Tag Archives: bluesfest

Interview with Kim Churchill

Interview by Dominic Feain
Photo Credit Sam Atkinson
It’s been an extraordinary few years for Australian singer/songwriter Kim Churchill. Headline tours through Canada, the UK and Europe, signing a worldwide publishing deal with Sony ATV, opened for Billy Bragg, travel adventures and an upcoming Australian tour! Our Dominic Feain chats with Kim Churchill.

G’day Kim, so you’re just back from Canada?

Yeah yeah, I’ve been touring Canada for the last month and a bit.
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Lenny Kravitz to headline opening night of Bluesfest – April 2, 2015

Lenny
Today, Bluesfest, the multi award winning five Day Festival, held annually over the Easter Long weekend just north of Byron Bay (EVENT DATES: Thu 2nd to Mon 6th of April, 2015) delivers to its audience and music lovers across the country a tremendous addition to what is currently being called one of the best festival bills announced anywhere in the world.

Regarded as one of the pre-eminent Rock musicians of our time, Lenny Kravitz will be making his long awaited Bluesfest debut in 2015 as part of his worldwide Strut tour. Lenny Kravitz will be at Bluesfest with his full band – 16 people on stage on the opening night, Thursday 2nd of April. This marks his only show north of Sydney, and only his third Australian tour in over 20 years!
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THE GIPSY KINGS featuring NICOLAS REYES & TONINO BALIARDO – Bluesfest 2015 Sideshows

gypsykingsThe Gipsy Kings are returning to Australia after five long years – on their 25th anniversary tour – an incredible band and still at the top of their game. They have bought us hits such as ‘Djobi Djoba’, ‘Baila Me’, ‘Bamboléo’, ‘Bem Bem Maria’, ‘Volare’, ‘Tu Quieres Volver’,‘A Mi Manera (Comme D’Habitude)’,‘Vamos A Bailar’ and many more.

Melding deep-heated flamenco, rumba, salsa and pop to the tune of 25 million albums sold, the Grammy Award-winning hit-makers behind ‘Bamboléo’ celebrate their 25th anniversary in their very own, blistering tradition – taking audiences back to the south of France on a ride through party-start guitars and booming Spanish vocals on their third tour of Australia in almost three decades of performing.
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Bluesfest 2015 – Third Artist Announcement

bluesfest 3
Bluesfest Byron Bay, the multi award winning 5 Day Festival, held annually over the Easter Long weekend just north of Byron Bay (EVENT DATES: Thu 2nd to Mon 6th of April, 2015) reveals the 3rd medley of phenomenal artists who will be performing at Bluesfest 2015.

Announcement #3 features a strong dose of Blues and Roots and so much more, with an exceptional blend of genres and a selection of artists from around the globe. Artists already announced for the Easter Extravaganza include the first major global performance of the Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals reunion, The Black Keys, Zac Brown Band, Alabama Shakes, Paolo Nutini, David Gray and Ben Howard just to name a few.
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Mariachi El Bronx Announce Bluesfest Sideshows – April 2015

Mariarchi

The Bronx alter ego MARIACHI EL BRONX have announced a string of sideshows to coincide with their much anticipated appearance at Bluesfest in 2015. The Charro suited outfit will be bringing favorites from their first two albums and for the first time brand new music from the latest acclaimed album (III) to life for devoted Australian fans next April.
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Bluesfest 2015 – Second Artist Announcement

bluesfest

Today, Bluesfest Byron Bay, the highly awarded 5 Day Music Festival, held over the 2015 Easter long weekend (EVENT DATES: Thu 2nd to Mon 6th of April, 2015) reveals its 2nd group of outstanding artists to perform at its purpose-built festival & camping site just north of Byron Bay.

