Music innovator Andrew Bird began to play the violin at age four, learning to play Bach and Mozart by ear as if they were folk tunes. The singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist will be returning to Australia off the back of his most recent release Are You Serious (2016) featuring contributions from Fiona Apple and Blake Mills. Classically trained, Andrew Bird is known to attract adoring fans who connect with his personal and relatable lyrics, expect to hear a mass whistle-along at his exclusive Australian performances.
Continue reading Andrew Bird – Bluesfest 2017 Sideshows Announced!
Tag Archives: bluesfest
Bluesfest Byron Bay 2017 – 1st Artist Lineup Announced
The 28th Annual Bluesfest to be held over the Easter long weekend in Byron Bay, Thursday 13th to Monday 17th April 2017, is officially ringing in its new season with the first release of awe-inspiring artists. The first artist announcement features Bluesfest debuts from iconic artists that have been many years in the making, Bluesfest exclusive performances, and the return of some of the festivals most requested artists.
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The Cat Empire Australian – ‘Rising With The Sun’ Tour Announcement
The Cat Empire announce the ‘Rising With The Sun Global Tour’ with shows in Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra, Far North Qld, and of course their home town of Melbourne. These shows (many of them suitable for all ages) join the already announced Western Australian dates in March and performances at Womadelaide and BluesFest in Byron Bay, with more shows in QLD and NSW to be announced soon.
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Live Review + Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2016 – Day Five
Review By Wanda Hill
Photos by Stuart Blythe
It was an emotional end to Bluesfest last night witnessing Brian Wilson perform Pet Sounds with original Beach Boys member Al Jardine and long term member Blondie Chaplin accompanied by a mini orchestra including string, woodwind and brass sections as well as drums, percussion, guitars, bass and support singer. This was part of a world tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of Rolling Stone’s declared second greatest album of all time and will most likely be Brian Wilson’s last trip to Australia. Hearing the historically important songs of the Beach Boys, live from the creators mouth was a surprisingly special experience considering that I have never particularly been a Beach Boys fan. Realising the place in history of these songs and the way they continue to influence several generations was deeply moving. The world the Beach Boys were singing about in the 60’s seems so innocent compared to the world we live in today. Brian Wilson was not looking his best but still managed to sing songs including Fun Fun Fun, Good Vibrations, Help Me Rhonda and Wouldn’t it be Nice with a bit of support from Matt Jardine for the sections that were no longer in his vocal range. They created a joyous atmosphere that was so infectious… maybe I’m a Beach Boys fan now just in time before this era sadly comes to and end.
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Live Review + Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2016 – Day Four
Review By Wanda Hill
Photos by Stuart Blythe
Shooglenifty were a great fresh way to start Bluesfest 2016 Day 4. Their celtic flavours are not often heard at Bluesfest. A great contrast and way to refresh the ears, kind of like sniffing a coffee bean in between wine tasting. With a fiddle, banjo, mandolin, drums, guitar and bass these guys from Scotland had the audience experimenting with their best River Dance impersonations and moving in energetic ways that are not your usual Bluesfest hip swinging standard. With beautiful tunes, jigs and reels that branched out to sound almost middle eastern and esoteric at times, this band can really get you dancing. Violinist Angus Grant kept the focus sharply on the music declaring ‘we only have an hour, so we are going to dispense with the hysterical banter that goes on between songs’. See Shooglenifty perform today at the Juke Joint 4:15pm.
Continue reading Live Review + Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2016 – Day Four
Live Review + Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2016 – Day Three
Review By Wanda Hill
Photos by Stuart Blythe
Day three was all about soaking up epic saxophonist Kamasi Washington with his band from Los Angeles during their last Australian show for 2016. To see a jazz/funk band of this quality and diversity in Australia is a real treat and must be embraced if you like this genre. Each incredible musician on tour with Kamasi was given plenty of stage time to showcase their unique contribution and own original material with respectful introductions from Kamasi explaining how they met. It was a real neighbourhood affair with childhood friends and Kamasi’s father all on stage. Some have been friends before they had even picked up an instrument. The arrangements were intricate, full of detail, embracing difficult time signatures, highlighting the fine pedigree of these musicians who mix with jazz royalty back in their homeland.
