BLUESFEST ANNOUNCES EVEN MORE ROOTS, GROOVE AND BLUES!

Shane | 12 February 2018 | Reply

BLUESFEST ANNOUNCES EVEN MORE ROOTS, GROOVE AND BLUES!

A stack of Aussie favourites have been announced for Bluesfest 2018, adding to the unbelievably jam-packed line up. There is no doubt that the 2018 festival is shaping up to be one of the most diverse and exciting on record.

Dan Sultan returns with his trademark charisma and Rock hits. Known as one of Australia’s most recognised and prolific songwriters, music lovers have found a home in his ability to bare his longings and wounds, with his rich and soulful voice spilling all sorts of guts and glory over memorable Rock and Blues hooks.

All Our Exes Live in Texas will bring their glorious harmonies to Byron this Easter. They are a fantasy draft of Sydney’s finest singer-songwriters who make music that draws from traditional four-part harmony, creating a new brand of modern folk. They feature on Bluesfest 2018 artist Kesha’s iconic single “Praying”. “Praying” has become a career defining song for Kesha, and has struck a chord, becoming the anthem for the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements around the world.

The originators of Oz-Blues, Chain will celebrate 50 years since forming in the wonderful crazy times of 1968, with 2 shows at Bluesfest in 2018. This landmark occasion will be the cause for much celebration at the festival.

Bluesfest is thrilled to welcome Con Brio back to the festival in 2018. Known for their fiery live shows, Con Brio is a living, evolving testament to the power of soul, fronted by the phenomenal Ziek McCarter, a charismatic, undeniably gifted showman whose stage presence calls to mind the charisma of a young Michael Jackson or James Brown.

The announcement that acclaimed singer/songwriter Mia Dyson is returning to Bluesfest will make her many fans very happy. Dyson is an award-winning guitarist and singer/songwriter, multiple ARIA & APRA award-winning artist and was recently named one of Australia’s top 25 guitarists of all time.

Bluesfest welcomes Shaun Kirk back to Bluesfest in 2018. Hailing from the outer suburbs of Australia’s music capital Melbourne, multi-award winning blues/soul troubadour Kirk has been labelled “One of the finest blues voices this country has ever heard” (Buzz Magazine) and “One of the most explosive solo acts this country has to offer” (Mixdown Magazine).

Bluesfest is excited to welcome Caiti Baker to the festival in 2018. A vocalist and front woman raised on the sounds that birthed popular music she started her career in electro soul act Sietta, leaving to forge her own path in 2014 touring and working with artists including Gurrumul, Pete Murray and A.B Original. She released her debut album ‘ZINC’ on October 6 2017, and followed up with a hugely successful Australian tour. Caiti writes songs about what she knows and feels, sings with her soul and unashamedly performs the hell out of them. But that will all be obvious when you hear her music and watch her perform in Byron Bay over Easter – she will have you either dancing or chilling with a grin on your face.

Steve Smyth is one of those artists who draws you in even before you’ve heard him perform. There seems to be an energy that clings to him which reaps mystery and a deep, honest passion. When you see him perform you feel like he’s conveying a million conversations, a million experiences filled with heartache, love, excitement. He delivers his songs with pure honesty and an unconscious bliss. Bluesfest is proud to welcome him back again in 2018.

The legends who brought you Mental As Anything are returning to Bluesfest with their band Dog Trumpet. Dog Trumpet is a family affair spearheaded by brothers Peter O’Doherty and Reg Mombassa, former founding members of iconic Australian Aria award winning and Hall of Fame band Mental As Anything; who had over 20 top 40 hits in Australia. Their sets at Bluesfest on Sunday and Monday will be celebrations of everything great about Aussie music!

Bluesfest get ready to swoon to the smooth sounds of The Hanlon Brothers in 2018. The Hanlon Brothers masterfully fuse original Hip-Hop, R’n’B, Soul and Jazz to create a signature sound that combined with live lyrical improvisation, world-class showmanship and flawless technique has made them a live act that will blow your socks off.

Organisers warn fans not to wait to buy their tickets as they are selling fast and fans could miss out on seeing their favourite artists if they don’t secure their place at the festival soon.

Music lovers from across Australia will visit the beautiful Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, just outside Byron Bay over the Easter long weekend (Thursday 29th March to Monday 2nd April 2018) for the 29th Annual Bluesfest. During the Festival they will enjoy 12 hours of music each day on multiple stages, incredible food and market stalls and on site camping in a range of accommodation options.

