Bluesfest 2015 Sideshows: Gipsy Kings, David Gray, Michael Franti & More

The second juicy batch of Bluesfest 2015 sideshows has officially dropped. Just like the first round of sideshows announced last month, the second features some big names from the Byron Bay festival who are ready to perform around the country in March and April 2015.

Flamenco masters The Gipsy Kings will play Bluesfest sideshows in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and across the ditch in New Zealand as part of their 25th Anniversary Tour. English singer-songwriter David Gray will also perform for fans in Sydney and Melbourne around Bluesfest next year.

American musician and poet Michael Franti will bring his hip-hop-infused brand of reggae fusion back to Australia with his band Spearhead for the second time in two years. Michael Franti & Spearhead‘s national tour will make its way through New Zealand before hitting Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Brisbane and Cairns.

RnB and gospel legend Mavis Staples, now 75, will play a run of Bluesfest 2015 sideshows across Adelaide, Meeniyan, Brisbane, Canberra and Newcastle, while Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo will also perform a number of sideshows.

Also touring around Bluesfest 2015 are reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, 2-Tone proponents The Beat and the ukulele-wielding musician Jake Shimabukuro.

Bluesfest 2015 dropped its third artist lineup last week. Music Feeds readers can stay up to date with the latest Bluesfest 2015 news at our special Feed right here, and find information on all the Bluesfest sideshows right here. Sideshow details are available below.

The Gipsy Kings

The Gipsy Kings’ return to Australia in 2015 marks their first appearance in five years. Touring as part of their 25th Anniversary Tour, the French group will be filling theatres with passionate flamenco, salsa and rumba, all blended with a pop sensibility.

Buoyed by their award-winning album Savor Flamenco, which won a Grammy Award for ‘Best World Music Album’ in 2013, The Gipsy Kings continue to move from strength to strength. This will be the band’s third tour of Australia in almost three decades, so it’s definitely not one to miss.

The Gipsy Kings sideshow dates

Tickets on sale from 9am (local time) Tuesday, 11th November

Wednesday, 1st April 2015
Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington NZ
Tickets: via Ticketek NZ

Tickets on sale from 9am (local time) Tuesday, 11th November

Thursday, 2nd April 2015
ASB Theatre, Auckland NZ
Tickets: via Ticketmaster NZ

Tickets on sale from 9am (AEDT) Friday, 14th November

Sunday, 5th April 2015 – NEW SHOW!
Jupiters Hotel & Casino at the Gold Coast, Queensland
Tickets: Bluesfest Touring

Friday, 10th April 2015
Palais, Melbourne VIC
Tickets: via Ticketmaster

Tickets on sale from 9am (AEDT) Friday, 14th November

Saturday, 11th April 2015
Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
Tickets: via Ticketmaster

Tickets on sale from 9am (local time) Monday, 10th November

Monday, 13th April 2015
Riverside Theatre, Perth WA
Tickets: via Ticketek

David Gray

England’s David Gray last played in Australia in 2009, selling out a number of shows around the country. Blending indie songwriting prowess with some gentle folk rock tones, Gray has captured the imagination of audiences around the globe, and will play two Bluesfest sideshows in Melbourne and Sydney next year. Gray released his tenth studio album, Mutineers, in June.

UPDATE 16/12/14: David Gray has added a second Sydney date to his Bluesfest sideshows. The newly-announced show will take place at the State Theatre on Thursday, 2nd April. View updated tour details below.

David Gray sideshow dates

Tickets for David Gray’s second Sydney show go on sale 10am AEDT Thursday, 18th December. All other shows on sale now.

Wednesday, 1st April 2015
State Theatre, Sydney NSW
Tickets: via Ticketmaster

Thursday, 2nd April 2015 – NEW SHOW
State Theatre, Sydney NSW
Tickets: via Ticketmaster

Sunday, 5th April 2015
Palais, Melbourne VIC
Tickets: via Ticketmaster

Michael Franti & Spearhead

Michael Franti & Spearhead are set to play a number of Bluesfest 2015 sideshows next year. The group, led by the poet, philanthropist and composer Franti, blend genres such as jazz, folk, rock, reggae and funk with a hint of hip hop.

Franti’s admiration for the power of music comes to the foreground in a live setting, with Spearhead helping him to create a truly uplifting and truly communal live experience. Details of Michael Franti & Spearhead’s Bluesfest 2015 sideshows are available below.

UPDATE 27/11/14: Michael Franti & Spearhead have added a Perth stop to their run of Bluesfest 2015 sideshows. They will play at the Red Hill Auditorium on April 18th 2015 alongside special guests, Blue King Brown, Donovan Frankenreiter and Tijuana Cartel.

