Big Freedia Added To Already Talent-packed Bluesfest Shows

New Orleans legend Big Freedia will join some of the world’s most acclaimed artists at Bluesfest shows in Brisbane and Sydney next April.

Last month, Bluesfest Touring confirmed The Soul Rebels, joined by friends Talib Kweli and GZA of Wu-Tang Clan fame, on an incredible double bill alongside multi-Grammy winner Robert Glasper.

The US legend, known as the ‘Queen of Bounce’, will perform with The Soul Rebels, Talib Kweli and GZA at The Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane on April 5 and Enmore Theatre in Sydney on April 6 before playing Bluesfest in Byron Bay and Melbourne, the latter of which was revealed last week.

Most recently, Big Freedia released acclaimed EP Big Diva Energy in 2021 and featured on Beyoncé’s Break My Soul.

TOUR DATES

Wednesday 5th April 2023 – The Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane

Thursday 6th April 2023 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Thursday 6th – Monday 10th April 2023 – Bluesfest, Byron Bay 

Saturday 8th April 2023 – Bluesfest, Melbourne

Tickets and more info here

It’s been a big week for Bluesfest, with Festival Director Peter Noble announcing the beloved celebration of blues and roots music will expand to Melbourne AND Perth in 2023.

Speaking to The Music last week about Bluesfest Melbourne, Noble said: “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do… 23 years later, we’re actually doing it.

“I’ve always wanted to do a downtown and so when the right circumstances came about, I jumped at it. I do remember back to the 2019 Bluesfest, it was the last one we got to do before COVID knocked us for a couple of years, and we sold 27,000 [sideshow] tickets in Melbourne. And I’m going, ‘That’s a festival.’

“I’ve got this sneaking suspicion that people in Melbourne just like to go out and hear music.

“I’m very, very excited – I hope you can hear that – because I’ve been wanting to do this for a very, very long time, but had to find the right partner, which I have in Neil Crocker. You always need the right man on the ground.”

Earlier this month, Bluesfest Byron Bay added music legend Beck to its already-packed line-up.