The Black Keys Lead Bluesfest 2015 Lineup

The Byron Bay Bluesfest 2015 lineup has just landed, and the festival has delivered another massive serving of some of today’s hottest acts in blues, folk, soul, jazz, and roots music, headlined by return visitors and Australian tour favourites The Black Keys.

When The Black Keys first performed at Bluesfest nine years ago, they were an indie favourite staging tours in local venues. Since then, they’ve redefined what it means to blow up, with a platinum-selling album, countless sold-out arena shows, festival headlining spots, and seven Grammy nods.

Although they’re regular visitors to our shores, this will be The Black Keys’ first Australian tour since 2012. It will also be their first since the release of latest record Turn Blue. The band teased an early 2015 Australian tour in May this year.

UPDATE 02/09/14: The Black Keys have announced a massive Australian headline tour while in the country for Bluesfest. Details here.

Also helping kick off Bluesfest’s traditional non-stop wave of artist announcements are Alabama Shakes, making their Bluesfest debut, “US roots based pop band” Train, and George Clinton, who will introduce all 22 members of his massive Parliament–Funkadelic crew to Byron next Easter. Prepare for epic 3-hour sets.

The award-winning five-day event is held annually over the Easter long weekend at the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm just north of Byron Bay. Organisers have kicked off the first of a series of announcements that will be rolled out in the lead-up to the festival’s 26th instalment with an array of international heavyweights, certified national treasures, returning favourites, and some exceptional Bluesfest newcomers.

Paul Kelly will be bringing his Merri Soul Sessions to life onstage, with the likes of Dan Sultan, Kira Puru, and Vika & Linda Bull set to join him for what’s sure to be a brilliant performance. Meanwhile, Xavier Rudd will have his own showcase, The United Nations, featuring musicians from all over the world.

Rounding out the first Bluesfest lineup announcement are the return of Michael Franti & Spearhead and Beth Hart, the folks from Rockwiz continuing their traditional Bluesfest live show, as well as Rebelution, Soja, Mariachi El Bronx, Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls, Band Of Skulls, and many more.

Tickets for Byron Bay Bluesfest 2015 are on sale now and available via the official Bluesfest website and official ticketing outlets (see all details below). As usual, there are plenty of one-day and complete experience packages, as well as camping and VIP options available to suit any punter’s needs.

UPDATE 14/10/14: The second artist lineup for Byron Bay Bluesfest 2015 has been revealed, and is led by the reunion of Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals. Updated lineup available below.

UPDATE 17/12/14: Bluesfest has added another 11 acts to its 2015 lineup. View the updated lineup, below.

Watch: The Black Keys – Just Got to Be

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2015

Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires
Augie March
Donavon Frankenreiter
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Justin Townes Earle
Declan Kelly Presents Diesel n’Dub (Featuring Emma Donovan, Alex Lloyd, Pat Powell, Radical Son, Tony Hughes)
Ash Grunwald
Blue King Brown
The Beautiful Girls
Steve Smyth
Karl S. Williams
Lenny Kravitz
The Gipsy Kings (feat. Nicolas Reyes & Tonino Baliardo)
Rodrigo Y Gabriela
Jurassic 5
John Mayall
Keb Mo
Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin with the Guilty Ones
JJ Grey & Mofro
Tony Joe White
Jon Cleary
Trevor Hal
Serena Ryder
Jake Shimabukuro
Music Maker Foundation (feat. Cool John Ferguson, Little Freddie King, Alabama Slim, George Stancell)
Michael Franti’s Soulshine
Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals
Paolo Nutini
David Gray
Ben Howard
Counting Crows
Jimmy Cliff
Mavis Staples
Gary Clark Jr
Dispatch
Ruthie Foster
The Beat
Keziah Jones
Playing For Change
The Black Keys
Zac Brown Band
Alabama Shakes
Train
Michael Franti & Spearhead
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
Paul Kelly Presents The Merri Soul Sessions feat Dan Sultan, Kira Puru, & Vika And Linda Bull
Xavier Rudd and The United Nations
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Rebelution
Soja
The Chris Robinson Brotherhood
Beth Hart
Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls
Mariachi El Bronx
G. Love & Special Sauce
Pokey Lafarge
Band Of Skulls
Rockwiz Live