These artists join the 2018 Bluesfest line up:

THE 2018 ARTIST DAILY PLAYING SCHEDULE IS AVAILABLE ON BLUESFEST.COM.AU

Dan Sultan

Bluesfest is happy to welcome back Dan Sultan in 2018. Known as one of Australia’s most recognised and prolific songwriters, music lovers have found a home in his ability to bare his longings and wounds, with his rich and soulful voice spilling all sorts of guts and glory over memorable Rock and Blues hooks.

Over the course of 2016, when he wasn’t touring and making appearances on tracks like A.B. Original’s ‘January 26’ (which was voted in at number 16 on triple j’s Hottest 100), Sultan was writing. When the year was out, he’d penned around 60 songs for Killer.

His new LP Killer debut at #5 on the ARIA Chart and was released to widespread critical acclaim, including 3 nominations at the 2017 ARIA Awards. Media and fans alike are hailing it as Dan’s Sultan’s most ambitious and accomplished work to date. Killer takes Dan’s storytelling into uncharted territory, as he pushes into his most personal and political realms yet.

Dan Sultan’s previous album Blackbird landed at #4 on the ARIA Chart and won Best Rock Album the 2014 ARIAs, as well as a handful of NIMA and AIR awards. It’s since been accredited Gold in Australia.
For a songwriter who quickly became a household name and has played every Australian festival under the sun, touring the Killer album and his previous releases solo and with band to packed out crowds across the country defines ‘living the dream.’ With a voice that is simultaneously sweet and rough, this front man knows how to turn on a crowd – Bluesfest is in for a real treat when he takes the stage on Monday 2 April.

All Our Exes Live in Texas

All Our Exes Live in Texas is a fantasy draft of Sydney’s finest singer-songwriters – Elana Stone, Katie Wighton, Hannah Crofts and Georgia Mooney – here combining in four-part indie-folk heaven. On mandolin, ukulele, accordion and guitar, the Exes deliver tunes that are tastefully crafted within the context of a playful and utterly charming live show.

With four songwriters and four unique voices, the Exes make music that draws from traditional four-part harmony, creating a new brand of modern folk. Fair warning: You’ll need your charisma sunnies or you’ll walk away a little bit in love.

All Our Exes Live in Texas has shared the stage with a range of acts from the Backstreet Boys to Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Passenger and Midnight Oil. They also feature on Bluesfest 2018 artist Kesha’s iconic single “Praying”. “Praying” has become a career defining song for Kesha, and has struck a chord, becoming the anthem for the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements around the world.

Fresh from a national run of sold-out shows, whilst solidifying their reputation as darlings of the festival circuit, the Exes wooed audiences from Port Fairy Folk Festival to the National Folk Festival and beyond.

With their debut album ‘When We Fall’ released 03 March and scoring #8 on the ARIA Album Chart and the 2017 Aria Award for Best Blues & Roots Album, as well as garnering a string of 4 & 5 star reviews from Rolling Stone, The Australian, and Double J, the Exes are a powerhouse of harmonies, charm and songwriting prowess, proving they truly are the most badass girl folk group ever. Bluesfest audiences can catch them on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 March.

“Their talent combined with their relaxed and funny banter caused the audience to instantly fall in love…everyone who sees them play won’t be able to forget them. These guys certainly make a big impression” – The AUReview

“A person could roam far and wide and never find finer harmonies…the songs are as disparate as they are captivating catchy and winsome.” – The Brag

“Sweet and charming…a festival highlight.” – The Music

Chain

The originators of Oz-Blues, Chain will celebrate 50 years since forming in the wonderful crazy times of 1968, with 2 shows at Bluesfest in 2018.

Gaining an immediate status as a dominant underground group in the late sixties, Chain went on to have a number of hits in the early 70’s –“Black ‘n Blue”, “Judgment” and Matt Taylor’s “I Remember When I Was Young”.

Their double gold album ‘Toward the Blues’ is a landmark recording in Australian music history and has influenced the direction of blues and roots performers in this country since. Renowned for their onstage chemistry and their unique blues/rock style of music, Chain is a great musical experience and non-stop entertainment.

Chain rekindles the spirit of the sixties and seventies plus brings a thoroughly modern approach with the tight sound they are known for. While Matt Taylor and Phil Manning each have successful solo careers, it is with Chain that the fusion of harmonica, guitar, bass and drums combined with their unique song writing results in an immediately recognizable sound.

Exciting driving rhythms and soaring harmonica and guitar compliment Matt’s powerful vocals and their stage presence is hypnotic. These shows must not be missed! Catch them on Saturday 31 March and Monday 2 April.

