Caloundra Music Fest: Boy & Bear, Ivan Neville, The Return Of Gotye’s The Basics

The Caloundra Music Festival has, over the past few years, cemented its reputation as one of Southeast Queensland's hottest tickets. So hot, in fact, that it has now branched out to become a mammoth four day event, thanks to the shifted public holiday in Queensland this October.

The (almost) first names have been announced this morning, with a rather diverse range of acts joining the already leaked Xavier Rudd and Donavon Frankenreiter.

Boy & Bear have just given us the first taste of their new LP and it has very excited about what these boys have in the pipeline with their second album, due later this year.

They refer to themselves as “Gotye and two pretty cool guys”, but fans of the group will agree that The Basics are far more than that. Yes, it may be Gotye's “other band”, but they have more than considerable pop chops as a trio as well.

The first ever visit from the New Orleans funk powerhouse Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk will have everyone dancing like mad, we've got no doubt. Son of Aaron Neville, nephew of the Neville Brothers and great musician and bandleader in his own right, Ivan Neville is not to be missed. Also from the US comes the rootsy gospel brilliance of The Holmes Brothers, who play Caloundra for the first time.

In what has come to be considered one of modern music's great stories, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars formed in a West African refugee camp, but have gone on to perform alongside some of the world's biggest acts on some of the world's biggest stages. Their three exclusive performances at CMF will be nothing short of uplifting.

Speaking of uplifting; Blue King Brown also bring their infectious energy to Caloundra this year, preaching a positive message with their stunning sounds, while kiwi masters Katchafire have plenty of good vibes to bring as well.

A huge contingent of Aussie legends appear on the bill for the 2013 event; Russell Morris continues his mammoth year with an appearance at the event, The Screaming Jets get back together for an all too rare showing, while on the Monday of the event punters can get amongst the Time of Our Lives show, featuring Joe Camilleri, James Reyne, Ross Wilson and Daryl Braithwaite.

Local acts Kindread, Soula and The Floating Bridges round out the massive announcement.

The festival happens from Friday 4 October to Monday 7 and tickets are already available through the festival's website right now.