Bluesfest Makes Female-Heavy Second Lineup Announcement For 2019

October 10, 2018

UPDATE: Iggy Pop & Norah Jones Lead Bluesfest 2019 Third Artist Announcement

ORIGINAL STORY: Byron Bay Bluesfest has unveiled a female-heavy second lineup for 2019, after the festival was criticised by some for a male-dominated first lineup it announced back in August.

After confirming the likes of Jack Johnson, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals and Kurt Vile on its first lineup, organisers have today added a string of 19 new acts, including Julia Stone, Mavis Staples, Meshell Ndegeocello and Ruthie Foster.

Of the 19 acts, 10 are female and two contain a mix of female and male musicians. Seven all-male acts are also included. View today’s lineup announcement in full, below.

In a statement, Bluesfest Director Peter Noble said, “This truly is an all killer, no filler announcement from top to bottom with many more to come, and we are very proud of it.”

In August, Noble apologised for comparing a lineup critic to a Nazi, after criticising so-called “SJWs” (“social justice warriors”) and calling for apologies from those critical of the festival’s initial lineup announcement.

The likes of Kurt Vile, Allen Stone, Ray LaMontagne and George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic have already announced Bluesfest sideshows for next year. Read up on the sideshows announced so far right here.

Bluesfest 2019 Second Lineup Announcement

Paul Kelly
Hozier
David Gray
Julia Stone
Gary Clark Jr.
Mavis Staples (exclusive)
Flogging Molly
Meshell Ndegeocello
Ruthie Foster (exclusive)
Shakey Graves
Anderson East (exclusive)
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
Samantha Fish (exclusive)
The War And Treaty (exclusive)
Mojo Juju
Caiti Baker
Deva Mahal (exclusive)
Melody Angel
Hussy Hicks

Joining…

Bluesfest 2019 First Lineup Announcement

Jack Johnson (Exclusive)
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals (Exclusive)
Ray LaMontagne
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic (Exclusive)
Snarky Puppy
Kasey Chambers
St Paul & The Broken Bones (Exclusive)
Nahko And Medicine For The People
Tommy Emmanuel
Colin Hay
Arlo Guthrie
Keb’ Mo’
Tex Perkins
Allen Stone
Richard Clapton
Russell Morris
Kurt Vile & The Violators
Vintage Trouble
The Black Sorrows
The California Honeydrops
Trevor Hall
I’m With Her
Larkin Poe
Irish Mythen
Elephant Sessions
Greensky Bluegrass
Rockwiz Live