TODAY, THE SECOND 2017 BLUESFEST ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT ADDS: MARY J. BLIGE – CORINNE BAILEY RAE – MICHAEL KIWANUKA – NAHKO AND MEDICINE FOR THE PEOPLE – GALLANT – THE SUFFERS, TO THEIR ALREADY STELLAR LINEUP AND THERE IS STILL PLENTY MORE TO COME!
The 28th Annual Bluesfest, that will rock Byron Bay and its beautiful surrounds over Easter in 2017, adding more superb artists to its growing line up. Bluesfest 2017 will be held over the five day Easter long weekend from Thursday 13th to Monday 17th of April at its home on the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, just outside of Byron Bay.
Today’s artist announcement shows that Bluesfest is on track to once again deliver a festival that enchants music lovers of all ages. Bluesfest is building on the powerful line up of female musicians already announced, adding the supreme and Grammy award winning Mary J. Blige and Corinne Bailey Rae to the bill.
Returning to Bluesfest is rising star Michael Kiwanuka, as well as music collective Nahko and Medicine for the People. First time performances by the awe-inspiring R&B musician Gallant and Houston’s award-winning 10-piece The Suffers will have Bluesfest audiences wanting more.
Bluesfest is known to festival fans for presenting spectacular artist releases over several months, delivering up to 12 hours of music daily over the five days, across multiple undercover stages, as well as offering an abundance of food and market stalls, several bars, parking and camping on site.
With many more announcements on the coming, Bluesfest Byron Bay will be the only place to be next Easter.
Global R&B superstar Mary J. Blige will be making her Bluesfest debut in 2017. The iconic Grammy Award winner, singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist is a defining voice of the contemporary music era.
Corinne Bailey Rae is coming to Australia to perform for the first time at Bluesfest in 2017. With over five million albums sold, two-time Grammy winner Bailey Rae released her self-titled debut album in 2006, reaching number one in the UK and number four in the U.S. The album featured the global hits ‘Put Your Records On’ and ‘Like A Star’.
Michael Kiwanuka makes his highly anticipated return to Bluesfest in 2017. His 2013 performances created a huge buzz around the festival, and his career has continued to go from strength to strength since. Kiwanuka has the rare honour of having both his debut record Home Again and his sophomore record Love & Hate nominated for the Mercury Prize. He has received critical acclaim from journalists and fellow musicians alike; all paying testament to his incredibly smooth and soulful voice that recalls a number of the greats of our time.
Nahko and Medicine for the People are returning to Bluesfest with their worldly blend of rock, hip-hop, and alt-folk and will be bringing their new album HOKA with them. HOKA is the third full-length album from Nahko and Medicine for the People, who have earned a horde of Bluesfest fans after their roof-raising performances in 2014 and 2016, which saw them receive shining reviews.
Gallant will be making his Australian debut at the festival in 2017. Named by Billboard as the #1 performance of Coachella in 2016, Gallant has garnered accolades for his exceptional voice from artists like Elton John, John Legend, and Seal.
The Suffers have redefined the sound of Gulf Coast Soul and are as much influenced by classic rock & roll, country, Latin and Southern hip hop as they are the Stax/Volt or Muscle Shoals era. Established in 2011, The Suffers’ line up was curated by bassist Adam Castaneda and vocalist/keyboardist Pat Kelly, who brought on trumpet player Jon Durbin, trombonist Michael Razo, guitarist Kevin Bernier, percussionist Jose “Chapy” Luna, and drummer/vocalist Nick Zamora. Jazz saxophonist Cory Wilson and guitarist/vocalist Alex Zamora filled out the rhythm section, while front woman Kam Franklin topped off the group with soaring vocals.
All this on top of these amazing artists already announced: ZAC BROWN BAND – PATTI SMITH AND HER BAND PERFORM HORSES – THE LUMINEERS – BUDDY GUY – BONNIE RAITT -MAVIS STAPLES – BILLY BRAGG – JETHRO TULL – TROMBONE SHORTY AND ORLEANS AVENUE – RICKIE LEE JONES – GREGORY PORTER – SNARKY PUPPY – SAINT PAUL & THE BROKEN BONES – BETH HART – LAURA MVULA – ANDREW BIRD – BOOKER T. PRESENTS THE STAX RECORDS REVIEW – ROY AYERS – JOAN OSBORNE – TURIN BRAKES – THE STRUMBELLAS – JAKE SHIMABUKURO – DUMPSTAPHUNK – NIKKI HILL – IRISH MYTHEN…….
The Playing Schedule as it stands after the second artist announcement
Tickets available now at www.bluesfest.com.au