Christmas comes early as eight international acts added to Bluesfest
After two years rescheduling, postponing, and going local, Bluesfest is ready to welcome overseas guests again. George Benson, Morcheeba, and The Wailers will join Paul Kelly, Jimmy Barnes, Midnight Oil, and Crowded House for a huge five days in Byron Bay.
Bluesfest, which is touting a ‘ginormous’ lineup of Australian talent including Midnight Oil, Jimmy Barnes, and Paul Kelly, has announced they are adding eight new international artists.
“I have been in communication with managers and agents since our first cancellation and I am so happy that we can finally bring back these internationals in time for Bluesfest as well as some touring dates,” Bluesfest Director Peter Noble OAM
“It feels like a brilliant Christmas present to me and I’m sure our Bluesfest fans will be stoked to hear about these much-loved artists coming back to Bluesfest.”
After nightmare last minute cancellations and persistence, Bluesfest is ready to kick off for the first time in two years with lineup announcements that keep rolling in.
The artists include new acts and returning ones with George Benson, Morcheeba, The Marcus King Band, The Wailers, Amadou & Mariam, The War & Treaty, Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, and Cory Henry.
Benson, American jazz guitarist and ten time Grammy winner, will play at Bluesfest for the first time.
English electronic band Morcheeba will return to Bluesfest playing hits such as ‘The Sea’, ‘Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day’ and ‘Otherwise’ and joining them is The Wailers with new and former members playing the sounds of Bob Marley.
Also announced are The Marcus King Band, a southern blues band led by guitar prodigy Marcus King, as well as pioneering Afro-pop duo Amadou & Mariam.
The War & Treaty will play their Nashville fusion of Southern soul, gospel, country, and rock-and-roll alongside modern Blues rising star Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, and American singer-songwriter and producer Cory Henry.
“Living legend George Benson makes his Bluesfest debut; Morcheeba, Bluesfest favourites, are very welcome returnees and The Wailers, for whom I hold a special place in my heart, are now led by a new generation of children as well as former members of the original Wailers, keeping the light and music of Bob Marley shining and alive,” said Noble.
The War and Treaty have been announced to play Bluesfest 2022 along with seven other international acts (Image: Supplied)
“Marcus King raised the tent roof at our 30th birthday celebrations in 2019 – what a guitar phenomenon he is.
“The War & Treaty became one of the discovery artists in 2019 – it’s exciting to welcome them back as well. Amadou & Mariam, Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram and Cory Henry were all slated to appear in 2020, and it’s a joy to have them confirm their Bluesfest appearances at Easter.”
These artists will join headliners Jimmy Barnes, Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly, and the recently announced Crowded House who embark on their first Australian tour in 12 years.
“I am beyond thrilled and excited to welcome Crowded House back to Bluesfest. I have great memories of them, and the sensational live performance they gave, headlining the very first Bluesfest at our Tyagarah home back in 2010,” said Noble.
“Crowded House have a trophy cabinet stacked with awards and no wonder, because not only is the Crowded House songbook jam-packed with instantly recognisable songs, but their live performances are an exercise in memorable, anthemic perfection.
“It’s an honour to have them return and allow us to host the closing date on their long-awaited Australian tour and it is a great acknowledgement of Bluesfest, as they were scheduled to be headliners on our cancelled 2020 festival.”
This is alongside a performance of Midnight Oil’s final Australian tour, and the final ever show of Cat Empire’s original lineup.
Bluesfest runs across five days at from 14 April to 18 April 2022.
