Last week Bluesfest made the stand to press on and deliver a 2021 event (despite the original dates at the Easter long weekend being cancelled just 24 hours before gates opened).
Now set for the October long weekend (1-4 October), Bluesfest's Festival Director Peter Noble has unveiled a line-up that remains largely intact from the original Easter offering.The good news doesn't stop there either, with Midnight Oil and Paul Kelly having each being drafted in to headline the Friday and Saturday line-ups respectively.
Tash Sultana will co-headline Saturday night with Kelly with Jimmy Barnes to headline Sunday's festivities.
"I am thrilled to announce that Midnight Oil have agreed to join our all-Aussie line-up and headline our opening night. . . and that Paul Kelly will co-headline alongside Tash Sultana," Peter Noble says.
"This is so special for me to announce – a moment I have been waiting years to happen. Midnight Oil headlined Bluesfest in 2001, just before their extended hiatus.
"It has always been my ambition to once again present the 'holy grail of Australian artists' at Bluesfest and have approached them every year, redoubling my efforts since their reformation in 2017. "And now, to have Midnight Oil headline our opening night and launch their new album – it's a dream come true."
Fresh off releasing their collaborative album 'The Makarrata Project', the Oils will be priming material for their first studio album in 20 years that is slated for release around October this year.
Other highlights of the line-up include Ocean Alley, The Cat Empire, Kasey Chambers, The Waifs, The Church, The Living End, Briggs, Tex Perkins The Man In Black, Hiatus Kaiyote, Ash Grunwald, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Kim Churchill, Henry Wagons, Pierce Brothers, Emily Wurramara, Fiona Boyes & The Fortune Tellers, All Our Exes Live In Texas, Hussy Hicks, and much more.
"We have shown a determination to overcome everything we had to face to reschedule," adds Noble, "knowing that as an integral part of the Australian music industry, so many were counting on us.
"As we rise from the ashes of Bluesfest, Easter 2021, please come join us as we celebrate our indomitable determination to present live music in Australia safely, at a major event level.
"Let's make history! We are back. We cannot be kept down. Please join us."
Season tickets on sale 9am local time 20 May. More information.
2021 Bluesfest will take place at Byron Events Farm 1-4 October.
Bluesfest 2021 Line-up
Midnight OilPaul Kelly
Tash Sultana
Jimmy Barnes
Ocean Alley
Ziggy Alberts
John Butler
Xavier Rudd
The Cat Empire
Pete Murray
Mark Seymour & The Undertow
Kate Ceberano
Kasey Chambers
The Waifs
The Church
Jon Stevens
Ian Moss
The Living End
The Angels
Ross Wilson And The Peaceniks
Russell Morris
Troy Cassar-Daley
Briggs
Tex Perkins The Man In Black
Hiatus Kaiyote
Kate Miller-Heidke
Weddings Parties Anything
The Black Sorrows
The Bamboos
Chain
Backsliders
Ash Grunwald
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Vika & Linda
Jeff Lang
Nathan Cavaleri
Mick Thomas' Roving Commission
Kim Churchill
Henry Wagons
JK-47
Garrett Kato
Mama Kin Spender
Dami Im
Pierce Brothers
Emily Wurramara
The Buckleys
Fiona Boyes & The Fortune Tellers
Ray Beadle
Pacey, King & Doley
All Our Exes Live In Texas
Hussy Hicks
Roshani
Declan Kelly
Daniel Champagne
Little Georgia
Lambros.
Round Mountain Girls
The Regime
Electric Lemonade
Palm Valley
Byron Busking Competition
