More Big Names Join Bluesfest 2019

Bluesfest are well and truly gearing up to celebrate 30 years in style, today unveiling the next batch of legends gracing the 2019 bill.

The festival’s second artist announcement comes 189 days out from the main event (yes, we’re keeping track), and features Aussie icon Paul Kelly as a headline act alongside 18 other artists, including more exclusives, local favourites and international icons.

Kelly’s appearance will follow on from a whirlwind 12 months, with 2017’s Life Is Fine LP shooting to the top of the Aus charts before he embarked on a run of sold-out shows in support.

Set to go down at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm just outside Bryon Bay across the Easter long weekend (18 – 22 April), next year’s event is another celebration of all things blues, roots, First Nations, R&B, gospel, indie rock and more.

Take Me To Church hitmaker Hozier will also help the festival celebrate three huge decades, joined by English artist David Gray and an exclusive festival performance from Mavis Staples, who recently collaborated with Hozier on single Nina Cried Power.

Staples’ set promises to be one of the weekend’s best, with the Rock’N’Roll Hall Of Famer returning to the festival for the seventh time, performing at Bluesfest only a few months before she celebrates her 80th birthday.

Meanwhile, blues guitar visionary Gary Clark Jr will return to Bluesfest for the third time and multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter Julia Stone treats fans to songs from a new album as well as the classics.

If you needed more reasons to make the trip, next year's festival will also feature exclusive sets from Ruthie Foster, Anderson East, Samantha Fish, The War And Treaty and Deva Mahal.

Here’s the second artist announcement in full, with many more acts to be confirmed in the coming weeks and month:

Paul Kelly, Hozier, David Gray, Julia Stone, Gary Clark Jr, Mavis Staples (exclusive), Flogging Molly, Meshell Ndegeocello, Ruthie Foster (exclusive), Shakey Graves, Anderson East (exclusive), Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real, Samantha Fish (exclusive), The War And Treaty (exclusive), Mojo Juju, Caiti Baker, Deva Mahal (exclusive), Melody Angel, Hussy Hicks

“This truly is an all killer, no filler announcement from top to bottom with many more to come,” Bluesfest director Peter Noble said.

“We are very proud of it.”

The news follows on from the likes of Jack Johnson, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Ray LaMontagne, George Clinton and more being revealed on the first announcement in August.

Tickets are reportedly selling faster than any other Bluesfest to-date, and the latest line-up additions will only add more fuel to the flame, so you might want to head by the festival’s website and grab your passes quick-smart.

Check out theGuide for more details.you