Continue reading Live Review + Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2016 – Day Three
Live Review + Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2016 – Day Two
Review By Wanda Hill
Photos by Stuart Blythe
Wondering around the Bluesfest site during the early afternoon on day 2, I could hear a beautiful familiar voice rising over the cacophony of sounds emanating from multiple tents. Following the voice lead me to the Crossroads stage to find Djakapurra from Bangarra singing with East Journey, an amazing band from North East Arnhem Land carrying on the tradition of Yothu Yindi. They performed new original songs that are bound to end up in the charts as well as performing Yothu Yindi favourites such as Treaty. Lead singer Rrawun Maymuru’s versatility was showcased with vocal styles ranging form traditional ceremonial song poetry, to ballads and full on rock. His song writing is appreciated world wide through songs he has written for Gurrumul. The band and dancers were truly exceptional and will be appearing at the Boomerang Dance Grounds over the next 3 evenings.
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Live Review : Tedeschi Trucks Band at Enmore Theatre, Sydney – March 22, 2016
Review by Natasha Wyborn
Photographer: David Jackson
The harbour city welcomed two of the best to the Enmore Theatre on Tuesday night. Husband and wife rock and blues outfit Susan Tedeschi and slide guitar maestro Derek Trucks took to the Enmore stage for a sold out event. It was the first time the band had visited Australia since 2013 and the fans welcomed them back with open arms! Fans were treated with numbers from the bands back catalogue and their new album ‘Let Me Get By’ which was featured throughout the two hour plus set.
Continue reading Live Review : Tedeschi Trucks Band at Enmore Theatre, Sydney – March 22, 2016
Blackberry Smoke announce headline show in Sydney – March 23, 2016 **Tour Update**
UPDATE – Adam Eckersley Band will be joining Blackberry Smoke at their Sydney Show.
Bluesfest Touring welcomes American Southern Rock/Country band Blackberry Smoke for their Australian touring debut.
Continue reading Blackberry Smoke announce headline show in Sydney – March 23, 2016 **Tour Update**
Eagles Of Death Metal – Australian Headline Shows – March 2016
Secret Sounds are all pumping fists and thrilled to announce that Eagles Of Death Metal will play three special headline dates across Australia this March! Already announced to perform at Bluesfest, EODM’s Easter 2016 visit will also include headline shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.
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2016 BLUESFEST – Additional Artists Announced!
ADDING THE FINAL TOUCHES TO THE POWERFUL BLUESFEST 2016 LINE-UP:
Including The Mick Fleetwood Blues Band, Eagles of Death Metal, Playing For Change Band and more!
Bluesfest, one of the most exceptional and highly awarded music festivals in Australia, is giving the nation a brand new artist announcement, including renowned artists from overseas and our home shores.
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KAMASI WASHINGTON – Australian Headline Shows – March 2016
MONDAY JANUARY 11, 2016 – Celebrated American jazz musician and composer KAMASI WASHINGTON – hailed as “the high priest of sax” – today confirms two headline performances in March.
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Jackson Browne – Australian Shows Announced for 2016
Live Nation and Bluesfest Touring to present Jackson Browne’s first visit to Australia and New Zealand since 2009.
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Janiva Magness – Bluesfest Sideshows Announced – March 2016
Along with her world-class road band, Detroit-born Blues powerhouse Janiva Magness will bring her dynamic live show to Australia in 2016.
With 25 Blues Music Award nominations and seven wins over an illustrious career spanning eleven albums, Janiva is a powerful vocalist with timbre likened to Melissa Etheridge and Bonnie Raitt.
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TOM JONES ANNOUNCES 2016 AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Bluesfest headliner extends his visit, confirming dates across the country next March
Fresh from his announcement as one of the headline acts at Bluesfest 2016, comes the exciting news that the incomparable TOM JONES will extend his Australian visit to take in a further five headline shows.
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