King- Candye Kane Band Feat. Laura Chavez -Saidah Baba Talibah – RocKwiz Live
Bluesfest is held over the Easter long weekend (17th – 21st of April) at its home, the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, north of Byron Bay and the upcoming 2014 Event will be marking the 25th Silver Anniversary and it’s going to be one big joyous celebration not to be missed.
visit www.bluesfest.com.au
ARTIST BIOs
JEFF BECK
Who is the guitar player’s guitar player, the man that has inspired so many greats, the man regarded by many as the world’s finest guitar player? The answer is Jeff Beck.
Beck burst onto the music scene in 1966 after joining the Yardbirds. At the height of the Yardbirds’ popularity in 1967, Beck left the group and embarked upon an unpredictable journey of musical discovery that has lasted nearly four-decades as an Epic recording artist. During that time, Beck has left his distinctive mark on hard rock, jazz-fusion and modern music history. He has been voted by many as one of the greatest guitar players of all time and it will Jeff’s 2nd visit to Bluesfest after performing his guitar magic at Bluesfest in 2010.
Jeff Beck is performing at Bluesfest on Saturday 19th of April
KC & The Sunshine Band
Shakin’ bootys and selling over 100 million albums since 1973.
With their catalogue of dance anthems including ‘Get Down Tonight’, ‘That’s The Way (I Like It)’, ‘Please Don’t Go’, ‘Keep It Comin’ Love’, ‘Boogie Shoes’, ‘Rock Your Baby’, ‘I’m Your Boogie Man’, ‘ (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty’, KC & The Sunshine Band are still as widely popular today as they were when they first danced into the music scene 40 years ago.
With sales of over 100 million records, nine Grammy nominations, three Grammy Awards and an American Music Award, KC & The Sunshine Band was one of the most progressive bands of the 70’s and is credited with changing the sound of modern pop music! Forty years later, his “Sunshine Sound”, infectious, feel-good happy music still gets audiences worldwide out of their seats and dancing.
What started out as a ‘dream’ is now ‘legend’ and at Bluesfest we simply CANT WAIT for this heavenly experience!
KC & The Sunshine Band are performing at Bluesfest on Monday 21st of April
GOV’T MULE
It’s been too long between Bluesfest sets for GOV’T MULE, The Southern Rock Jam Band with a reputation for making consistently honest, organic and daring music. Head shredder Warren Haynes brought his own band over in 2011 but it was way back in 2000 that ‘The Mule’ last stopped by Bluesfest. Parallel to his nearly two decades in GOV’T MULE, Haynes has been the six-string mainstay and a vocalist for the Allman Brothers Band and The Dead, and performed or recorded with a diverse array of other artists. A definite must see at Bluesfest (after all at least three of the guests on their latest album are also at Bluesfest … so who knows ?! ) – ALL HAIL THE MULE !!
Gov’t Mule is performing at Bluesfest on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th of April
WAR
WAR is not a band. WAR is a Movement! The movement started out in 1969 when Eric Burdon, ex-lead singer of iconic English band The Animals combined with WAR to record and release their first album entitled Eric Burdon Declares WAR it featured the number one single, Spill The Wine which became an immediate worldwide hit and launched the groups career. WAR’s unique mix of Funk, Jazz, R&B and Rock & Roll has sold them more than 50 million records and performing to 1,000,000 people a year. Bluesfest 2014 will mark 45 years since the evolution of WAR begun, join the evolution and share the peace this Bluesfest!
WAR is performing at Bluesfest on Sunday 20th and Monday 21st of April
SEUN KUTI & EGYPT 80
” Best live band ever” PETER NOBLE – BLUESFEST FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
“A relentless Nigerian funkfest” THE AUSTRALIAN
We welcome Seun Kuti , the youngest son of Afrobeat founder Fela Kuti who along with his father’s 16-piece funk fuelled orchestra, Egypt 80, will be bringing the spirit and the beat of Africa to Bluesfest. Unanimously hailed for continuing Fela’s musical legacy, Seun took control of his father’s band Egypt 80 at the age of 14 and has been laying down a potent version of indestructible rhythms ever since. A number of the current members of the Egypt 80 line-up consist of musicians that not only played with Fela, but who took part in Nigeria’s political and social uprising in the early 1980s alongside him.
Fans young and old of the Afrobeat movement will be counting down the days until Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 bring their electrifying live show and spread their poignant musical message at Bluesfest.
