While Bluesfest’s first artist announcement for 2017 sees a lot of popular favourites coming back for more, Bluesfest virgins Patti Smith and Billy Bragg have signed up for the first time.
Also on the (surprisingly long) first list are exclusive appearances from Buddy Guy, Mavis Staples and Beth Hart, encore performances by Zac Brown Band, The Lumineers, Bonnie Raitt, Jethro Tull and Trombone Shorty plus return appearances by this year’s smash hits St. Paul & The Broken Bones and Irish Mythen.
Bluesfest director Peter Noble said it had been hard work to tie down some of the acts.
‘It has taken over three years to get the very in demand Patti Smith confirmed, a similar time also for Billy Bragg. Patti will perform her acclaimed album Horses in its entirety,’ he said.
He added the festival would ‘pay homage to the current King of the Blues, Buddy Guy who at 80 years old is still delivering incredible live performances.’
His two exclusive plays at Bluesfest will be the only opportunity to see him in Australia.
Mr Noble said the same went for Mavis Staples, ‘who we are paying our huge respect to, over four exclusive performances. We love Mavis and so does her adoring audience.’
‘To have the Zac Brown Band, The Lumineers, Laura Mvula, Andrew Bird, Turin Brakes, St. Paul & The Broken Bones and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue within one announcement, would be enough for many contemporary music festivals and would comprise their entire event.
‘For us, we are only getting started,’ he said.
In November of 1975, Patti Smith and her band recorded her debut album Horses at the famous Electric Lady Studios in New York City. An album that has come to be regarded as a seminal and landmark recording, that continues to have resonance and relevance for succeeding generations of musicians and artists. Smith will honour the longevity and lasting influence of Horses with a special Bluesfest show centered around the album.
Three-time Grammy winners and multi-platinum artists Zac Brown Band are returning to the festival after making a momentous impression at Bluesfest 2015. Their latest platinum-certified album JEKYLL + HYDE, marks the band’s third consecutive #1 debut on the Billboard 200 chart.
Billy Bragg has been a fearless recording artist, tireless live performer and peerless political campaigner for over 30 years. Billy Bragg has collaborated with Wilco, Natalie Merchant and more recently Joe Henry on their new album Shine a Light.
