Bluesfest 2021 is back and stronger than ever. It’s kicking off October 1st, featuring Midnight Oil and a truckload of Aussie favourites.
The virus-that-shall-not-be-named has put Australia’s Bluesfest through hell and back. Last year’s event was obviously cancelled, then due to one local transmission, Bluesfest 2021 was forced to reschedule less than 24 hours before opening its gates.
It brings us immense joy to announce that the 32nd annual Bluesfest has a new date and a jaw-dropping lineup of staggering talent to match.
Bluesfest 2021: October edition
If you’re not up to speed with Bluesfest, the blues ‘n roots festival is one of Australia’s oldest running, most beloved celebrations of raw musicianship.
From its humble beginnings in 1990, the festival now takes place at the gorgeous Byron Events Farm (formally the Tygarah Tea Tree Farm), regularly drawing audiences of around 100,000.
The multi-day, multi-stage camping event will go over the October long weekend, beginning Friday, October 1st, and finishing on Sunday night. Now, onto the lineup.
It’s not the government’s fault Bluesfest isn’t a sporting event.
— Kailas Wild 🐨 (@kailaswild) April 1, 2021
The politically charged royalty act Midnight Oil will be headlining Friday night. It’s their 2nd Bluesfest headline performance, following their 2001 set. Since their reformation in 2017, festival director Peter Noble has been eager to land them on the bill again, and he’s delivered when we needed them most.
The Aussie rock legends are also releasing their first studio album in nearly 20 years around the Bluesfest date and will be performing songs off the new record, as well as their greatest hits. Buckle up.
Saturday night will feature two headline acts of cultural significance. Firstly, there’s Aussie folk-staple Paul Kelly, who’ll be gracing the stage for his 8th Bluesfest performance. As always, the ARIA Hall of Famer who wrote How To Make Gravy will be delivering a unique set, backed by his trusty band.
The second is Tash Sultana, whose kindred spirit and prodigious multi-tasking performing ability quickly garnered a mass following. Her debut record Terra Firma hit #1 on the ARIA album charts. Catch Happy Mag’s most recent interview with Tash here.
Bluesfest 2021 will conclude with Aussie music icon Jimmy Barnes, the frontman of Cold Chisel. Barnes has promised to ‘Barnestorm’ Bluesfest with an explosive set, jam-packed with tracks off his latest record, Flesh and Blood, as well as classic hits, which he has plenty of.
Tickets
Season tickets will be going on sale at 9:00 am on Thursday 20th May, via Moshtix.
3-day and 1-day tickets plus camping and VIP will also go on sale shortly. We’ll be sure to keep you updated with future announcements.
Full lineup
MIDNIGHT OIL
PAUL KELLY
TASH SULTANA
JIMMY BARNES
OCEAN ALLEY
ZIGGY ALBERTS
JOHN BUTLER
XAVIER RUDD
THE CAT EMPIRE
PETE MURRAY
MARK SEYMOUR & THE UNDERTOW
KATE CEBERANO
KASEY CHAMBERS
THE WAIFS
THE CHURCH
JON STEVENS
IAN MOSS
THE LIVING END
THE ANGELS
ROSS WILSON and THE PEACENIKS
RUSSELL MORRIS
TROY CASSAR-DALEY
BRIGGS
TEX PERKINS THE MAN IN BLACK
HIATUS KAIYOTE
KATE MILLER-HEIDKE
WEDDINGS PARTIES ANYTHING
THE BLACK SORROWS
THE BAMBOOS
CHAIN BACKSLIDERS
ASH GRUNWALD
MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA
VIKA & LINDA
JEFF LANG
NATHAN CAVALERI
MICK THOMAS’ ROVING COMMISSION
KIM CHURCHILL
HENRY WAGONS
JK-47
GARRETT KATO
MAMA KIN SPENDER
DAMI IM
PIERCE BROTHERS
EMILY WURRAMARA
THE BUCKLEYS
FIONA BOYES & THE FORTUNE TELLERS
RAY BEADLE
PACEY, KING & DOLEY
ALL OUR EXES LIVE IN TEXAS
HUSSY HICKS
ROSHANI
DECLAN KELLY
DANIEL CHAMPAGNE
LITTLE GEORGIA
LAMBROS.
ROUND MOUNTAIN GIRLS
THE REGIME
ELECTRIC LEMONADE
PALM VALLEY
BYRON BUSKING COMPETITION
