Category Archives: Bluesfest

BLUESFEST 2014 WRAP UP!

Photo credit Evan Malcolm
Bluesfest 2014 Aerial Shot_photo credit Evan MalcolmIt’s a wrap – Three weeks on and Bluesfest is still on everyone’s lips and very much alive. The much awaited Bluesfest figures, facts and quotes have been released AND the results are not only hugely entertaining but truly fascinating. Kudos to Bluesfest for taking the time (in paradise) to collate them all.

The festival celebrated its 25th Anniversary over the Easter long weekend from 17th to 21st of April with a diverse blend of classic to contemporary artists performing awe-inspiring shows, delicious food and perfect weather with glowing reviews from both media and festival goers alike.
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Live Review | The Wailers + Sly & Robbie & the Taxi Gang with Bitty Mclean @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney | April 19 2014

Review by Wanda Hill
THE WAILERS
The legendary Wailers played a mesmerizing set to a captivated audience at Sydney’s classic venue The Enmore Theatre. Hit song after hit song was played to perfection and delivered with passion, integrity and the magic that has captured fans of Bob Marley and Wailers, all over the world.

Bass player Aston “Family Man” Barrett is the foundation of the band having co-produced and played with Bob Marley and the Wailers throughout the 70’s, writing many of the world famous bass line grooves. Keeping this music alive and spreading the message and wisdom contained within the lyrics remains a strong focus for Aston.
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Live Review | Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014 | Day 3 Wrap

dave matthews_poto by stuart blythe_9006

Day three of Bluesfest.

With the sunshine continuing to beam happily down of the festival and music filling the air, there is no better place to be than Bluesfest.

Some Of Our Day 3 Highlights

Kate Miller-Heidke delighted fans with an early afternoon set. Kate’s stunning looks matched with superbly written songs delivered with pitch perfect vocals made for a great start to the festival day.

Jimmie Vaughan stepped up to the plate and showed us why he’s one of the most respected blues guitarist around. Keeping it clean and clear his guitar spoke volumes and there was nothing you could do but sit back and soak up the sound.

If you wanted to get up and shake it, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 performance at the Mojo stage was the place to be. Kuti along with the band and the dancers took to the stage with their Afrobeat rhythms and it proved impossible not to get on your feet to jump and dance along.

A massive crowd assembled at the Mojo stage to witness John Butler Trio live and they were rewarded with a performance nothing short of amazing. Butler’s guitar work mesmerised throughout the set with clear fan favourites being “Ocean” and “Zebra”.

To say Dave Matthews Band blew the roof of the Mojo stage would be an understatement. Playing for almost three hour takes some doing but the crowd loved every moment. To top things off, Warren Haynes also made an appearance, joining the band on stage and playing a cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower”… magic!

Day 4 headliners include Erykah Babu, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Govt Mule, Jimmie Vaughan, Ozomatli and many more! It’s a huge day and we recommend you get in early to also check out a few of the early performances.

Here’s a few suggestions:
Kim Churchill, C.W Stoneking, Foy Vance, Kasey Chambers, Tim Rogers… just to name a few.
Byron Bay Bluesfest
Day 3 – April 19, 2014

Visit www.bluesfest.com.au for all festival information and updates.

Kate Miller-Heidke_8755_photo by stuart blythe

Live Review | Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014 | Day 2 Wrap

Joss Stone_7966_resize-L

Day two of Bluesfest.

For day 2 of Bluesfest we were blessed with beautiful weather to set the mode of the day.

Once again impressed with the festival layout that offers easy access to all stages, along with plenty of food stalls and bars, plenty of shelter *should you need it*, amenities aplenty. Overall verdict… fantastic!

Some Of Our Day 2 Highlights

Having seen Tijuana Cartel perform a number of times over the past few years, we were eager to arrive early and catch their 12:30pm set at the Mojo stage. Their style of infused Latin American/Afro Cuban break beat + world music was the perfect way to start the festival day and get you up and dancing.
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Live Review | Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014 | Day 1 Wrap

john mayer - photo stuart blythe
This year is the 25th Anniversary of Byron Bay Bluesfest and possibly the biggest Bluesfest held to date. Arriving at the festival you immediately realise the size and scale of the event. Huge camping areas teaming with festival goers, friendly volunteers directing cars to parking areas and spreading an infectious happiness to all that pass by. The music emanating from the venue as you approach the gates. The blended aromas of various cuisines wafting from the food stalls and the overall “feel good” vibe in the air.
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Photo Gallery | Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014

Photographer: Stuart Blythe
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Nahko and Medicine For The People – Australian Tour Announced!

