A stack of Aussie favourites have been announced for Bluesfest 2018, adding to the unbelievably jam-packed line up. There is no doubt that the 2018 festival is shaping up to be one of the most diverse and exciting on record.
Dan Sultan returns with his trademark charisma and Rock hits. Known as one of Australia’s most recognised and prolific songwriters, music lovers have found a home in his ability to bare his longings and wounds, with his rich and soulful voice spilling all sorts of guts and glory over memorable Rock and Blues hooks.
All Our Exes Live in Texas will bring their glorious harmonies to Byron this Easter. They are a fantasy draft of Sydney’s finest singer-songwriters who make music that draws from traditional four-part harmony, creating a new brand of modern folk. They feature on Bluesfest 2018 artist Kesha’s iconic single “Praying”. “Praying” has become a career defining song for Kesha, and has struck a chord, becoming the anthem for the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements around the world.
The originators of Oz-Blues, Chain will celebrate 50 years since forming in the wonderful crazy times of 1968, with 2 shows at Bluesfest in 2018. This landmark occasion will be the cause for much celebration at the festival.
Bluesfest is thrilled to welcome Con Brio back to the festival in 2018. Known for their fiery live shows, Con Brio is a living, evolving testament to the power of soul, fronted by the phenomenal Ziek McCarter, a charismatic, undeniably gifted showman whose stage presence calls to mind the charisma of a young Michael Jackson or James Brown.
The announcement that acclaimed singer/songwriter Mia Dyson is returning to Bluesfest will make her many fans very happy. Dyson is an award-winning guitarist and singer/songwriter, multiple ARIA & APRA award-winning artist and was recently named one of Australia’s top 25 guitarists of all time.
Bluesfest welcomes Shaun Kirk back to Bluesfest in 2018. Hailing from the outer suburbs of Australia’s music capital Melbourne, multi-award winning blues/soul troubadour Kirk has been labelled “One of the finest blues voices this country has ever heard” (Buzz Magazine) and “One of the most explosive solo acts this country has to offer” (Mixdown Magazine).
Bluesfest is excited to welcome Caiti Baker to the festival in 2018. A vocalist and front woman raised on the sounds that birthed popular music she started her career in electro soul act Sietta, leaving to forge her own path in 2014 touring and working with artists including Gurrumul, Pete Murray and A.B Original. She released her debut album ‘ZINC’ on October 6 2017, and followed up with a hugely successful Australian tour. Caiti writes songs about what she knows and feels, sings with her soul and unashamedly performs the hell out of them. But that will all be obvious when you hear her music and watch her perform in Byron Bay over Easter – she will have you either dancing or chilling with a grin on your face.
Steve Smyth is one of those artists who draws you in even before you’ve heard him perform. There seems to be an energy that clings to him which reaps mystery and a deep, honest passion. When you see him perform you feel like he’s conveying a million conversations, a million experiences filled with heartache, love, excitement. He delivers his songs with pure honesty and an unconscious bliss. Bluesfest is proud to welcome him back again in 2018.
The legends who brought you Mental As Anything are returning to Bluesfest with their band Dog Trumpet. Dog Trumpet is a family affair spearheaded by brothers Peter O’Doherty and Reg Mombassa, former founding members of iconic Australian Aria award winning and Hall of Fame band Mental As Anything; who had over 20 top 40 hits in Australia. Their sets at Bluesfest on Sunday and Monday will be celebrations of everything great about Aussie music!
Bluesfest get ready to swoon to the smooth sounds of The Hanlon Brothers in 2018. The Hanlon Brothers masterfully fuse original Hip-Hop, R’n’B, Soul and Jazz to create a signature sound that combined with live lyrical improvisation, world-class showmanship and flawless technique has made them a live act that will blow your socks off.
Organisers warn fans not to wait to buy their tickets as they are selling fast and fans could miss out on seeing their favourite artists if they don’t secure their place at the festival soon.
Music lovers from across Australia will visit the beautiful Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, just outside Byron Bay over the Easter long weekend (Thursday 29th March to Monday 2nd April 2018) for the 29th Annual Bluesfest. During the Festival they will enjoy 12 hours of music each day on multiple stages, incredible food and market stalls and on site camping in a range of accommodation options.
These artists join the 2018 Bluesfest line up:
LIONEL RICHIE – ROBERT PLANT
AND THE SENSATIONAL SPACE SHIFTERS
MS. LAURYN HILL
KESHA
JOHN BUTLER TRIO | TASH SULTANA
SEAL | JACKSON BROWNE
SHERYL CROW | MELISSA ETHERIDGE | GOMEZ
MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD | JIMMY CLIFF
ÁSGEIR | JASON ISBELL | YOUSSOU NDOUR
JUANES | SEU JORGE | CHIC FEATURING NILE RODGERS
JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ | FIRST AID KIT | RAG’N’BONE MAN
MORCHEEBA | GOV’T MULE | THE NEW POWER GENERATION
THE ORIGINAL BLUES BROTHERS BAND | THE WAILERS
ZIGGY ALBERTS| NEWTON FAULKNER| HOLY HOLY | CANNED HEAT
WALTER TROUT | LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL
JOE LOUIS WALKER | BOBBY RUSH | ERIC GALES | HARTS
HURRAY FOR THE RIFF RAFF | BENJAMIN BOOKER
WILLIAM CRIGHTON | AFRO CELT SOUND SYSTEM
ELEPHANT SESSIONS |HARRY MANX | DUMPSTAPHUNK
ANDRÉ CYMONE| THE CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS
RICK ESTRIN & THE NIGHTCATS
THE TESKEY BROTHERS
THE 2018 ARTIST DAILY PLAYING SCHEDULE IS AVAILABLE ON BLUESFEST.COM.AU
Festival and Camping tickets are now on sale through bluesfest.com.au or by phoning the Bluesfest office on 02 6639 9800
