Overview
Start making Easter plans now: Bluesfest has just announced the first acts on its 2023 lineup. From Thursday, April 6–Monday, April 10, the iconic annual festival will return to Byron Events Farm at Tyagarah for its 34th event — with Elvis Costello, Mavis Staples and Gang of Youths leading the bill.
Also heading to northern New South Wales as part of the five-day lineup: Jackson Browne, Tash Sultana, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Jimmy Barnes with The Barnestormers, and Talib Kweli, GZA and Big Freedia as special guests of The Soul Rebels.
As usual, Bluesfest's roster of talent spans a hefty array of music genres — blues and roots, obviously, but also soul, rock, hip hop, R&B and more — with Beth Hart, Buddy Guy, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle and The Dukes, The Cat Empire and Xavier Rudd also set to take to the stage. Rockwiz Live will be doing its thing, too, in the perfect setting.
And, would it be a Bluesfest without Michael Franti & Spearhead? In 2023, you won't need to find out.
Mavis Staples by Myriam Santos
In total, 41 acts have been announced so far — with more to come, for what organisers are calling "the first original style Bluesfest since the world's borders re-opened". While the fest went ahead in 2022 after two years of pandemic cancellations (and a thwarted temporary move to October for the same reason), it showcased a primarily Australian and New Zealand lineup. With the return of international travel, Bluesfest can welcome top-notch acts from around the globe again.
Season tickets are on sale now, alongside VIP tickets, with prices remaining at 2022 levels for the 2023 fest. Day and three-day tickets will follow in the near future, at a yet-to-be-announced date, along with more lineup announcements, plus news of sideshows and two special satellite Bluesfest events in Melbourne and Perth.
BLUESFEST 2023 LINEUP — FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT:
19-Twenty
The Barnestormers
Beth Hart
The Black Sorrows
Bonnie Raitt
Buddy Guy
The Cat Empire
Chain
Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Eric Gales
Femi Kuti & The Positive Force
Gang of Youths
Greensky Bluegrass
Jackson Brown
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit
Joe Bonamassa
Joe Camilleri Presents: A Star-Studded Tribute to the Greats of the Blues
Jon Stevens
Kaleo
Keb' Mo' Band
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
Lachy Doley and The Horns Of Conviction
Larkin Poe
Lp
Lucinda Williams
Marcus King
Mavis Staple
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Nikki Hill
Robert Glasper
Rockwiz Live
The Soul Rebels & Friends with Special Guests Talib Kweli, GZA and Big Freedia
Southern Avenue
Spinifex Gum featuring Marliya
Steve Earle & The Duke
Tash Sultana
Xavier Rudd
Bluesfest 2023 will run from Thursday, April 6–Monday, April 10 at Byron Events Farm, Tyagarah. Season passes are on sale now. For further information, head to the Bluesfest website.