THURSDAY 14TH APRIL – MONDAY 18TH APRIL 2022
AS NSW OPENS BLUESFEST ANNOUNCES MORE ARTISTS
AMY SHARK
CASEY BARNES
STAN WALKER
KEVIN BORICH EXPRESS
LACHY DOLEY & THE HORNS OF CONVICTION
LISA HUNT’S FOREVER SOUL
GEOFF ACHISON & THE SOULDIGGERS
HAT FITZ & CARA
This morning Bluesfest is excited to announce that, as NSW opens, we are adding another EIGHT AWESOME ARTISTS to the already amazing lineup. We have now announced 82 artists who, between them, will perform over 130 shows across the days. And hold tight …. There’s more … Our special THURSDAY artist announcement is coming next!
AMY SHARK is a super talent who is exploding across the world. She’s a multi-award winner (8 ARIA’s from 22 nominations, 4 APRA Awards from 10 nominations and the AWMA Breakthrough Artist Award) and a formidable songwriter. Amy’s latest album, ‘Cry Forever’, sees her teaming up with blink-182’s Travis Barker on the gold-accredited single ‘C’MON’ and global superstar Ed Sheeran to co-write platinum single ‘Love Songs Ain’t For Us’ featuring Grammy award winning artist Keith Urban. Welcome to Bluesfest, Amy.
Australia’s newest country-rock superstar, CASEY BARNES, also makes his Bluesfest debut next Easter. His undeniable talent, paired with iconic foot-stomping performances, and his happy-go-lucky attitude have all attributed to his ongoing success in Australia and abroad. His latest country energetic single ‘Come Turn Me On’ awarded him his fourth consecutive single within the last 8 months to hit #1 on both the Global Country Music Network Charts and the Air 100% Independent Singles Charts. He’s a powerhouse and his high-octane live show is not to be missed.
15 years ago, a young STAN WALKER played Bluesfest as part of our High School Showcase. Now the Trans-Tasman pop R&B star returns for the first time in his own right. He says it all: “I grew up in Byron, a wonderful heaven on earth. Every year mum and dad would go to Bluesfest. We love soul and blues. First year I went I was gob-smacked; this was musical heaven on earth. Mum poked me and said: “Son – forget Billboard – forget Grammy’s – I will know you have made it as an artist when you are on the Bluesfest stage”. Dream big right! I knew that as a boy from the wrong end of town that was unlikely. Well Mum you are my plus one for April 15th”. He’s a multi-award winner (7 wins from 25 nominations) and this week added 2 more Waiata Māori Music Awards!
KEVIN BORICH has been thrilling audiences with his dynamic Rock, Blues and Funk … and blistering boogie, ever since he came over the Tasman with the La De Das and their anthemic ‘Gonna See My Baby Tonight’. He has been lauded globally for his guitar virtuosity and has shared the stage with the greats: Santana, Bo Diddley, Richie Blackmore (Deep Purple), Ron Wood (Rolling Stones), Joe Walsh, John Mayall, Taj Mahal, and has opened shows for Elton John, Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy and Peter Frampton. Together with his ‘A Team’ Express, Jon Carson (drums, vocals) and Chris Gilbert (bass, vocals), the KEVIN BORICH EXPRESS leave audiences wondering just how 3 performers can create such inescapable sounds, mixing Rock, Blues & Funk. You’d better see for yourself at Easter.
LACHY DOLEY is omni-present at Bluesfest: he is the go-to keyboard wizard for many top Australian artists. In between touring and sessions for others he fronts The Lachy Doley Group. His latest album ‘Studios 301 Sessions’ debuted at #1 on the ARIA Jazz & Blues Albums Chart. This time at Bluesfest Lachy Doley has taken his festival-adored Hammond Organ power trio THE LACHY DOLEY GROUP and supercharged it with an electric 4-piece horn section, 2 amazing backing singers and some screaming blues guitar to create … LACHY DOLEY AND THE HORNS OF CONVICTION. All the soul and energy of the power trio but with whole lot more class, more excitement, and more power.
LISA HUNT is one of our ‘almost’ local stars with an incredible loyal following. Former Byron Bay and now Gold Coast resident, New York born Lisa Hunt has sold over a million records and shared stages with the likes of Pavarotti, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, James Brown, Miles Davis, Dionne Warwick and Zucchero, with whom she worked as featured vocalist for many years. Lisa Hunt’s Forever Soul, a Rhythm and Blues Retrospective, comes to Bluesfest next Easter.
For the real traditional Blues lover, you can’t go past GEOFF ACHISON AND THE SOUL-DIGGERS. Geoff and his top-shelf band have been dishing out the Blues across the globe for the last 30 or so years and we are happy to have him back playing Bluesfest.
HAT FITZ & CARA.
Fitz has played at more than half our total Bluesfests and with his powerhouse drummer, vocalist (and wife) Cara they have rocked our stages several times in this past decade. Classed as Convict Rhythm and Roots they are among Australia’s most talented roots music artists; with Fitzy’s weathered vocals and soaring, blues-soaked guitar combined with Cara’s pounding drums and soulful honey coated voice. They are a real treat to see – don’t miss this ‘dynamic duo’.
Peter Noble OAM comments: “How good is this announcement? How great are these artists? This Bluesfest lineup keeps building and building – the quality and talent next Easter Long Weekend, Thursday 14th April – Monday 18th April 2022, is amazing and unparalleled! It is THE BEST Aussie & Kiwi lineup – EVER, and guess what – we still have one or two surprises left up our sleeves!! We have always believed the day would come when we will be coming together to attend music festivals again. We have never given up on that and, although it’s been quite a difficult time, we feel that, for our beloved music industry, the musicians, the crews, everyone who works in it and especially the fans, it is our responsibility to be there to present the music we love, just as soon as we can. Thank you for sticking with us in what has been an epic journey … it’s not too long now.”
“HOLD ON TO YOUR TICKETS BLUESFESTERS – I STILL HAVE SOME AMAZING HEADLINERS TO ANNOUNCE.”
PETER NOBLE OAM
CHAIRMAN BLUESFEST GROUP OF COMPANIES