Bluesfest 2014 Sideshows: Joss Stone & India Arie, Ozomatli And More

Bluesfest 2014 is fast establishing itself as the place to be this Easter, with the legendary Byron Bay festival announcing more and more must-see acts as the date approaches, which of course also means more and more must-see sideshow action.

With acts like Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, and Elvis Costello, this is set to be the biggest Bluesfest yet. Music Feeds readers can stay up to date with all of the latest Bluesfest 2014 news at our special Feed right here, and all of the action surrounding Bluesfest sideshows right here.


Joss Stone and India Arie Tour Dates

Joss Stone needs no introduction – the UK songstress has released a whopping six studio albums at the ripe old age of 26, selling over 11 million copies and impressing old and new fans alike with her latest, The Soul Sessions II, and collaborating with everyone from James Brown to Mick Jagger.

India Arie has just dropped her latest record, SongVersation, after a four year hiatus from the scene, and will be returning to Australia for the first time in eight years. The 21-time Grammy nominee has has audiences eating out of the palm of her hand ever since the release of her first single Video.

The two are joining forces for a string of very special double-billed sideshows in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

Thursday, 17th April

The Palais, Melbourne

Tix: Ticketmaster

Sunday, 20th April

The Tivoli, Brisbane

Tix: Ticketmaster

Thursday, 24th April

Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Tix: Ticketek


Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 Tour Dates

The youngest son of Afrobeat founder, Fela Kuti, Seun Kuti is making his own musical history while carrying on his father’s legacy. The prodigy has been leading his father’s 16-piece orchestra since he was 14, with three quarters of Egypt 80 having played with Fela.

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 are the difinitive word in Afrobeat, with their live show made up of a mix of classics and unheard new music from Fela Kuti, giving fans a chance to hear many songs that Kuti senior wrote but didn’t get a chance to play live in his lifetime.

Sunday, 20th April

Metro Theatre, Sydney

Tix: Bluesfest Touring


Ozomatli Tour Dates

Ozomatli are no strangers to Bluesfest. Formed in a post-uprising ’90s Los Angeles, the outfit of party boys have been itching to bring their genre-defying tunes back to Bluesfest for the first time in 4 years, even playing their Brisbane show on what’s been named as Ozomatli Day in Los Angeles.

Hip hop renaissance man Chali 2na is one of the most charismatic names in the business, making a name for himself as MC for underground legends Jurassic 5. He’ll be bringing plenty of good vibes to his Australian shows, appearing as a special guest for Ozomatli in Melbourne and Sydney, as well as previously announced shows with Morcheeba.

Wednesday, 23rd April – Ozomatli Day (Chali 2na not appearing)

The Zoo, Brisbane

Tix: Bluesfest Touring

Friday, 25th April

The Factory, Sydney

Tix: Bluesfest Touring

Saturday, 26th April

The Corner, Melbourne

Tix: Bluesfest Touring


Trixie Whitley Tour Dates

Belgian-American songstress Trixie Whitley virtually grew up on stage. The daughter of singer-songwriter Chris Whitley, Trixie lived the nomadic lifestyle with her father from the age of 3, and by 2011, she was fronting super-producer Daniel Lanois’ Black Dub.

Whitley released her impressive solo album Fourth Corner in 2013, wowing audiences with her wise-beyond-her-years voice, sophisticated songwriting and her gorgeous blend of soul, blues and rock.

Saturday, 19th April

The Basement, Sydney

Tix: Bluesfest Touring

Sunday, 20th April

Northcote Social Club, Melbourne

Tix: Northcote Social Club


Seth Lakeman Tour Dates

Seth Lakeman is not just a talented folk singer-songwriter but a virtuoso fiddler too, with the Devon-born musician heading to Australia off the back of his seventh album, Word Of Mouth, set for a February 2014 release.

Lakeman is playing his own headlining date at Melbourne’s Thornbury Theatre, as well as appearing as a special guest of Suzanne Vega at her Sydney and Melbourne sideshows.

Saturday, 19th April

Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne

Tix: Thornbury Theatre

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