Bluesfest have announced a round of festival sideshows for six of its international artists, all of which will be joining in the Byron Bay festivities for its final instalment next April. Heading up the announcement is English singer-songwriter Rag’n’bone Man, who returns to Australia for the first time in seven years following his appearance at Bluesfest in 2018. A full list of artists, pre-sale and ticketing information can all be accessed below.
Since he was last in Australia, Rag’n’bone has released his second studio album Life By Misadventure, which came out in 2021. By the time he arrives next April, he will have released his third studio album. Entitled What Do You Believe In?, the album is set for release on Friday October 18th via Sony. Thus far, he has released the album’s title track and ‘Rush Of Blood’ as singles.
Rag’n’Bone Man – ‘What Do You Believe In?’
Both BJ The Chicago Kid and Marc Broussard, meanwhile, will be making their live Australian debuts as part of Bluesfest and their respective sideshows. The former will be touring in support of his 2023 studio album Gravy, a collaboration with Yeti Beats, while the latter is touring in support of the latest addition to his S.O.S. album series: 2023’s Blues For Your Soul.
Allison Russell and Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram are each returning to Bluesfest after being a part of the 2023 line-up. These will mark their first headlining shows in Australia, however, with each artist serving as support to Jason Isbell and Buddy Guy, respectively, on their own Bluesfest sideshows.
Bluesfest 2025 Sideshows
In alphabetical order
Allison Russell
- Tuesday, April 15th – Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne VIC
- Thursday, April 17th – City Recital Hall, Sydney NSW
BJ The Chicago Kid
- Wednesday, April 16th – Northcote Theatre, Melbourne VIC
- Thursday, April 17th – Metro Theatre, Sydney NSW
- Sunday, April 20th – Princess Theatre, Brisbane QLD
Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram
- Sunday, April 20th – Metro Theatre, Sydney NSW
- Monday, April 21st – Northcote Theatre, Melbourne VIC
Marc Broussard
- Monday, April 14th – Northcote Theatre, Melbourne VIC
- Wednesday, April 16th – City Recital Hall, Sydney NSW
Rag’n’Bone Man
- Saturday, April 19th – Enmore Theatre, Sydney NSW
- Wednesday, April 23rd – Forum Theatre, Melbourne VIC
- Friday, April 25th – Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide SA
- Sunday, April 27th – Metro City, Perth WA
RY X
- Wednesday, April 23rd – City Recital Hall, Sydney NSW
- Thursday, April 24th – Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne VIC
The pre-sale for these shows will go live from 11am local time on Tuesday, September 17th and can be registered for here. General sale will then follow on Thursday, September 19th – again at 11am local time. All ticketing information can be accessed via Bluesfest Tours.
Further Reading
Hilltop Hoods Lead Bluesfest 2025’s All-Australian Second Announcement
