Category Archives: Bluesfest

Bluesfest first line-up announcement for 2020. DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, CROWDED HOUSE, PATTI SMITH and more!

DAVE MATTHEWS BANDCROWDED HOUSE, PATTI SMITH AND HER BAND and many more will ensure our 31st Bluesfest Byron Bay rocks next Easter! The 31st annual Byron Bay Bluesfest is taking place from 9th – 13th April 2020 and is set to be the best festival yet! The first of many line up announcements also includes the legend GEORGE BENSON andBRANDI CARLILE, both making their Bluesfest debuts.

Continue reading Bluesfest first line-up announcement for 2020. DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, CROWDED HOUSE, PATTI SMITH and more!

Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2019

Photographer : Ant Ritz

Featuring (in alphabetic order) : Colin Hay, Danny Spencer, David Gray, Deva Mahal, Fantastic Negrito, Gary Clark Jr., Ian Moss, I’m With Her, Imelda May, Irish Mythen, Jack Johnson, Jack White, The Saboteurs, Julia Stone, Keb Mo, Kurt Vile, Larkin Poe, Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul, ‎Little Georgia, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Mavis Staples, Melody Angel, Miss Velvet and the Blue Wolf, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Ocean Alley, Paul Kelly, Ray Lamontagne, Richard Capton, Ruthie Foster, Samantha Fish, Shakey Graves, Tex Perkins, The Marcus King Band, The War and Treaty, Tommy Emmanuel, Vintage Trouble

Bluesfest Byron Bay 2019
Photographer : Ant Ritz

Click here for more Bluesfest reviews and photos…
Bluesfest : www.bluesfest.com.au

Photographer : Ant Ritz

Continue reading Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2019

Live Review : Little Steven and the Disciples Of Soul at Enmore Theatre, Sydney – 25 April 2019

Little Steven and the Disciples Of Soul at Enmore Theatre, Sydney – 25 April 2019
Review and photos by Peter Coates – www.facebook.com/InsideEdgePhotography

I was probably expecting a more Springsteen-derived set based on my less than comprehensive knowledge of the Little Steven back-catalogue – knowing the songwriting link with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes which also sits within that Jersey Shore guitar-based soulful blues/rock arena.
Continue reading Live Review : Little Steven and the Disciples Of Soul at Enmore Theatre, Sydney – 25 April 2019

Photo Gallery : Little Steven and the Disciples Of Soul at Enmore Theatre, Sydney – 25 April 2019

Photographer: Peter Coates – www.facebook.com/InsideEdgePhotography

Little Steven and the Disciples Of Soul at Enmore Theatre, Sydney – 25 April 2019
Photographer: Peter Coates

Read our live review of the show here…
Live Review : Little Steven and the Disciples Of Soul at Enmore Theatre, Sydney – 25 April 2019

Continue reading Photo Gallery : Little Steven and the Disciples Of Soul at Enmore Theatre, Sydney – 25 April 2019

Live Review : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2019 – Day 5

By Wanda Hill


Photo Credit : Tao Jones

Bluesfest Day 5 – 22 April 2019
www.bluesfest.com.au

The final day of life in a village designed especially for fun looked magical as sun showers and rainbows illuminated the sky in true north coast style. Relaxed patrons roamed the grounds enjoying their last tastes of festival foods and music for the soul. Many of the visiting performers comment in their shows about the blessing of coming to this festival, the great time they have, and the beauty of the land and nearby ocean.
Continue reading Live Review : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2019 – Day 5

Live Review : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2019 – Day 4

By Wanda Hill


Photo credit : Julius C Montes

Bluesfest Day 4 – 21 April 2019
www.bluesfest.com.au

The 30th anniversary of Bluesfest would not be complete without Australia’s most soulful singer songwriter Archie Roach. This afternoon’s Mojo highlight was Archie sharing stories of his life and his ancestor’s lives interwoven between powerfully emotive songs full of well earned wisdom. His beautiful lyrics punctuated by distinctive vocal tones, depth and vibrato that can move even the most stoic man to tears. Time seems to slow down in his presence, plenty of space for contemplation as Archie brings into focus issues such as the fight to protect a Djap Wurrung sacred birthing tree in Victoria currently threatened by highway expansion. His song ‘A child was born here’ perfectly illustrating the importance of birthing trees to Aboriginal people across the country. Such a gift to spend time listening to this great man who demonstrates so well that the greatest strength can be found in gentleness.
Continue reading Live Review : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2019 – Day 4

