Every year, Bluesfest Byron Bay seems to outdo itself. With every lineup announcement, the legendary music festival pull out all the stops to ensure the globe’s best musicians are brought to one location — all for your listening pleasure.
Of course, next year’s lineup is no different. Flaunting a catalogue of exciting up-and-comers and bonafide music legends, Bluesfest’s 2020 lineup is bursting at the seams with incredible talent. We understand that navigating such a formidable list can be a hefty task, so we’ve gathered five acts you absolutely can’t afford to miss.
As has come to be expected, Bluesfest 2020’s lineup is bursting at the seams with unbelievable talent. Here are five of the best.
Patti Smith
Alright, this one seems obvious. Since releasing her debut album Horses in 1975, Patti Smith has built herself as one of the most iconic and influential musicians of all time. With her groundbreaking blend of poetry and punk-rock, the 72-year-old has made a career out of pushing the envelope—and after all these years, she hasn’t backed off even slightly. Having just released an incredible new book—littered with references to Australia and Uluru—we can’t wait for this music legend to make her return down under.
Larkin Poe
After leaving audiences spell-bound at Bluesfest 2019, it’s no wonder event organisers have invited this Georgia-based sister duo back for a follow-up performance. Relatives of the legendary poet/writer Edgar Allan Poe, it’s no wonder that Rebecca and Megan Lovell ooze out such a uniquely dark brand of folk-rock. If you didn’t get a chance to see Larkin Poe when they were last in the country, don’t make the same mistake at Bluesfest 2020.
Jenny Lewis
Having just released her latest solo record, On The Line, earlier this year, Jenny Lewis is set to bring her unique blend of vintage pop and indie-rock back to Australia. Lewis has been releasing consistently great music since the 90’s, performing with her band Rilo Kiley, as well as the Postal Service, Jenny & Johnny and Nice As Fuck. Her return to Australia is not a moment to be missed.
Eagles Of Death Metal
Since forming in 1998 by best mates Jesse Hughes and Josh Homme, Eagles Of Death Metal have been belting out their relentless brand of rockabilly garage-rock, blasting the faces off of audiences all around the world. With a new covers album—Eagles Of Death Metal Presents Boots Electric Performing The Best Songs We Never Wrote—fresh under their belts, the band’s 2020 Bluesfest set promises to be a memorable one.
George Benson
It’s not very often you get to watch a living legend live in action. At Bluesfest 2020, however, you’ll get to see a stack of them. One of which is the legendary George Benson. With more than 50 years of touring experience in his bag, Benson is undeniably one of the greatest living American guitarists. Don’t miss him live next April, whatever you do.
Bluesfest 2020:
9th April 2020 – 13th April 2020
Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay NSW
Tickets: Oztix
Check out the full lineup below:
First round lineup announce
Dave Matthews Band
Crowded House
Patti Smith and Her Band
George Benson
Brandi Carlile
John Butler
Xavier Rudd
The Cat Empire
Morcheeba
John Prine
Jenny Lewis
Frank Turner
John Mayall
Buffy Sainte-Marie
The Marcus King Band
Walter Trout
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Greensky Bluegrass
Larkin Poe
The War & Treaty
Second round lineup announce
Lenny Kravitz
The Waterboys (Exclusive)
Jimmie Vaughan (Exclusive)
Eagles Of Death Metal
Zucchero (Exclusive)
Ani Difranco
Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles
Amadou & Mariam
The Allman Betts Band
Yola
Tal Wilkenfield
Joachim Cooder (Exclusive)
Steve ‘N’ Seagulls (Exclusive)
