It’s a fine blend of very talented up & coming, as well as acclaimed artists and bona fide Legends.
Peter Noble, Festival Director says:
“It’s what thousands of Bluesfest fans wait for every year and we have now gathered into one: A real Blues & Roots artist announcement and what a great one it is.
It’s very classy and I love it.
It is also fantastic to see the female artists taking a stand in this announcement with Joan Armatrading, Wanda Jackson, Mavis Staples, Bettye Lavette, Ruthie Foster, Shawn Colvin – and the incredible all female Gospel Group ‘Sweet Honey in The Rock’ included.
There is no greater star in Reggae Music today than World Music Superstar Jimmy Cliff – his voice is legendary – his career is at a high point with his incredible new album ‘Rebirth’.
We are so proud to present him at Bluesfest for the first time.
Rodriguez has just had a national film release in Australia of the documentary ‘Searching For Sugarman’. He has just sold out two shows in London at the 3,000 capacity venue ‘The Roundhouse’ and a third show is selling fast.
After being the first country in the world to realise his greatness – AND to continue to bring him back for his fans over recent years – it is incredible to see Rodriguez finally getting his dues after working in obscurity for so long – Welcome back Sugarman – Australia has ALWAYS loved you.
And like they say – You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet – we will continue rolling out the announcements over the coming weeks – there are just too many incredible artists playing Bluesfest in Byron Bay at the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm next Easter, to do it all in one announcement.”
SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT – THE BLUES & ROOTS RELEASE includes:
JIMMY CLIFF
JOAN ARMATRADING
RODRIGUEZ
ROBERT CRAY
TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE
THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA – MAVIS STAPLES
ALLEN TOUSSAINT – WANDA JACKSON
FRED WESLEY AND THE NEW JB’S
MICHAEL KIWANUKA – BETTYE LAVETTE
LUKA BLOOM – RUTHIE FOSTER
TONY JOE WHITE – SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK
THE DUKE ROBILLARD BAND
SHAWN COLVIN – SETH LAKEMAN
ARTISTS ALREADY ANNOUNCED:
BEN HARPER – SANTANA
IGGY & THE STOOGES
STEVE MILLER BAND
CHRIS ISAAK – WILCO
BONNIE RAITT
DROPKICK MURPHYS
GLEN HANSARD WITH THE FRAMES
TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND
FRANK TURNER AND THE SLEEPING SOULS
NEWTON FAULKNER – WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE
GRACE POTTER – PLAYING FOR CHANGE – BEN CAPLAN
