Bluesfest 2025 Line-up (Fourth Artist Release)

Bluesfest 2025 will bring plenty of nostalgia to the stage, with the festival's fourth artist line-up drop featuring the Queen of Funk, one of the staples of yacht rock and arguably the greatest legacy act of all time.

Set to celebrate 50 years of music, R&B, soul, funk and gospel legend Chaka Khan will land at Bluesfest for an Australian exclusive set, the ten-time Grammy Award winner (who was recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame) serenading Byron Bay with such timeless classics as 'Ain't Nobody', 'I'm Every Woman', 'Through The Fire'. 'I Feel You' and 'Like Sugar'.

Widely regard as the forefather of what would quickly become yacht rock in the late '70s, Christopher Cross became an instant household name upon the release of his 1979 eponymous debut album.

Recently highlighted in the 2024 film 'Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary', Cross's mega-hit 'Sailing' from that debut album would earn Cross three Grammy Awards (the same album also producing the AM hits 'Never Be The Same' and 'Ride Like The Wind'), while 'Arthur's Theme' (from the Dudley Moore 1981 film 'Arthur') would win Best Original Song at the 1982 Oscars.



With a catalogue of ageless rock-pop anthems featuring such cuts as 'Africa', 'Hold The Line', 'Rosanna', 'I'll Be Over You', 'Stop Loving You', 'Georgy Porgy' and 'I Won't Hold You Back', TOTO are certified music legends who'll grace Bluesfest in 2025.

For those searching for chilled, laidback rhythms, and adding a Polynesian flair to the line-up, is Maoli, hailed as Hawaii and Polynesia's top independent commercial recording artist.

Led by Glenn Awong, Maoli has taken their distinctive reggae, island sound across the globe with their songs 'Every Night Every Morning', 'Mercy', 'Sunshine' and 'A Place In The Sun' resonating with music lovers of all persuasions.

Other new additions to the bill are Clarence Bekker Band, led by the charismatic Clarence Bekker whose soulful voice and electrifying stage presence have captivated audiences globally. Known for starring as Jerry Lee Lewis in the Tony Award-winning musical 'Million Dollar Quartet' and performing with Selena Gomez on major shows like 'The Tonight Show', Eric Stang will deliver another unforgettable performance.

Winners of Gold Coast Music Awards 2024 Live Act Of The Year, blues-roots-folk local legends Hussy Hicks provide the local connection at Bluesfest alongside The Steele Syndicate and The Royals – both winners of the 2024 Bluesfest Busking Competition.



Tickets are on sale now.

Bluesfest 2025 takes place at Byron Events Farm (Byron Bay) 17-20 April.

Bluesfest 2025 Fourth Artist Line-up

Chaka Khan: A Celebration Of 50+ years In Music* exclusive
TOTO
Christopher Cross
Maoli
Clarence Bekker Band
Hussy Hicks
Eric Stang
The Steele Syndicate
The Royals

Bluesfest 2025 Line-up (Australian Artist Release)

Hilltop Hoods
Xavier Rudd
John Butler
The Cat Empire
Kasey Chambers
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
C.W. Stoneking
Budjerah
Lachy Doley Group
Ash Grunwald
Kim Churchill
Miss Kaninna
The Beards
Velvet Trip
FOOLS
ROSHANI
Sweet Talk
The Memphis Three feat. Fiona Boyes, Jimi Hocking & Frank Sultana

Bluesfest 2025 First Line-up

Crowded House
Vance Joy
Ocean Alley
Tones And I
Gary Clark Jr
Rag'n'Bone Man
RY X
Allison Russell
Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram
Brad Cox
Here Come The Mummies* exclusive
The California Honeydrops* exclusive
Marc Broussard
Pierce Brothers
Taj Farrant* exclusive
Fanny Lumsden
19-Twenty
WILSN
Cimafunk* exclusive
Neal Francis* exclusive