The Doobie Brothers | Supplied

Bluesfest Sideshows Announced For the Doobie Brothers, Soul Rebels (w/ GZA and Talib Kweli) and more

Byron Bay Bluesfest organisers have announced sideshows for two of the drawcards on its 2023 bill: The Doobie Brothers and The Soul Rebels with special guests GZA and Talib Kweli. The Doobie Brothers – currently touring with the classic lineup of Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald and John McFee – will play two consecutive shows at the State Theatre in Sydney, on Wednesday, 5th and Thursday, 6th April.

The Soul Rebels will be playing at Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall on Wednesday, 5th April and the Enmore Theatre in Sydney on Thursday, 6th April. As with their Bluesfest appearances, they’ll be joined onstage by GZA from the Wu-Tang Clan and Talib Kweli. Robert Glasper will also be performing his own set at both sideshows. Tickets for the Doobie Brothers and the Soul Rebels shows will go on sale Thursday, 20th October.

Watch GZA and the Soul Rebels’ Tiny Desk Concert

Bluesfest has also revealed additions to some of their already-announced sideshows. Allison Russell will join Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit for shows in Sydney and Melbourne, while Vintage Trouble will join Marcus King‘s concerts in Sydney and Melbourne. Blues and roots rockers Larkin Poe have also announced rescheduled dates for their Australian tour which was supposed to take place last year. See those dates below.

The Bluesfest 2023 lineup expanded earlier this month with the addition of the Doobie Brothers along with Counting Crows, Allison Russell, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and more. They joined 41 acts already announced on the 2023 lineup, including Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Lucinda Williams, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Joe Bonamassa and more.

Next year’s edition of the festival will run from Thursday, 6th April to Monday, 10th April 2023, at its usual home of Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm in Byron Bay. See the full list of Bluesfest 2023 sideshows here.

The Doobie Brothers

  • Tuesday, 4th April – State Theatre, Sydney – NEW SHOW
  • Wednesday, 5th April – State Theatre, Sydney – SOLD OUT
  • Thursday, 6th April – State Theatre, Sydney – SOLD OUT

The Soul Rebels with GZA, Talib Kweli / Robert Glasper

  • Wednesday, 5th April – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane
  • Thursday, 6th April – Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Marcus King / Vintage Trouble

  • Monday, 10th April – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
  • Wednesday, 12th April – Northcote Theatre, Melbourne

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit / Allison Russell

  • Wednesday, 5th April – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
  • Thursday, 6th April – Palais Theatre, Melbourne

Larkin Poe

  • Sunday, 9th April – Metro Theatre, Sydney
  • Monday, 10th April – Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne

Further Reading

LP: 10 Essential Tracks

The Complete and Updated List of Bluesfest 2023 Sideshows

Bluesfest 2023 Lineup Expands with The Doobie Brothers, Counting Crows & More

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