Unless you find yourself part of an elite few, chances are you never got to see acts like Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley or Prince live. And it’s a damn shame. I personally am shattered by it. Though fortunately, Bluesfest are here to soothe the pain.
As they continue to establish themselves as one of Australia’s favourite festivals, Bluesfest have done us all a solid by booking an expectedly solid lineup featuring some real legends.
Bluesfest’s 2018 lineup is packing some real heavy hitters, though some might be more iconic than you realise.
If you’re a fan of rock ‘n’ roll, you’re probably a fan of Led Zeppelin. However, since drummer John Bonham’s death in 1980, whole generations have been left unable to see the original lineup of Zep live. Bluesfest, however, have gone and booked Led Zeppelin’s original lead singer Robert Plant and his new band The Sensational Space Shifters for a set at this year’s festival.
With his new project being influenced by psychedelic rock, roots blues, African music, and traditional folk; do yourself a favour and see this iconic voice in the flesh at Bluesfest.
In 1990, Prince released a record called Diamond and Pearls, producing more hits than any other Prince album since Purple Rain. This record was performed alongside a band Prince formed called The New Power Generation.
Since his death in 2016 many people, myself included, were never able to see one of Prince’s mesmerising live shows. It’s not too late however to see The New Power Generation live in person, because they too will be playing a set at this years Bluesfest.
Undoubtedly one of the most influential bands of all time are Bob Marley & The Wailers, having sold in excess of 250 million albums worldwide, scoring over 20 chart hits, including seven top 10 entries. Seeing Marley work his magic is no longer possible, following his 1981 death. Original member Aston “Family Man” Barrett is still touring The Wailers, and they’ll be bringing their infectious laid-back spirit to, you guessed it, Bluesfest.
When I was about six, I was introduced to blues music with a film called The Blues Brothers. It was bad-ass and it had a ripper soundtrack. While Jake and Elwood got in car chases with cops and drove Nazis off bridges, a whole lot of real good tracks were laid down courtesy of The Blues Brothers Band.
All original members of the band were hand-picked by John Belushi and Dan Akroyd, and they’ll be heading down under this March thanks, once again, to Bluesfest.
So, if you’re in the mood of being in the presence of legends, head yourself along to Bluesfest 2018. Book your tickets here.
