It borders on unbelievable, the sheer amount of entertainment that the organisers of Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014 have in store for fans this April, but despite convention, they’ve announced more Bluesfest Sideshow activity from The Wailers, WAR, KC & The Sunshine Band, and more.
Bluesfest’s inimitably eclectic mix of blues, rock and roll, funk, soul, folk, and roots music energy will soon be flowing out of the festival itself and flooding some of the country’s most beloved venues, which includes previously announced tours from Buddy Guy, KT Tunstall, and Erykha Badu.
Yesterday’s fifth, Christmas-time lineup announcement saw the likes of Jeff Beck, KC & The Sunshine Band, Gov’t Mule, Chali 2na, Seth Lakeman, and more added to the Bluesfest 2014 bill, ensuring the event’s 25th anniversary lives up to its promise of being “the greatest Bluesfest ever.”
The Wailers Tour Dates
The definition of reggae royalty, The Wailers have been pursuing their mission to keep the music of Bob Marley alive since the legend himself passed away. Legends in their own right, no band in the genre has been more sought-after, respected or as influential as The Wailers, since forming in 1969.
Joining the band in Sydney will be special guests Sly & Robbie and The TAXI Gang. Made up of Sly Dunbar on drums and Robbie Shakespeare on bass, this pair of arrangers, producers, musicians and songwriters are widely acknowledged as ‘the world’s greatest rhythm section.’
Joining them will be the incredible vocal talents of British/Jamaican singer Bitty McLean.
Wednesday, 16th April 2014
The Tivoli, Brisbane
Tix: Via Ticketmaster | 1300 111 011
On Sale: 9:00am Wednesday, 18th December 2013
Thursday, 17th April 2014
Tanks, Cairns QLD
Tix: Via Ticketlink | 1300 855 835
On Sale: Monday, 16th December 2013
Saturday, 19th April 2014
Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Tix: Via Ticketek | 132 849
On Sale: 10:00am Monday, 16th December 2013
w/Special Guests Sly & Robbie and the TAXI Gang feat. Bitty McLean
WAR Added To KC & The Sunshine Band + Venue Change
KC & The Sunshine Band are set for a blistering string of sideshows, with the band bringing 40 years in the funk and disco business to Australian stages. The venue for their Melbourne show at The Palace on Friday, 18th April has now changed to the Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall.
Meanwhile, new additions to the Bluesfest 2014 lineup, WAR, have been added to KC & The Sunshine Band’s Sydney and Melbourne dates. This will be WAR’s first ever Australian tour, bringing a long-spanning career’s worth of funk, jazz, R&B, and rock fusion to the stage.
Thursday, 17th April 2014
Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Tix: Via Ticketek
w/Special Guests WAR
Friday, 18th April 2014
Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
Tix: Via Arts Centre Melbourne
w/Special Guests WAR
Saturday, 19th April 2014
Tivoli, Brisbane
Tix: Via Ticketmaster
Ben Caplan and The Casual Smokers Supports Announced
Castlemaine’s Oliver Perry, better to known to some as singer-songwriter D.D. Dumbo, is a star quickly rising, recently announced to replace Vance Joy at Meredith Music Festival 2013. Perry crafts blues inspired by “African dessert, Tanzanian ilimba and transcendental Tuvan melody.”
Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Harry Healy has been playing shows up and down the East Coast for some 15 years now, forging an adoring legion of fans. Both will be joining Ben Caplan and The Casual Smokers at their Northcote Social Club show in Melbourne on Friday, 3rd January, while Allon has been added to the Newcastle show at Lizotte’s on Tuesday, 7th January.
Thursday, 2nd January 2014
Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
Tix: Via Bluesfest Touring
Friday, 3rd January 2014
Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Tix: Via Bluesfest Touring
w/Special Guests D.D Dumbo and Harry Healy
Tuesday, 7th January 2014
Lizotte’s, Newcastle NSW
Tix: Via Bluesfest Touring
w/Special Guest Allon
