Bluesfest Touring Announce Another Epic Double Bill For Melbourne And Sydney

Michael Franti & Spearhead and Trombone Shorty, with his band Orleans Avenue, are putting on exclusive double-bill shows for two nights in Sydney and Melbourne next year. 

Both acts are performing at Bluesfest next Easter Long Weekend, which takes place from Thursday, 6 to Monday, 10 April 2023.

Franti will also play two gigs in Adelaide and Cairns. Michael Franti touched down in Australia 30 years ago; he first performed at Bluesfest in 2002 and quickly became a festival favourite. 

He has celebrated three Billboard #1 singles with the hits Sound of Sunshine, Say Hey (I Love You), and I Got You. As well as these #1 tunes, Franti has earned three Billboard Top 5 Rock Albums. I Got You featured on NPR's Most Popular Songs Of 2020, with a music video that boasts over 1 million views.

The Grammy-winning phenom Trombone Shorty joins Franti in Sydney and Melbourne with his band Orleans Avenue. Shorty creates art filled with raw power and delivers performances that meld funk, psychedelic rock, soul, and R&B music.

The double bill hits Melbourne on Monday, 3 April, at Forum Theatre and the Enmore Theatre in Sydney on Friday, 7 April. Franti will also appear at Adelaide's The Gov on Wednesday, 5 April, and Cairns' Tanks Art Centre on Thursday, 13 April. Bluesfest attendees can watch Franti on Sunday 9 and Monday 10 April.

"Seeing Michael Franti & Spearhead in concert is something you'll never forget. His conscious, uplifting music fills your soul and makes things better," said Peter Noble OAM, Festival Director of Bluesfest. "Michael and his band are part of the Bluesfest family, and we're so happy to be able to spread the Franti love around Australia with his upcoming tour to Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Cairns."

On Shorty, Noble shared, "Trombone Shorty is nothing short of sensational. To put him in perspective, the New Orleans Jazz Festival is one of the biggest festivals in the world, and Trombone Shorty is now the closing act.

"If there was ever a show that would get you up dancing, this is it!"

MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD AND TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE

TOUR DATES

Monday, 3 April - The Forum, Melbourne (double bill with Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue)

Wednesday, 5 April - The Gov, Adelaide

Friday, 7 April - Enmore Theatre, Sydney (double bill with Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue)

Sunday, 9 April - Bluesfest, Byron Bay

Monday, 10 April - Bluesfest, Byron Bay

Thursday, 13 April - Tanks Art Centre, Cairns

Register for pre-sale and more information here.