Con Brio

“One of the best live acts seen in recent memory” – Death and Taxes

Based in San Francisco and named after a musical direction meaning “with spirit”, Con Brio has a relentless drive for experimentation, for pushing their technical ability higher, for reaching beyond the familiar, which has turned them into the genre bending band they are today.

In 2013, the longstanding rhythm section of keyboardist Micah Dubreuil, bassist Jonathan Kirchner and drummer Andrew Laubacher were joined by incomparable guitar slinger Benjamin Andrews as well as the fireworks of the “Hallelujah Horns” Marcus Stephens & Brendan Liu and you have the skill and confidence that comes from years of stage time and deeply-established musical partnerships with the thirst and energy of a rising star.

Their incendiary performances sent shockwaves through Bluesfest when they played in 2016, so don’t miss this extraordinary band bring music to life on Friday 30, Saturday 31 March and Monday 2 April.

Mia Dyson

The announcement that acclaimed singer/songwriter Mia Dyson is returning to Bluesfest will make her many fans very happy. Dyson is an award-winning guitarist and singer/songwriter who has toured with the likes of Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Chris Isaak and many more. A multiple ARIA & APRA award-winning artist, Dyson was recently named one of Australia’s top 25 guitarists of all time.

Her album “The Moment” received ★★★★ (4 stars) in Rolling Stone Australia and her most recent release, “Idyllwild”, hailed as “Brilliant” by Daytrotter debuted in the CMJ top 100 in the US, and scored a win as Double J Radio’s “Artist of the Year” in Australia.

In recent years she has been exploring new formats beyond the traditional album, expanding her collaborative circle and continuing to see where the road leads while living in L.A. Bluesfest welcomes this talented artist back to take the stage on Thursday 29, Saturday 31 March and Sunday 1 April.

Shaun Kirk

Bluesfest welcomes Shaun Kirk back to Bluesfest in 2018.

Hailing from the outer suburbs of Australia’s music capital Melbourne, multi-award winning blues/soul troubadour Kirk has been labelled “One of the finest blues voices this country has ever heard” (Buzz Magazine) and “One of the most explosive solo acts this country has to offer” (Mixdown Magazine).

Kirk’s ever-growing list of achievements includes 2 chart topping album’s, 30,000+ independent sales, 250,000+ YouTube views, as well as performances alongside the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Beth Hart, Allen Stone; and appearances at renowned festivals including Woodford, Queenscliff, Port Fairy and of course Bluesfest where his 2015 sets were met with delight by audiences.

With new music dropping in 2018 alongside the recent success of his Australian ‘Midnight in Motion’ Tour which resulted in numerous sold out headline shows across the country –it’s the perfect time for Kirk to return to Bluesfest! Fans can catch him on Thursday 29, Saturday 31 March and Monday 2 April.

Caiti Baker

Bluesfest is excited to welcome Caiti Baker to the festival in 2018. A vocalist and front woman raised on the sounds that birthed popular music she was born into a household filled with vinyl, CDs and tapes of Blues, Soul, Gospel, Jazz, Big Band and Rock & Roll. Caiti’s father, a Blues musician himself, made sure that she was raised amongst music.
As a child, Caiti developed a love and appreciation for the pioneering music but was drawn obsessively to Hip Hop, R&B, New Jack Swing and Neo soul. After being given an 8-track digital recorder, she learnt how to write and record songs on her own from the age of 12 inspired by the greats like Aretha Franklin, Big Mamma Thornton, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Etta James and Little Walter; Caiti began to take notes on Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Destiny’s Child and Lauryn Hill

She started her career in electro soul act Sietta, leaving to forge her own path in 2014. In 2015, she toured with and supported Gurrumul on his Gospel Album Tour and in 2016/17, Caiti joined A. B. Original as a special guest on tour dates and debuted new music at the Darwin Festival. Caiti also found time to spend in the studio with Pete Murray to lay down some backing vocals for songs on his long awaited album ‘Camacho’.

She released her debut album ‘ZINC’ on October 6 2017, and followed up with a hugely successful Australian tour. Caiti writes songs about what she knows and feels, sings with her soul and unashamedly performs the hell out of them. But that will all be obvious when you hear her music and watch her perform in Byron Bay over Easter – she will have you either dancing or chilling with a grin on your face.