Nahko“I caught Nahko at Michael Franti’s Soulshine Festival in Bali and booked him immediately to come and play Bluesfest this year – WOW – what a talent. If you love Michael get ready, as Nahko has that same incredible vibe. He is going to be HUGE.” Bluesfest Festival Director Peter Noble

Nahko and Medicine For The People will be bringing their unique and powerful meld of World, Folk and Urban Roots to Brisbane, Port Macquarie, Sydney and Melbourne this April.
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Beth Hart announces Sydney and Melbourne shows – April 2014

110**** TOUR UPDATE ****
**** Second Sydney Show Added ***
Powerhouse singer-songwriter Beth Hart’s debut appearance on our shores has been welcomed with overwhelming demand and a second Sydney show has been added at The Basement on Sunday 13th of April. Tickets will be available from 9am Thursday 6th March 2014.

“sounding like Janis Joplin reincarnated with Stevie Nicks’s high-speed vibrato, (Beth) Hart turned the act of singing into an out-of-body experience” – Slant Magazine
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Bluesfest 2014 – 8th Artist Announcement

bluesfest 2014 8thBluesfest Byron Bay, Australia’s multi award winning 5 Day Festival, held over the Easter long weekend (17 – 21st of April) at its home, the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, north of Byron Bay, announces another instalment of exceptional artists who will be performing at Bluesfest for the 25th Anniversary Festival.

The latest announcement includes some of the best Australian Folk, Blues, Reggae, Funk, Soul, Groove, Hip-Hop and Dub artists, not to mention some of Australia’s youngest talent who are making waves internationally and a special reunion of a much loved 90’s era Australian band.

The announcement also takes us across the globe to New Orleans, the Netherlands, South Africa, Israel, Italy and Japan with a special collaboration of musicians who inspire, connect and bring peace to the world through their music.
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Bluesfest 2014 announces a 6th additional major Stage + More Artists added to the line-up!

bluesfest 6 stage
Bluesfest Byron Bay, Australia’s multi award winning 5 Day Festival, held over the Easter long weekend (17 – 21st of April) at its home, the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, north of Byron Bay, announces a sixth additional major stage for its 25th Anniversary – the return of the mighty Juke Joint Stage.

Bluesfest Director Peter Noble says:
“For the first time there will be six major stages at Bluesfest on our 25th Birthday Festival plus our Buskers stage. Of course all the 5 ‘usual suspects’ will be back (from Mojo Stage, Jambalaya, Crossroads, APRA to Cavanbah but we are stoked to be bringing back the much loved and missed Juke Joint Stage.

It has been a few years since Bluesfest presented the legendary Juke Joint Stage.
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Jeff Beck announces Australian Headline shows – April 2014

Jeff BeckLegendary guitarist and songwriter, JEFF BECK, brings his revolutionary musicianship to Australia for headline shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth following a headlining Bluesfest performance.

Heralded as one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time, Jeff Beck began his career in 1966 as lead guitarist for iconic British rock group The Yardbirds, a band responsible for graduating Jeff, Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton into the world of rock’n’roll.

From these early days and throughout his career, Jeff Beck has helped redefine and influence the role of guitar in rock music. Departing The Yardbirds at the height of their success, he embarked on what has been nearly four- decades of musical exploration, leaving a distinctive mark on hard rock, jazz-fusion and the evolution of modern music.
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Bluesfest Byron Bay – Sixth Artist Announcement

bluesfest 6Bluesfest Byron Bay, Australia’s multi award winning 5 Day Festival, held at its permanent home, the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, north of Byron Bay, reveals the 6th round of artists to perform at its 25th Anniversary, over the Easter long weekend 17 – 21 April, 2014 and news from the Bluesfest office is, that this is NOT the final one!

True to Bluesfest form, there will be more announcements before the Easter extravaganza begins in just 3 months’ time!

This latest announcement focuses on our home-grown Australian Stars with a perfect mix of excellent International artists, whilst the 2014 line-up just keeps on growing, bringing out all the magnificent wonders of Bluesfest.
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