Matt Corby, Tim Rogers & Skunkhour Added To Bluesfest

26 February 2014 | 10:00 am | Dan Condon

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Another Bluesfest announcement – their eighth – has come through, this time with a whole series of Australian acts, some of whom we actually haven't seen perform at the festival before. This will no doubt mean it's a great opportunity to find some great new music, or just be a great chance to see some acts you've loved for years in a different setting.

The announcement features:

Matt Corby, Tim Rogers, Foy Vance, Kim Churchill, Skunkhour, Saskwatch, Dubmarine, Watussi, Tijuana Cartel, Lime Cordiale and Playing for Change.

The bill now sounds like this:

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Here are some words on the new announcements:

Matt Corby:

One of Australia's most treasured young artists, this singer-songwriter has shirked the Australian Idol tag and gone on to become a credible singer-songwriter in his own right. A multi-award winning artist, Matt Corby commands a huge audience of young and old alike and he'll draw plenty with his oh-so-hip alt-folk style at Bluesfest.

Tim Rogers:

A bona fide Aussie rock'n'roll legend, a man who's so freakishly talented a songwriter that it just doesn't seem fair, an artist who can straddle all manner of disparate genres and easily get away with it. Tim Rogers has never played Bluesfest before, which is something of a travesty, but we're sure he'll make up for lost time with a very special showing at the 2014 instalment.

Playing For Change:

A hit at last year's festival, Playing For Change brings together some of the best street musicians from all around the world, makes for some pretty incredible music and raises money and awareness for all manner of social issues that simply must not be ignored. Most importantly, the initiative connects the world through music, something we can all get behind, so you can pretty much guarantee you're gonna feel pretty good when you see them at their second Bluesfest running this Easter.

Foy Vance:

Okay we know his name sounds a little like a recent Aussie Hottest 100 winner, but Foy Vance is his own man. The Irish singer-songwriter released Joy Of Nothing, his second album, last year, and it has struck a chord with plenty of those who like slick and sweet downbeat folk music. If he plays his cards right, he could be huge – he's got that kind of style that could so easily see him blow up – so ensure you get along to see him at Bluesfest.

Kim Churchill:

We talk a lot about artists who have a certain affinity with Bluesfest, but none of them can profess to being as interconnected with this festival than the hardworking Kim Churchill. Initially unearthed at the Bluesfest Byron Buskers competition back in 2009, the young singer-songwriter has played the event a few times – even flying in from the US for this one show on one occasion – and will showcase plenty of material from his forthcoming new LP when he returns to the event in 2014.

Skunkhour:

You may not have heard the name Skunkhour for a few years; they did break up back in 2001, but have recently reformed to play the odd show here and there. Now they ramp that up with a special appearance at Bluesfest, bringing their hip hop, dub, rock, soul and everything else to the Northern New South Wales coast for what could well be their biggest performance in some time.

Saskwatch:

Melbourne soul is still on fire and Saskwatch are still one of the bands who are keeping that flame burning so brightly. While the band are still riding high on the back of their very well-received debut, they do have a new album on the way real soon, with Nose Dive due for a release right around Bluesfest time. You can be amongst the first to hear these new tracks live when they showcase them at Bluesfest, but rest assured the (not so) old favourites will be there as well.

Dubmarine:

Brisbane heavy dub, electro-rockers Dubmarine have proven the quality of their live show at Bluesfest in the past and will do it again in 2014. The band released their Laser Sound Beam album last year and, if you've had a listen to it, you'll realise that this is the kinda shit you're really going to want to see live. Their hugely energetic performance will perk up the weariest of Bluesfest attendees in 2014.

Watussi:

Afro Colombian Roots Rockers Watussi make their return to the Byron stage in 2014, with their Latin influence rock music no doubt set to make another impact on those who see them. The eight-piece Sydney act are hugely energetic and wonderfully exotic, and given Bluesfest are the only shows they have on their schedule for 2014 at this stage, you'd be crazy if you were a fan to not join this party!

Tijuana Cartel:

Gold Coast live electro act Tijuana Cartel do huge business around the Byron area, they are so well-loved in their almost-homeland, which makes them a pretty perfect choice to play the Byron Bay Bluesfest yet again in 2014. Another act that'll have you and dancing in no time flat, these guys blend all manner of styles to end up where they do musically.

Lime Cordiale:

This indie quartet will be shopping their new EP and effervescent live show to the US industry and audiences when they make a trip to SxSW in a couple of weeks' time, before coming back to show Bluesfest what Lime Cordiale is all about. They've been championed by the legendary Michael Chugg, recorded their new EP Falling Up The Stairs with the excellent Daniel Denholm and have been playing every show they can get their hands on, they now invade Bluesfest to try and win even more fans this Easter.

The dates for Bluesfest are below; we'll update the daily schedule shortly. Tickets are apparently 84 percent sold out, so get your arse into gear if you want to go; they're available at the Bluesfest website.