Yesterday Bluesfest Byron Bay revealed its third round of artists to perform at its 25th Anniversary for 2014.
The latest announcement welcomes Bluesfest icon headliner Jack Johnson back to its main stage. Jack’s fanbase reaches from young to old and he truly represents what Bluesfest is all about. He is not just an all-time favourite, who makes the top-three list of ‘most sought-after Bluesfest artist’ each year; Jack Johnson is also synonymous with Bluesfest, as well as being a very gifted performer and a great person.
Jack Johnson’s new album From Here To Now To You is receiving worldwide accolades. It is his third number-one album in a row in the Billboard charts in the US.
Also on the forefront of this announcement is the legendary Elvis Costello, who made his Bluesfest debut with two roof-raising performances with The Imposters in 2011. Elvis Costello will be bringing The Imposters once again to Bluesfest’s 25th Anniversary celebrations.
First-ever Bluesfest performances, which have been anticipated by many, include renowned British folk-rock solo artist Passenger. His song Let Her Go is approaching seven-times platinum status in Australia and is a number-one chart-topper in 16 countries including Australia – not to mention the 110 million+ views of the clip on YouTube. His album All The Little Lights is nearing double platinum status on our shores, as well as in Canada and the UK. Passenger has parked himself at the top of the charts all year, as well as reaching that status all over the world.
Jack Johnson and Passenger will be both performing exclusively at Bluesfest 25 off the back of Jack Johnson’s adding shows to his almost sold-out Australian tour set for December this year and Passenger’s selling out his theatre run also in December this year.
RocKwiz Live, the hugely popular TV series, is coming back for some juicy Bluesfest entertainment. After the incredible success of their 2013 debut season opener, RocKwiz Live will be shooting their 2014 season opening program at Bluesfest. Here’s another fantastic opportunity for all Bluesfest fans to see themselves, as well as their favourite artists, on television. Enjoy the sassy and seductive Julia Zemiro at her comedic best. Bluesfest director Peter Noble may well take part in another serious outrageous interchange on stage again. He asked her out on a date this past Bluesfest… what a dirty old man.
Also announced, is the return of the big hit of Bluesfest 2013 – American rock band Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, who will have the audience eating out of the palm of their hands once again – and how could we not bring her back? After her blistering debut Grace blew everyone away with her fine musicianship, incredible voice, great band and gritty rocking blues songs. Plus she is not hard on the eyes – what a winning package.
It does not stop here: Australia’s much-loved and award-winning queen of country singer Kasey Chambers, whose career spans many Bluesfest years, is also returning to the Bluesfest stage and is welcomed with open arms. In 1999 Kasey first performed solo on the small stage at Bluesfest and only one year later she was headlining the Bluesfest main stage with her incredible No. 1 album The Captain, propelling her to the forefront of Australia’s most popular musicians. Kasey’s playing at Bluesfest 25 will mark her ninth performance overall. That’s an extra reason to celebrate!
Also added to the growing Bluesfest lineup is Belgian-American multi-instrumentalist Trixie Whitley; the incredibly charismatic The Soul Rebels, who will be bringing their blistering brass-funk all the way from New Orleans; and the nine-piece soul band from Melbourne, Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes.
The first two announcements included musical giants John Mayer, The Dave Matthews Band, The Doobie Brothers, Aaron Neville, Erykah Badu, Gregg Allman, Boz Scaggs and many more.
Bluesfest has established a reputation of increasing the strength of its lineup with each announcement by releasing more and more headliners each time and creating an ongoing momentum.
The 25th Anniversary is shaping up to be an exceptional occasion with more headline announcements scheduled in the next few weeks.
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