Bluesfest 2025: Missy Higgins, George Thorogood & The Destroyers Lead Third Artist Announcement

Bluesfest Byron Bay has returned with its third artist announcement ahead of its Easter 2025 run date.

Set to be the final Bluesfest, Missy Higgins leads a new batch of artists joining Crowded House, Gary Clark Jr, Allison Russell, Brad Cox, WILSN, Kasey Chambers, The Cat Empire, and many more.

The Scar singer isn’t the only one joining the line-up. George Thorogood & The Destroyers (who will tour Australia with ZZ Top next year) and Rodrigo y Gabriela (who will also tour Australia next year) are hitting Bluesfest stages, as will Nahko, BJ The Chicago Kid, Melody Angel (festival exclusive), and Don West.

The latest line-up of artists playing at Bluesfest showcases the festival’s penchant for showcasing a dynamic blend of blues, roots, soul, and pop artists from Australia and around the globe.

Bluesfest organisers unveiled the first artist announcement for their final event in August. The second announcement, featuring all Australian artists, dropped in September.

In an open letter, the Director of Bluesfest, Peter Noble, told punters that the festival is “worth fighting for.”

Noble said, “I want to clarify that it was never my intention to end Bluesfest. I have always believed in its future, and I still do. But the current circumstances make it impossible to continue the festival in its current form.

“That said, I firmly believe Bluesfest is something worth preserving – not just for today’s music lovers, but for future generations, including those who haven’t even been born yet. The arts, and events like Bluesfest, are worth protecting.”

Noble’s statement arrived a week after Tamara Smith MP, the local member for Ballina, started an E-Petition to save Bluesfest.

Tickets to the 2025 Bluesfest, which will take place from Thursday, 17 April, to Sunday, 20 April, are available now. You can find them here.

BLUESFEST BYRON BAY 2025

THIRD ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT

Missy Higgins

George Thorogood & The Destroyers

Rodrigo y Gabriela

Nahko

BJ The Chicago Kid

Melody Angel EXCLUSIVE

Don West

SECOND ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT – THE ALL AUSTRALIAN ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT

Hilltop Hoods

Xavier Rudd • John Butler • The Cat Empire

Kasey Chambers • Melbourne Ska Orchestra 

C.W. Stoneking • Budjerah

Lachy Doley Group • Ash Grunwald

Kim Churchill • Miss Kaninna

The Beards • Velvet Trip • FOOLS

ROSHANI • Sweet Talk

The Memphis Three

Feat. Fiona Boyes, Jimi Hocking & Frank Sultana

FIRST ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT 

Crowded House

Vance Joy • Ocean Alley • Tones & I

Gary Clark Jr • Rag'n'Bone Man

RY X • Allison Russell • Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram

Brad Cox • Here Come The Mummies EXCLUSIVE

The California Honeydrops EXCLUSIVE • Marc Broussard • Pierce Brothers

Taj Farrant EXCLUSIVE • Fanny Lumsden • 19-Twenty

WILSN • Cimafunk EXCLUSIVE • Neal Francis EXCLUSIVE