While everyone is waiting with bated breath to hear what their bigger than big third festival announcement is, the team at Bluesfest have just dropped another fantastic bunch of sideshows on us, making us incredibly excited about Easter already, and it's only October!

Three incredible tours have been announced this afternoon, with a couple of the more legendary names on the bill as well as a couple of the most exciting younger artists in the world of blues, funk and soul announcing club dates alongside their appearances at the Tyagarah festival.

Rodriguez has always had a very dedicated following in Australia, even when people didn't know whether he was alive or not, and his past few visits to our country have been met with great adoration. He has announced a bunch of dates when he is out here once again and these shows see him hooking up with a few old touring buddies. When Rodriguez visited Australia in 1981, he hit the road with Midnight Oil for what we can only imagine would have been an incredible run of dates. On this tour he will be supported by The Break, the band made up of ex-Oils members and Violent Femmes bassist Brian Ritchie.

The Tedeschi Trucks Band blew minds when they were here in 2011; Derek Trucks proving his insane guitar skills were worth the hype while his missus Susan Tedeschi melted everyone with her own guitar talent and her incredible bluesy voice. They team up with none other than New Orleans modern funk/rock sensations Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, one of the most hardworking and energetic live bands that you are ever likely to see, for shows in Sydney and Melbourne.

Finally, the great Joan Armatrading is just one of those iconic singers who you can't do justice in a mere paragraph. A storied career that has seen her blaze a trail for many women in a similar position to her, but just as importantly, a career that has produced so many amazing songs over the decades she has been recording and performing. You'll be dazzled by her multi-instrumental talents, her brilliant songwriting and simply stunning voice when she hits theatres along the east coast of the country.

Listen to our Bluesfest playlist here!

Rodriguez with The Break

Friday 22 March – The Arts Centre, Hamer Hall, Melbourne
Sunday 24 March – The Gov, Adelaide
Monday 25 March – Enmore Theatre, Sydney                                     
Monday 1 April – The Tivoli, Brisbane

Tedeschi Trucks Band with special guests Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

Tuesday 26 March – Arts Centre, Hamer Hall, Melbourne
Sunday 31 March – Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Joan Armatrading

Saturday 23 March – The Forum, Melbourne
Sunday 24 March – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Monday 25 March – EVAN Theatre, Penrith Panthers, Sydney
Wednesday 27 March – The Tivoli, Brisbane