Michael Franti & Spearhead sideshow dates

Tickets on sale from 9am (local time) Tuesday, 11th November

Thursday, 26th March 2015
The Bedford, Christchurch NZ
Tickets: via Ticketek NZ

Tickets on sale from 9am (local time) Tuesday, 11th November

Friday, 27th March 2015
Shed 6, Wellington NZ
Tickets: via Ticketek NZ

Tickets on sale from 9am (local time) Tuesday, 11th November

Saturday, 28th March 2015
Powerstation, Auckland NZ
Tickets: via Powerstation

Tickets on sale from 9am (AEDT) Thursday, 6th November

Friday, 3rd April – NEW SHOW!
Odeon Theatre, Hobart
Tickets: Ruffcut Records

Wednesday, 8th April 2015
Panthers, Newcastle NSW
Tickets: via Moshtix

Tickets on sale from 9am (AEDT) Thursday, 6th November

Thursday, 9th April 2015
C.ex Coffs, Coffs Harbour NSW
Tickets: via C.ex

Tickets on sale from 9am (AEDT) Friday, 14th November

Friday, 10th April 2015
The Tivoli, Brisbane QLD – FRI 10 APR 2015
Tickets: via Ticketmaster

Tickets on sale from 9am (AEDT) Wednesday, 5th November

Saturday, 11th April – Sunday, 12th April 2015
Tanks, Cairns QLD
Tickets: via Ticketlink

Jimmy Cliff

Grammy Award-winning reggae icon Jimmy Cliff has a tremendous musical legacy, and is still regarded as a figurehead of modern world music. Cliff is set to perform two Bluesfest 2015 sideshows in Melbourne and Sydney next April, playing very intimate venues in both cities.

Cliff’s most recent album, 2012’s Rebirth, was produced by none other than Tim Armstrong of American punk outfit Rancid. Details of Jimmy Cliff’s Bluesfest 2015 sideshows are available below.

Jimmy Cliff sideshow dates

Tickets on sale from 9am (AEDT) Wednesday, 5th November

Wednesday, 8th April 2015
The Corner, Melbourne VIC
Tickets: via Bluesfest Touring

Thursday, 9th April 2015
Metro Theatre, Sydney NSW
Tickets: via Ticketek

Mavis Staples

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Mavis Staples is ready to return to Australia next year for an expansive national tour around Bluesfest 2015. After playing in Adelaide, Mavis Staples and her moving live show will make their way up Australia’s east coast. Full tour details available below.

Mavis Staples sideshow dates

Tickets on sale from 9am (AEDT) Wednesday, 5th November

Tuesday, 31st March 2015
The Gov, Adelaide SA
Tickets: via Blues Fest Touring

Tickets on sale from 9am (AEDT) Friday, 7th November

Thursday, 2nd April 2015
Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan VIC
Tickets: via Lyrebird Arts Council

Tickets on sale from 9am (AEDT) Wednesday, 5th November

Wednesday, 8th April 2015
Powerhouse, Brisbane QLD
Tickets: via Powerhouse

Tickets on sale from 9am (AEDT) Wednesday, 5th November

Thursday, 9th April 2015
The Street Theatre, Canberra ACT
Tickets: via The Street Theatre

Tickets on sale from 9am (AEDT) Wednesday, 5th November

Friday, 10th April 2015
Lizottes, Newcastle NSW
Tickets: via Lizottes

Angélique Kidjo

Angélique Kidjo’s creative energy will be on full display during two Bluesfest 2015 sideshows in Brisbane and Canberra next year. With twelve albums to her name, the UNICEF Peace Ambassador has mapped out an influential discography which is only matched by her captivating live shows.

Material from Kidjo’s latest album, Eve, will no doubt be front and centre during her two sideshow dates. Full details are available below.

Angélique Kidjo sideshow dates

Tickets on sale from 9am (AEDT) Wednesday, 5th November

Saturday, 4th April 2015
Powerhouse, Brisbane QLD
Tickets: via Powerhouse

Tickets on sale from 9am (AEDT) Monday, 10th November

Wednesday, 8th April 2015
Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra ACT
Tickets: via Canberra Theatre Centre

The Beat

One of the key figures of the UK’s 2-Tone movement, The Beat will play three Bluesfest 2015 sideshows next year, fronted by original frontman Ranking Roger. Joining Ranking Roger will be Ranking Junior on vocals, Oscar Harrison on drums, as well as Andy Pearson on bass, Matt Godwin on saxophone and Steve Harper on guitar.

The Beat sideshow dates

Tickets on sale from 9am (AEDT) Friday, 14th November

Wednesday, 1st April 2015
Charles Hotel, Perth WA
Tickets: via Ticketmaster

Tickets on sale from 9am (AEDT) Wednesday, 5th November

Thursday, 2nd April 2015
The Corner, Melbourne VIC
Tickets: via Bluesfest Touring

Tickets on sale from 9am (AEDT) Wednesday, 5th November

Sunday, 5th April 2015
The Factory, Sydney NSW
Tickets: via Bluesfest Touring

Jake Shimabukuro

Ukulele wizard Jake Shimabukuro will return to Australia after releasing new album Grand Ukulele. The musician, who originally found fame through YouTube, has come to redefine the ukulele as a musical instrument. Make sure you forget everything you know (or think you know) about the humble ukulele before catching his Bluesfest 2015 sideshows.