Bluesfest announces anniversary lineup

Peter Noble announces the 25th anniversary Bluesfest lineup. Video Sharon Shostak

‘It’s our twenty-fifth birthday!’ Bluesfest director Peter Noble enthused at the announcement of a milestone in Australian and world festival history.

‘We are going to be celebrating this one as never before and will deliver you one hell of a lineup, and mark my words: this is only the beginning!’

And so here are the 2014 acts announced so far: John Mayer, the Dave Matthews Band, John Butler Trio, Erykah Badu, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Iron & Wine, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Devendra Banhart, Morcheeba, Gary Clark Jr, KT Tunstall, Allen Stone and Valerie June.

‘John Mayer is finally back after seven years to play at Bluesfest again, says Noble. ‘When it comes to guitar he is undoubtedly to me the most talented of all performing today, simply untouchable.

‘I predict his new album Paradise Valley, released last week, is going to be at the top of the charts worldwide this week.

‘This is such a coup for us, and I am so proud to be presenting John on our big celebration year. We are not stopping there – I have attempted to bring back the Dave Matthews Band every year since they last played Bluesfest in 2005.

‘They are one of the top-grossing, most in-demand bands in the world – up there with the best of the best – and finally they are coming back to Bluesfest, for not one, but two, complete performances.

‘This is going to be magical and unmissable. I know their fans will be celebrating, and flying in, from all over the world for these incredibly special performances.’

Notching up 25 years of world-class music in 2014, the Bluesfest five-day festival will be held over the Easter long weekend, April 17–21, at  the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, north of Byron Bay.

For more visit www.bluesfest.com.au. Single-day tickets go on sale with first announcement.