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 are performing at Bluesfest on Thursday 17th, Friday 18th and Saturday 19th of April
Sly & Robbie and The TAXI Gang featuring Bitty Mc Lean
‘The Riddim Twins’ bring The Taxi Gang to help Bluesfest celebrate 25 years of Roots, Rock and Reggae!!
Sly Dunbar (drums) and Robbie Shakespeare (bass), the arrangers, producers, songwriters, session musicians and developers of raw talent, are widely acknowledged as ‘the world’s greatest rhythm section’. ‘The Riddim Twins’ have been together for over 35 years….between them they are estimated to have played on or produced over 200,000 recordings. Their list of collaborators is a veritable who’s who – there’s every prominent Jamaican artist from Beenie Man to Sean Paul to Peter Tosh, Black Uhuru, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Ini Kamoze ; and they have played with and produced artists such as Ben Harper, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, The Rolling Stones, Grace Jones, Paul McCartney, Joan Armatrading, Gilberto Gil, Joe Cocker, Matisyahu, Serge Gainsbourg, Simply Red, Michael Franti, Sting, Suggs, No Doubt, Khaled, Mey Vidal, Tricky, Carlos Santana, Sinead O’Connor, and heaps more.
Joining Sly & Robbie and The TAXI Gang is Bitty Mclean who has an astonishing voice and an unnerving ability to pen a great song. A string of UK pop hits, time spent with UB40, an extensive and continuous solo career, all has led him to this point – 2 album collaborations with Sly & Robbie and a seat in The Taxi Gang tour bus.
Bluesfest – get reddy – here come the World of Riddim.
Sly & Robbie and the TAXI Gang are performing at Bluesfest on Sunday 20th and Monday 21st of April
Kate Miller-Heidke
Since her debut album ‘Little Eve’ (2007) went gold and received four ARIA nominations, with a voice which can go from a gentle whisper to operatic force in a matter of moments, Kate Miller- Heidke has become one of the most talked about performers in Australian music. Kate’s loyal following of adoring fans have recently helped her achieve the record for the most successful direct to fan pledge in Australia, achieving her target in only three days for her first independently released album O’Vertigo set to be released in March 14. We can’t wait to have Kate Miller-Heidke warm the hearts of the crowd once again with her quirky blend of Pop, Rock and Alternative music at Bluesfest.
Kate Miller-Heidke is performing at Bluesfest on Saturday 19th of April
Chali 2na
Chali 2na is one versatile fish; MC. Musician. Actor. Painter. Renaissance Man – Chali 2na has done it all. From his days growing up on the hardscrabble streets of Chicago’s south side; to his subsequent explosion onto Los Angeles’ burgeoning Hip-Hop scene; to his tenure as MC for seminal Hip-Hop group Jurassic 5, and his front-man duties for Grammy-Award winners, Ozomatli; Chali 2na epitomizes the portrait of a 21st century artist.
Chali 2na is performing at Bluesfest on Sunday 20th and Monday 21st of April
Jason Isbell
Jason Isbell is a wordsmith of the highest order, at first glance the songs are almost familiar, but listen a little longer you’ll agree these beautifully crafted songs are special, timeless and carefully pulled together arrangements that make for a truly captivating body of work. Jason is returning to Australia and making his Bluesfest debut in 2014 with his full band and a brilliant new album ‘Southeastern’ under his arm.
It has been a dozen years since he showed up at a party and left in the Drive-By Truckers’ van with two travel days to learn their songs. Jason Isbell’s solo career has seemed equally effortless; he has toured Australia in the past with Ryan Adams and Justin Townes Earle and with his fifth album, ‘Southeastern’ he will roll through his catalogue of old and new songs.
This Easter Jason will have you whistling his melodies late into the night and tunes like ‘Songs That She Sang in the Shower’ will come back to you on long drives and in the shade of a lazy afternoon.
Jason Isbell is performing at Bluesfest on Monday 21st of April
Seth Lakeman
Virtuoso fiddler and multi-instrumentalist Seth Lakeman is returning to Bluesfest with his brand new seventh album, Word Of Mouth- set for release in February 2014. Seth has released six albums to date including 2005’s Mercury-nominated Kitty Jay and the gold-selling Freedom Fields he has grown a legion of fans here in Australia over two tours and two years. Credited with bringing his own brand of Indie-Folk to a whole new audience, Seth Lakeman’s talent is undeniable and his charisma and energy will captivate all lovers of heartfelt music.
Seth Lakeman is performing at Bluesfest on Friday 18th of April