“Each piece is unique, each uniquely wonderful.”- Rolling Stone Australia

“An exemplary vocal range is Baker’s weapon and man, does she wield it with grace, confidence and charm.” -AU Review
“Baker has a swaggering voice to rival that of Adele – 4 stars”- news.com.au

Steve Smyth

“Smyth is an undeniable talent” – Rolling Stone

‘There’s no doubting he is one of the most talented singers we have right now’ – Double J

Bluesfest is proud to welcome the supremely talented Steven Smyth back in 2018.

Steve Smyth is one of those artists who draws you in even before you’ve heard him perform. There seems to be an energy that clings to him which reaps mystery and a deep, honest passion. When you see him perform you feel like he’s conveying a million conversations, a million experiences filled with heartache, love, excitement. He delivers his songs with pure honesty and an unconscious bliss. You can almost hear the churning of his mind through his antique Remington typewriter.

Smyth explains “Music is something I do where I don’t have to pretend. It’s an honest place to be, and that humbles me. And I can’t get enough of that.”

Smyth’s 2014 album Exits, produced by Lenny Waronker (Thom Yorke, Beck) and Gus Seyffert (The Black Keys, Norah Jones), is receiving acclaim from all corners of the country, including Double J Feature Album, Album Of The Week on ABC Newcastle & Darwin, and a J Award nomination for Artist Of The Year

It’s a pleasure to have him back in Byron Bay over Easter, he plays on Thursday 29, Saturday 31 March, Sunday 1 and Monday April.
Dog Trumpet

Get ready to party! The legends who brought you Mental As Anything are returning to Bluesfest with their band Dog Trumpet.

Dog Trumpet is a family affair spearheaded by brothers Peter O’Doherty and Reg Mombassa, former founding members of iconic Australian Aria award winning and Hall of Fame band Mental As Anything. The Mentals having had over 20 top 40 hits in Australia, Including, In 1985 their song ‘Live It Up’ reached number 1 in Scandinavia No. 2 in Germany and No. 3 in the UK. ‘You’re So Strong’ peaked at no. 21 on the US dance chart in 1985 and ‘Too Many Times’ was also a top 20 hit for the Mentals in Canada in 1981.

Over the last twenty years as Dog Trumpet they have released five albums: Two Heads One Brain, Suitcase, Dog Trumpet, Antisocial Tendencies and River of Flowers. They continue their sonic alchemy of roots based, folk, pop, country and semi-abstract blues with their sixth and best release, a double album, Medicated Spirits.

Their latest album “Medicated Spirits” features the songs ‘What Falls Away’, ‘Speed of Light’, ‘With Good Reason’ and ‘Made in the World’, the album is full of wit, surprise and warmth, continuing their sonic alchemy of psychedelic folk, country and abstract blues driven by Reg’s distinctive slide guitar and Peter’s melodic acoustic guitar and mandolin.

Reg is well known for his idiosyncratic work for Mambo Graphics and as a fine artist. Peter is also a successful and much sought after painter. Dog Trumpet will be releasing a “Best of” in early 2018 as well as more touring both here in Australia and overseas. Their sets at Bluesfest on Sunday and Monday will be celebrations of everything great about Aussie music!
Hanlon Brothers

Bluesfest get ready to swoon to the smooth sounds of the Hanlon Brothers in 2018. The Hanlon Brothers masterfully fuse original Hip-Hop, R’n’B, Soul and Jazz to create a signature sound that combined with live lyrical improvisation, world-class showmanship and flawless technique has made them this region’s leading live act.

Recently playing with Bluesfest favourites, Cat Empire, multi ARIA-winning Amy Shark and New Zealand reggae heavyweights, Katchafire, Hanlon Brothers are set to be the next best thing out of Australia.

A musical melting pot of creative chemistry, Hanlon Brothers feature the inimitable Saia and Omar Hanlon on rhythm, New Zealand Idol winner Matthew Saunoa, lyrical master Roman MC, New York’s finest, Jeff Reid on sax and Scott ‘Powder’ Dalton on keys and vocals.

The Burleigh born and bred brothers are passionate exponents of their local community, growing the next generation of Gold Coast artists through their music academy, Hanlon School of Music, which their father and uncle founded in 1997, and hosting free performances to champion local initiatives such as the Walk With Me Foundation and Burleigh Boardriders.

With a brand new purpose-built studio in Miami on the Gold Coast, Hanlon Brothers are set to release their much anticipated second studio album in 2018 to follow up 2015 debut, ‘Featured’, which garnered national radio airplay and a USA tour.

With live improvisation the cornerstone of their sound, Hanlon Brothers are a truly unique experience every time giving audiences an insatiable thirst for more – perfect for Bluesfest. They play Friday 30 March and Sunday 1 April.