Live Review : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2019 – Day 3

By Wanda Hill

Bluesfest Day 3 – 20 April 2019
www.bluesfest.com.au

Saturday got of to a great start with Rockwiz in the Jambalaya where hopeful players were spilling out the sides of the venue. After the quiz contestants were chosen the show got underway with an endless stream of guests including Ian Moss and Sarah McLeod arriving to play a song and join in with the teams. First guest for the day was Casey Donovan performing a cover of Queen’s ‘Don’t stop me now’ that Freddy Mercury would have been extremely proud of. Julia Zemiro hosted a witty and fun afternoon, artfully mixing music and politics making sure everyone was entertained and laughing. Turn up early for your chance to be a contestant when Rockwiz returns Sunday 1pm at Jambalaya.
Continue reading Live Review : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2019 – Day 3

Live Review : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2019 – Day 2

By Wanda Hill


Photo credit – Evan Malcolm

Bluesfest Day 2 – 19 April 2019
www.bluesfest.com.au

Gazing out over a sea of happy faces all staring at a source of inspiration is one of the highlights of Bluesfest, a religious experience of sorts. Finding togetherness in appreciation for another’s artistic expression is the kind of non denominational worship that can heal old wounds and start new friendships. Whether you like an an artist or not it is hard to ignore the passion, talent and commitment required to build a career around music that lets you travel the world. What greater way to spend a designated holy day than watching people who have risen to god/dess status in our lifetimes and listen to the gifts they bring.
Continue reading Live Review : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2019 – Day 2

Live Review : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2019 – Day 1

By Wanda Hill

Bluesfest Day 1 – 18 April 2019
www.bluesfest.com.au

If you are wondering why people keep coming back to Bluesfest year after year for 30 years, it’s because there is always new and exciting music to discover here. Whether it be seeing an artist for the first time that you have never heard of that has actually been around for decades and is really famous somewhere else, or having the opportunity to see recently emerged artists from right here on your doorstep. Day 1 brought the Bluesfest crowd a taste of what is hot in Australia right now with Dallas Woods, Baker Boy and Ocean Alley all on the menu.
Continue reading Live Review : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2019 – Day 1

Bluesfest 2019 – 2nd Artist Announcement – 19 Artists Added!

19 Artists Added for Bluesfest’s 30th Anniversary Celebration

With 189 days to go until we swing open the gates to the beautiful Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm just outside Byron Bay, we have our second artist announcement for our 30th Anniversary Celebration, taking place over the Easter long weekend (Thursday 18th April to Monday 22nd April 2019). Bluesfest has captured the hearts of music lovers at home and abroad and we can as always, expect some of the best musical acts in the world to touch down on Australian soil for what will definitely be, one to remember!

Continue reading Bluesfest 2019 – 2nd Artist Announcement – 19 Artists Added!

Gomez – Australian headline shows announced for 2018 (Bluesfest Touring)


Bluesfest Touring welcomes Gomez back to Australia for their first tour in 6 years and the 20th anniversary of their breakthrough album ‘Bring It On’ that featured the hits “78 Stone Wobble” and “Get Myself Arrested”. With so much to celebrate their Perth, Sydney and Melbourne sideshows are not to be missed. The group stood apart from other bands in the Brit-Pop era in their attitude and sound. Typical of this was the comment from the panel of judges for the Mercury Music Prize who described the album as “an intriguing blend of swamp blues, bar-room rock and eerie power.”
Continue reading Gomez – Australian headline shows announced for 2018 (Bluesfest Touring)

Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2017 (Wrap up – Part 1)

All photos (except Patti Smith) – Photo credit : Ant Ritz
Patti Smith – Photo credit : Nathan David Kelly

Beth Hart at Bluesfest Byron Bay 2017 Photographer: Ant Ritz
Beth Hart at Bluesfest Byron Bay 2017
Photographer: Ant Ritz

Continue reading Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2017 (Wrap up – Part 1)

Photo Gallery : The Record Company + Little Georgia at Northcote Social Club, Melbourne – 20 April 2017

Photographer: Peter Coates
The Record Company at Northcote Social Club, Melbourne - 20 Apri
Continue reading Photo Gallery : The Record Company + Little Georgia at Northcote Social Club, Melbourne – 20 April 2017