Bluesfest have continued the rollout for their final edition across the Easter long weekend in April 2025, adding a further 18 Australian acts to the bill for its second announcement. In a press statement sharing the latest additions, festival director Peter Noble said the announcement intended to celebrate “our homegrown talent” and “staying true to the heart of what Bluesfest has always been about”.
“I’m thrilled to welcome back some of our all-time favourites,” said Noble. “You can’t say no to artists who have helped shape this festival over the years. This mix of legendary performers and up-and-coming talent is what makes this announcement so special and uniquely ours.” Noble also noted that there will be a further announcement of international artists “coming soon”.
Heading up the second line-up announcement are Hilltop Hoods, who will return to Bluesfest after a 20-year absence. In the intervening decades since their last appearance, the Adelaide trio have become the country’s premier hip-hop act – having gone platinum multiple times and sold out three headlining arena tours. Joining them will be mainstays Xavier Rudd and The Cat Empire, as well as Kasey Chambers – who holds the record for most Bluesfest appearances by a woman.
Hilltop Hoods – ‘The Nosebleed Section’
Also of note are Adelaide comedy-rock band The Beards, who will reunite for a one-off performance exclusive to Bluesfest. The band undertook a farewell tour in 2016, concluding with a show at The Gov in Adelaide that October which was filmed and recorded for The Final Show live album and DVD.
They will join the likes of Crowded House, Ocean Alley and Tones and I from the first announcement – both of which can be found below. Since the initial line-up announcement, the festival has also tabled an e-petition in NSW parliament seeking a “rescue package” in order for the festival to continue – which will be required to be debated in parliament if it reaches 20,000 signatures. The petition can be viewed and signed by New South Wales residents by clicking here.
Bluesfest 2025 Second Announcement
- Hilltop Hoods
- Xavier Rudd
- John Butler
- The Cat Empire
- Kasey Chambers
- Melbourne Ska Orchestra
- C.W. Stoneking
- Budjerah
- Lachy Doley Group
- Ash Grunwald
- Kim Churchill
- Miss Kaninna
- The Beards*
- Velvet Trip
- Fools
- Roshani
- Sweet Talk
- The Memphis Three
Joining
- Crowded House
- Ocean Alley
- Tones and I
- Gary Clark Jr.
- Rag’n’Bone Man
- RY X
- Allison Russell
- Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram
- Brad Cox
- Here Come The Mummies*
- The California Honeydrops*
- Marc Broussard
- Pierce Brothers
- Taj Farrant*
- Fanny Lumsden
- 19-Twenty
- WILSN
- Cimafunk*
- Neal Francis*
- with more to be announced
* – Exclusive to Bluesfest
Tickets for the festival are on sale now via Moshtix.
Further Reading
Hilltop Hoods Share New Single ‘Laced Up’
Track By Track: The Cat Empire Break Down New Album ‘Where The Angels Fall’
