Overview
If you don't already have a date with Bluesfest in 2025, here are two new reasons to head along: ten-time Grammy-winner Chaka Khan and rains-blessing rock group Toto. The pair have joined the Byron Bay festival as part of a new lineup drop — the fest's fourth for this year's event — that showcases its commitment to variety. There aren't many fests in Australia where audiences will find the Queen of Funk and the yacht-rock favourites behind 'Africa' on the same bill.
Across the Easter long weekend, so from Thursday, April 17–Sunday, April 20, 2025, Bluesfest will also welcome 'Sailing' and 'Ride Like the Wind' singer Christopher Cross — another yacht-rock inclusion — as well as the Polynesian tunes of Maoli. Clarence Bekker Band, Hussy Hicks, Eric Stang, The Steele Syndicate and The Royals round out the latest batch of artists.
Khan is playing an Australian-exclusive set to celebrate 50 years in music, and returns to Australia two years after headlining the 2023 Melbourne International Jazz Festival. Among the Chicago-born singer's hits: 'I'm Every Woman', which was later covered by Whitney Houston; the Prince-penned 'I Feel for You'; and 'Ain't Nobody' with her funk band Rufus.
As well as hearing the drums echoing tonight in 'Africa', Toto's discography includes fellow anthems 'Hold the Line' and 'Rosanna' — and its members are known for playing on a wealth of albums from other artists in the 70s and 80s, including 'Thriller'.
Michelle Brody
Bluesfest's 2025 lineup already features Crowded House, Ocean Alley and Vance Joy, plus Hilltop Hoods, Budjerah, Kasey Chambers and The Cat Empire — and Xavier Rudd, John Butler, Tones and I, Missy Higgins, George Thorogood & The Destroyers and many more.
Before it started announcing its roster of talent in August 2024, the festival advised that it would bid farewell with its 2025 event, marking the end of an era — and coming at a time when Australian fests have been struggling and cancelling (see: Groovin the Moo, Splendour in the Grass and Spilt Milk, for just three high-profile examples). Bluesfest saying goodbye may no longer be happening, however, with reports that discussions are underway about the festival's future and also that artists are already being booked for 2026.
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Joseph Mayers
Bluesfest 2025 Lineup:
First announcement:
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
The California Honeydrops
Marc Broussard
Pierce Brothers
Taj Farrant
Fanny Lumsden
19-Twenty
WILSN
Cimafunk
Neal Francis
Second announcement:
Hilltop Hoods
Xavier Rudd
John Butler
The Cat Empire
Kasey Chambers
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
CW Stoneking
Budjerah
Lachy Doley Group
Ash Grunwald
Kim Churchill
Miss Kaninna
The Beards
Velvet Trip
FOOLS
ROSHANI
Sweet Talk
The Memphis Three featuring Fiona Boyes, Jimi Hocking and Frank Sultana
Third announcement:
Missy Higgins
George Thorogood & The Destroyers
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Nahko
BJ The Chicago Kid
Melody Angel
Don West
Fourth announcement:
Chaka Khan
Toto
Christopher Cross
Maoli
Clarence Bekker Band
Hussy Hicks
Eric Stang
The Steele Syndicate
The Royals
Roger Cotgreave
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Kurt Petersen
Bluesfest 2025 will run from Thursday, April 17–Sunday, April 20 at Byron Events Farm, Tyagarah. Tickets are on sale now — for further information, head to the Bluesfest website.
Top image: Lachlan Douglas.