Beck has been announced as the 50th act joining the line-up for next year’s Byron Bay Bluesfest, where he’ll perform an intimate acoustic set.
At the time of writing, it’s the only Australian show the artist has on his itinerary for next year; he’s not billed as an exclusive act for Bluesfest, though, so it’s likely that a full tour will announced in the coming weeks. He’ll perform on the festival’s second day, Friday April 7.
- READ MORE: Five Things I Know: Peter Noble, Bluesfest
Beck’s addition marks the third line-up announcement made by organisers of the festival. The second came just over a month ago, and was led byThe Doobie Brothers and Counting Crows.
The Doobie Brothers’ inclusion on the bill comes as part of their 50th anniversary tour, with the band – whose line-up currently includes Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons, Michael McDonald and John McFee – set to perform on the festival’s closing night on April 10. Counting Crows, meanwhile, will perform at the festival on the Saturday (April 8).
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Other recent additions include Canadian singer-songwriter Allison Russell, who will perform at the festival on April 8 and 9. , St. Paul & the Broken Bones and Vintage Trouble round the festival’s second line-up additions.
They join international names like along with Jackson Browne, Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit, Mavis Staples, Bonnie Raitt and Lucinda Williams. Elsewhere on the bill are the likes of Michael Franti and Spearhead, Steve Earle and the Dukes, plus The Soul Rebels – who’ll be joined by special guests Talib Kweli, GZA and Big Freedia.
Gang of Youths will also be returning home to Australia for an exclusive appearance at Bluesfest. Other homegrown acts include King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Tash Sultana, Xavier Rudd, The Cat Empire and Spinifex Gum featuring Marliya. Most of the artists billed will perform multiple times across the five-day festival.
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Satellite events will also take place in Melbourne and Perth, with details yet to be announced. Additional sideshows are also yet to be announced, though some of the acts on the first line-up announcement have already announced their own headline shows – such as Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Bonnie Raitt and Mavis Staples.
The festival itself isset to return to Byron Events Farm in Tyagarah, and will run over April 6-10 next year.Five-day, VIP and camping tickets are on sale now.
“For the first time since 2019, Bluesfest is presenting a fully international festival experience like the legendary ones we did before the COVID-era,” commented Festival Director Peter Noble in a statement.
“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.”
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Noble added: “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.”
After its 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled due to COVID-19, Bluesfest returned in April this year, with a predominantly Australian line-up that included the likes of Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly, Jimmy Barnes,The Teskey Brothers, Crowded House, Amy Shark, The Cat Empire, George Benson,The Wailers and more.
The Bluesfest 2023 line-up is:
THURSDAY APRIL 6
Beth Hart*
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Eric Gales
Greensky Bluegrass
Joe Camilleri presents A Star Studded Tribute To The Greats Of The Blues
Kaleo
Keb’ Mo’ Band
Larkin Poe
LP
Lucinda Williams
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
Nikki Hill*
Southern Avenue
Spinfex Gum feat. Marlya
St Paul & the Broken Bones
Steve Earle & The Dukes
FRIDAY APRIL 7
19-Twenty
Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Gang Of Youths
Greensky Bluegrass
Kaleo
Keb’ Mo’ Band
King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard
Larkin Poe
LP
Lucinda Williams
Marcus King
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
Nikki Hill*
Southern Avenue
Spinfex Gum feat. Marliya
St Paul & the Broken Bones
Steve Earl & The Dukes
Vintage Trouble
Beck
SATURDAY APRIL 8
19-Twenty
Allison Russell
The Black Sorrows
Beth Hart (Solo*)
Buddy Guy (The Final Tour Of Australia)
Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram
Counting Crows
Eric Gales
Jackson Browne
Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit
Joe Bonamassa*
Marcus King
Nikki Hill*
Vintage Trouble
SUNDAY APRIL 9
19-Twenty
Allison Russell
The Barnestormers
The Black Sorrows
Bonnie Raitt
Chain
Femi Kuti & The Positive Force
Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit
Lachy Dolyey & The Horns Of Conviction
Mavis Staples
Michael Fanti & Spearhead
Robert Glasper
Rockwiz Live
The Soul Rebels & Friends with Special Guests Talib Kwell, Gza & Big Freedia
Tash Sultana
MONDAY APRIL 10
Beth Hart*
Bonnie Raitt
The Cat Empire
Chain
The Doobie Brothers
Femi Kuti & The Positive Force
Jon Stevens
Lachy Doley & The Horns Of Conviction
Mavis Staples
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Nikki Hill*
Robert Glasper
Rockwiz Live
The Soul Rebels
Xavier Rudd
* exclusive to Bluesfest 2023
