Bluesfest is world renowned for having many inimitable artists on the bill, each and every year, who happen to be women.
They come from many genres and musical backgrounds, but what they have in common are their powerful voices and important contributions to music today.
This year Bluesfest presents some of the most exciting women artists on the planet. Bestselling author, performance poet, visual artist and activist whose extraordinary contributions to the artistic realm and human rights have been recognised with an induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Global R&B superstar Mary J Blige will be making her Bluesfest debut this year. This Grammy Award winner, singer/songwriter, actress and philanthropist is a defining voice of the contemporary music era.
Ten-time Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Bonnie Raitt returns to Bluesfest. More than a bestselling artist, respected guitarist, expressive singer and accomplished songwriter, she has become an institution in American music.
Two-time Grammy winner Rickie Lee Jones brings her latest album The Other Side of Desire to Bluesfest, with this confessional singer/songwriter defying convention with her sometimes brazen sexuality and the mixed bag of jazz and rock.
Corinne Bailey Rae is also having her first show at Bluesfest this year. With more than five million albums sold, two-time Grammy winner Bailey Rae was originally the frontwoman of an indie band. Bailey Rae’s music spans electronic, soul and experimental genres.
Beth Hart, will be returning to Bluesfest with her new album Fire On The Floor (2016), the follow-up to Beth’s 2015 release Better Than Home, a critical and commercial smash that topped the iTunes Blues Chart and was crowned #4 Best Blues Album of the Year by Mojo magazine. As one of the most exciting musical talents to come out of the UK, Laura Mvula has been nominated for the Mercury Prize, BBC Sound poll, the BRITs Critics Choice Award, two BRIT Awards in 2014 (British Female Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act); winning an incredible two MOBOs in 2013 (Best Female and Best R&B/Soul).
The classically trained vocalist and soul singer/songwriter who has been compared to the likes of Nina Simone also features at Bluesfest.
The Suffers are Houston’s award-winning 10-piece ensemble who have redefined the sound of Gulf Coast Soul. Featuring the indomitable frontwoman Kam Franklin, they last year brought the band to new heights as they played 150+ shows across North America, visited NPR in Washington, DC, for a Tiny Desk Concert, and made their national television debut on The Late Show with David Letterman. They also join the prestigious blues bill.
Joan Osborne is multi-platinum-selling recording artist and seven-time Grammy nominee. The soulful vocalist and noted song interpreter is a highly sought-after collaborator and guest performer who has performed alongside many notable artists, including Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan and Patti Smith to name a few.
Counting such legendary artists as Etta James and Ray Charles as influences, Osborne is firmly rooted in R&B and soul, as evidenced by the soul covers she has recorded on her albums How Sweet It Is, Breakfast In Bed and Bring It On Home, which garnered a Best Blues Album nomination at the 2013 Grammy Awards. Of course she is best known for the worldwide hit One of Us that was a true anthem of the 90s and still connects with listeners today. She brings her Soul Revue of R&B and Motown to Bluesfest.
Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Melody Angel began playing guitar at the age of thirteen. Even though her mother was barely getting by raising two children alone, she found a way to introduce Melody to her first Fender Stratocaster by buying the guitar out of the window of a pawn shop and since then the girl hasn’t looked back. It’s impossible not to be moved by her powerful words and heartbreaking delivery. Melody Angel is an important voice and one who deserves to be heard around the world. Hear her at Bluesfest.
Bluesfest, 13–17 April. For ticket & program info go to bluesfest.com.au.
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