Bluesfest Announces Massive 2023 Line-up
"Bluesfest can be a life-changing experience."
(Pic by Lachlan Douglas)
Bluesfest is back for 2023 and next year will be one of its biggest yet, with the festival bringing back international artists for the first time since 2019.
The line-up boasts a whopping 40+ artists in the first announcement, with more to come as we draw closer to April.
Today's reveal includes a range of incredible country, blues, rock and folk artists, such as Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples, Lucinda Williams, Jackson Browne, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Gang Of Youths and more!
On the event, Festival Director Peter Nobel stated: "Whilst there are still plenty of Aussie artists listed in this first and upcoming announcements it is wonderful to once again in 2023, after four long years be able to bring back some of the greatest blues, roots, soul, rock, hip hop, R&B, world and Americana artists (and so much more) back to our shores after so long. As well as, of course, the stars of tomorrow.
"A five-day season ticket at Bluesfest can be a life changing experience, and I promise you I will do my utmost best to present the greatest gathering of artists I can for our 34th Annual Bluesfest at Byron Events Farm over the Easter Long Weekend from April 6 - 10 next year.
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"To all Bluesfest fans, artists, suppliers, contractors, volunteers and to my dedicated team - thank you so much for your belief and your support. Together we’ve endured a few hard years. It’s time to get excited... time to come out and play, and to enjoy an experience like no other."
BLUESFEST FIRST LINE-UP RELEASE
IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER
19-TWENTY | THE BARNESTORMERS | BETH HART [EXCLUSIVE] | THE BLACK SORROWS
BONNIE RAITT | BUDDY GUY | THE CAT EMPIRE | CHAIN
CHRISTONE 'KINGFISH' INGRAM | ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS | ERIC GALES [EXCLUSIVE]
FEMI KUTI & THE POSITIVE FORCE | GANG OF YOUTHS | GREENSKY BLUEGRASS [EXCLUSIVE]
JACKSON BROWNE | JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT | JOE BONAMASSA [EXCLUSIVE]
JOE CAMILLERI PRESENTS A STAR-STUDDED TRIBUTE TO THE GREATS OF THE BLUES
JON STEVENS | KALEO [EXCLUSIVE] | KEB' MO' | KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD
LACHY DOLEY AND THE HORNS OF CONVICTION | LARKIN POE
LP | LUCINDA WILLIAMS | MARCUS KING
MAVIS STAPLES | MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD | NIKKI HILL [EXCLUSIVE]
ROBERT GLASPER | ROCKWIZ LIVE
THE SOUL REBELS & FRIENDS WITH SPECIAL GUESTS TALIB KWELI • GZA • BIG FREEDIA
SOUTHERN AVENUE [EXCLUSIVE] | SPINIFEX GUM FEAT. MARLIYA
STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES | TASH SULTANA | XAVIER RUDD
The festival will take place on the Byron Events Farm from Thursday the 6th to Monday 10th of April 2023, with a range of different ticketing and camping options for every type of event goer.
VIP and five-day ticket prices will remain the same, despite a significant increase in costs associated with bringing international artists to Australia.
On passes, Noble added: "For those of you who’d prefer to ‘day trip’ or purchase a 3-day ‘long weekend’ ticket, we are currently working on scheduling the artists’ play dates, and we will be releasing these, as well as the 1 & 3-day tickets soon. Watch this space! It may just be a few short weeks away…"
$500,000 has also been invested in upgrading and waterproofing the site, with the team behind Bluesfest promising that they are doing their utmost to prevent any cancellation and "are currently looking at every single aspect of the Bluesfest experience to ensure it's of the highest quality possible".
You can purchase VIP, 5-day and camping tickets here.
Last month, it was revealed that the festival’s glorious return this past April provided a $272 million boost to Australia's gross regional product.
Featuring the likes of Crowded House, Paul Kelly, Midnight Oil, Amy Shark, Baker Boy, The Living End and stacks more, it was the first full five-day event for Bluesfest, usually held annually over the Easter Long Weekend, since 2019 and drew a crowd of over 48,000 people, a near 30% increase on the 2019 festival figures.
“It was hard work - but the Bluesfest team, God bless them, pulled through,” Noble said at the time. “The music was brilliant and the vibe was electric!”
Only a couple of weeks ago Bluesfest Touring announced two massive tours for April 2023, Bonnie Raitt, joined by special guests Mavis Staples, and Marcus King.
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