Aussie A-Listers Join Bluesfest In Final Line-Up Announcement

Venerated Aussie artists and ampersand enthusiasts Angus & Julia Stone and Boy & Bear have been announced as part of Byron Bay Bluesfest's final line-up additions, along with mischievous Sydneysiders Sticky Fingers.

The news comes amid the revelation that UK singer-songwriter Ben Howard has had to pull out of the festival, rescheduling his planned Aussie tour for six weeks later than expected to enable the inclusion of new musicians and material in his live show.

But, hey — we're getting three extra acts in his absence — four if you include the new Thursday-night show just added to Jurassic 5's Bluesfest itinerary — and they all promise something special: Boy & Bear, for example, have not been seen on Aussie stages since last year's sold-out national tour, so their addition to the bill promises to be a welcome reunion with an old favourite; Sticky Fingers have been selling out venue shows with frightening regularity, so the chaos they're sure to inflict in a festival setting — as anyone who's seen such a show will attest — will be one for the books; and the siblings Stone have been enjoying an undeniable resurgence following their four-year separation, making this year the perfect time to see the duo back in action.

If you're not able to spare the time for the full event, however, it's worth remembering the eye-popping spread of sideshows being staged by the festival to provide fans a more intimate opportunity to get up close and personal with their favourite acts; from Hozier, Hunter Hayes and Fly My Pretties to Donavon Frankenreiter's insane 17-date itinerary, Jurassic 5's solid spread of standalone dates, Counting Crows, Pokey LaFarge and beyond.

Have a gander at your options here.

Bluesfest goes down in Byron Bay over the Easter long weekend — Thursday, 2 April, to Monday, 6 April. For more information, see theGuide, The Music App or our Bluesfest page.