Bon Iver, Patti Smith and Jimmy Barnes Headline the First 50 Acts for Bluesfest 2021

While some social distancing and public gathering rules are still in place across the country — and Melbourne it preparing to go into lockdown again — some festivals are starting to look to the less-restricted future. Falls Festival has announced it's powering ahead with plans for its New Year's festival and, today, Wednesday, July 8, Bluesfest has just announced the first 50 acts for its 2021 festival.

The festival's biggest-ever first lineup announcement, it features many artists who were set to perform at the 2020 festival, which was cancelled — like many — because of COVID-19. Famed American singer and repeat Bluesfest offender Patti Smith and Her Band, as well as the multi Grammy Award-winning George Benson and British trip-hop band Morcheeba are all set to headline the fest once again.

Some of the artists new to the lineup include Aussie icon and the human scream Jimmy Barnes, Justin Vernon-led American indie folk band Bon Iver and blues-rock quintet The Teskey Brothers.

The festival is set to return to Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm — just outside Byron Bay — for its usual Easter time slot, from Thursday, April 1 to Monday, April 5. This is dependent, however, on the continued relaxing of public gatherings restrictions. Under NSW's current laws, music festivals are prohibited.

When the festival was cancelled earlier this year, it was the first time in 30 years it had not run, but the second year in a row it had come under threat. In 2019, the Festival Director threatened to move the festival to a spot outside of NSW because of the State Government's strict music festival licensing regime.

Here's hoping it goes ahead — if save to do so — as planned in 2021, because tickets are already on sale. Time to start making Easter plans.

Anyway, here's the full lineup (so far).

BLUESFEST 2021 LINEUP

Bon Iver
Patti Smith and Her Band
Jimmy Barnes
George Benson
The Teskey Brothers
John Butler
Xavier Rudd
The Cat Empire
Kool & The Gang
The Gipsy Kings
Kasey Chambers
The Waifs
Troy Cassar-Daley
Michael Franti & Spearhead
The Wailers Perform Songs from 'Legend' LP
Morcheeba
The Black Sorrows
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Tori Kelly
Buffy Sainte-Marie
The Marcus King Band
Christone "Kingfish" Ingram
Jimmie Vaughan
John Mayall
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Chain
Larkin Poe
Weddings. Parties. Anything
Backsliders
Harts Play Hendrix
Ash Grunwald
The Wars & Treaty
Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles
Walter Trout
The Bamboos
Mick Thomas' Roving Commission
Dami Im
Pierce Brothers
Emily Wurramara
Roshani
Ray Beadle
Henry Wagons
Hussy Hicks
Pacey, King & Doley
Daniel Champagne
Nathan Cavaleri
Little Georgia
Byron Busking Competitions & Winners
+ more to come

Bluesfest 2021 will run Thursday, April 1–Monday, April 5 at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay. Tickets are on sale now via Moshtix.