While Bluesfest 2023 is still 31 weeks away, event organisers have been busy organising one of the event's most diverse line-ups ever (brimming with a stack of international guests as well for the first time since 2019), with the first 40 artists revealed today.
The Bluesfest sonic palette in 2023 will span from blues, roots, soul and rock to hip hop, R&B, world music and Americana/ roots; basically every colour under the musical rainbow, offering music lovers a five-day wonderland of live music.A quick scan of the line-up reveals some massive international musicians are headed to Byron Bay led by Beth Hart, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Femi Kuti & The Positive Force, Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit, Larkin Poe, LP, Marcus King, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Robert Glasper and Steve Earle & The Dukes.
Then there are the living legends: Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Joe Bonamassa, Lucinda Williams and Mavis Staples.
New Orleans soul-funk-rock-hip hop ensemble The Soul Rebels will be bringing special guests Talib Kweli, GZA and Big Freedia down under with them.
But the top-shelf drawcards don't end there with a cavalcade of some of the biggest names in Australian music including Gang Of Youths, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Tash Sultana and Xavier Rudd as well as Kiwi soulful rockers 19-Twenty.
While perennial Bluesfest favourites like The Black Sorrows, The Cat Empire, Chain, Joe Camilleri, Jon Stevens, Lachy Doley, and Rockwiz will return to Byron Bay in 2023.
"For the first time since 2019, Bluesfest is presenting a fully international festival experience like the legendary ones we did before the COVID-era," Festival Director Peter Noble OAM says.
"Whilst there are still plenty of Aussie artists listed in this first and upcoming announcements, it is wonderful to once again in 2023, after four long years be able to bring back some of the greatest blues, roots, soul, rock, hip hop, R&B, world and Americana artists (and so much more) back to our shores after so long. As well as, of course, the stars of tomorrow.
"We have our largest number of artists ever listed in our first Bluesfest artist announcement; check it out, there's more than 40 of them. It is such a stunning list for every Bluesfester.
"More good news is we've made the call to NOT increase our ticket prices. As always there's a large allocation of tickets so everyone can experience the whole musical enchilada we are proud to be bringing to our shores.
"To all Bluesfest fans, artists, suppliers, contractors, volunteers and to my dedicated team – thank you so much for your belief and your support. Together we've endured a few hard years. It's time to get excited. . . time to come out and play, and to enjoy an experience like no other."
Bluesfest takes place at Byron Events Farm (Byron Bay) 6-10 April, 2023.
Early bird tickets are on sale.
Bluesfest 2023 Line-up
19-TwentyAllison Russell
The Barnestormers
Beth Hart (exclusive)
The Black Sorrows
Bonnie Raitt
Buddy Guy
The Cat Empire
Chain
Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram
Counting Crows
The Doobie Brothers
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Eric Gales (exclusive)
Femi Kuti & The Positive Force
Gang Of Youths
Greensky Bluegrass (exclusive)
Jackson Browne
Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit
Joe Bonamassa (exclusive)
Joe Camilleri presents A Star-Studded Tribute To The Greats Of The Blues
Jon Stevens
Kaleo (exclusive)
Keb' Mo'
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
Lachy Doley And The Horns Of Conviction
Larkin Poe
LP
Lucinda Williams
Marcus King
Mavis Staples
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Nightsweats
Nikki Hill (exclusive)
Robert Glasper
Rockwiz Live
The Soul Rebels & Friends with special guests Talib Kweli, GZA & Big Freedia
Southern Avenue (exclusive)
Spinifex Gum feat. Marliya
St Paul & The Broken Bones
Steve Earle & The Dukes
Tash Sultana
Vintage Trouble
Xavier Rudd
Plus more still to be announced