The 1st Announcement for the 26th Annual Bluesfest that included THE BLACK KEYS, ZAC BROWN BAND, ALABAMA SHAKES and TRAIN among other greats created a stir AND this 2nd edition proves there is no stopping now, with more headlining announcements on the horizon!
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THE CHRIS ROBINSON BROTHERHOOD – Bluesfest 2015 Sideshows Announced

chrisThe former Black Crowes front-man’s Chris Robinson brings his Brotherhood which “boast a vintage rock vibe that’s at once quirky, trippy, soulful and downright magnetic.”- US Rolling Stone

The Chris Robinson Brotherhood was formed in 2011 and will be bringing their own brand of Rock and Roll, full of grooves Psychedelia and killer vocals on their first Australian tour in 2015.
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TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE – Bluesfest 2015 Sideshows Announced

tromboneNew Orleans based Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue are a hard-edged Funk band that employ Hip-Hop beats, Rock dynamics and improvisation in a Jazz tradition. The band has toured the U.S. and Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan, Russia and Brazil. Trombone Shorty began his career as a bandleader at the tender age of six, and toured internationally for the first time age 12 before joining Lenny Kravitz’s horn section at 19 for a 105-date world tour in 2005/06.
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GEORGE CLINTON & PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC – Bluesfest 2015 Sideshows Announced

georgeThe legendary George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, one of the most important innovators of Funk music alongside James Brown, Sly Stone and the Funky Meters, brings the ‘awe-funk-some’ P-Funk Collective back to Australia & New Zealand next year!

Known globally for his outlandish costume and his multi-coloured dreadlocks as well as his mastery of intergalactic funk, Dr. George Clinton is one of the most sampled musicians on the planet and has worked alongside Tupac, Primal Scream, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Snoop Dog, Outkast, Wu Tang Clan, Carlos Santana, Redman and so many others as collaborator and producer.
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G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE – Bluesfest 2015 Sideshows Announced

g.loveAll the way from Philadelphia USA, the original line up of G. Love & Special Sauce are making their triumphant return! 20 years after the release of their self-titled debut album and 8 years since their last live performance together, the original line up of G. Love & Special Sauce arrive on the back of their 2014 album Sugar, breathing new life into their groove-heavy, Chicago-Blues infused brand of stripped down Rock and Roll. With the influences of Elmore James, Bo Diddley, John Lee Hooker and Lou Reed, the band has stripped themselves back to the old-school air of their first record with a mature and developed instrumentation without losing any of the unique, funky American Blues vibes that were the foundation of the bands success.
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BETH HART – Bluesfest 2015 Sideshows Announced

bethAfter her mind blowing 2014 Australian tour, power house vocalist Beth Hart will be returning to Australian shores to turn the art of singing into an out-of-body experience – she is simply world class and boasts A-list collaborations with the likes of Jeff Beck, Slash, Buddy Guy and Joe Bonamassa.

Beth has ridden incredible highs and heart-breaking lows in the past, but these days she’s reaching new career heights including her nomination for a Blues Music Award in the category: Best Contemporary Blues Female Artist in 2014 and a Grammy nomination with Joe Bonamassa in 2014 for their album Seesaw, which went number 1 on the Billboard Blues Album Chart, as did their most recent release Live In Amsterdam.
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The Black Keys Turn Blue World Tour – Australian Dates Announced

Photo by Danny Clinch

the_black_keys hi res photo by Danny Clinch 3

The Black Keys return to Australia off the back of their successful 8th full-length album Turn Blue.

As part of the Turn Blue World Tour, the band will perform in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide. They will also headline Bluesfest Byron Bay and will be the first artists to play at the inaugural Rolling Green events, from A Day On The Green promoter Roundhouse Entertainment, at wineries in Victoria’s Yarra Valley and the Hunter Valley NSW.
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Bluesfest 2015 – First Line Up Announcement!

bluesfestBluesfest Byron Bay, the multi award winning 5 Day Festival, held annually over the Easter Long weekend just north of Byron Bay (EVENT DATES: Thu 2nd to Mon 6th of April, 2015) has released its first round of artists of what is going to be a series of sensational headlining announcements to be rolled out in the lead up to the 2015 Festival.

Announcement #1 features a beautifully selected choice of artists ranging from International heavyweights, National treasures to returning favourites plus some exceptional artists who will be making their Bluesfest debut in 2015.
The 26th Annual Bluesfest is now truly on its way!
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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 | 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