Bluesfest Announces First Artists For 2025 Finale

Bluesfest have begun the rollout of artist announcements for the festival’s 2025 iteration – which, as festival director Peter Noble confirmed last week, will be its last. The first line-up additions shared today (August 21st) are slated to be the first “of many”, per festival press materials, in the lead-up to the Easter long weekend next April. The full announcement and ticketing can be found below.

Crowded House have been announced as the festival’s first headlining act, returning after their appearance on the 2022 line-up in support of their recently-released eighth album Gravity Stairs. The band also played the festival in 2010, with frontman Neil Finn having also played solo at the festival in 2000 and 2017.

Crowded House – ‘Something So Strong’

Australian acts on the line-up include Vance Joy, Ocean Alley and Byron Bay native Tones & I, while among the first international acts on the bill are American blues-rock artist Gary Clark Jr. and ‘Human’ singer Rag’n’Bone Man. The first announcement also includes five artists that are billed as being exclusive to Bluesfest 2025, indicating that more festival exclusives are to come in further lineup announcements.

“As we prepare for the final chapter of Bluesfest in 2025, I am profoundly moved by the outpouring of support from thousands in our community,” said Noble in a press statement. “Thank you all for your heartfelt messages and expressions of solidarity. This lineup, meticulously curated to honour Bluesfest’s rich legacy, features a dynamic mix of legendary and cutting-edge performers. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Let’s make the final Bluesfest one for the ages.”

Bluesfest ran its 2024 edition back in April, with performances from the likes of Jack Johnson, Tom Jones, Ben Harper, Elvis Costello & The Impostors, Infectious Grooves (which featured Metallica‘s Rob Trujillo and ex-Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg) and the Blind Boys of Alabama. Immediately following the festival’s conclusion, Noble claimed the festival would “125 million percent” return.

“We’re still calculating the numbers, but we know the attendance for Bluesfest this year was at least the same as in 2023,” he said at the time. “We have held our position, and as much as we would like to see more people come it’s not going to happen until the interest rates drop. We do ask our government to support our industry until then.”

Last week, announcing the festival’s finale, Noble said it was “time to close this chapter”. “Bluesfest has been a labour of love, a celebration of music, community, and the resilient spirit of our fans,” he said. “To my dear Bluesfest family: I want to make it the most unforgettable experience yet. If you’ve been thinking about it, now is your last chance to experience our beloved festival.”