[gtranslate]
News

Bon Iver, Patti Smith, and Jimmy Barnes among star-studded Bluesfest 2021 lineup

As COVID-19 restrictions have left us itching to get to a live gig, Bluesfest has just given us something to look forward to. 

The festival has revealed their first lineup announcement for 2021, which features a bunch of fantastic artists that were originally set to perform at the cancelled 2020 festival

Patti Smith Bluesfest
Patti Smith

Patti Smith, Jimmy Barnes, and Bon Iver are among the star-studded bill set to perform at Bluesfest 2021. 

While many festivals have decided to adopt an all-Aussie bill lineup for their late 2020 and early 2021 editions, Bluesfest is taking the risk of signing on a number of international acts, including Patti Smith and her band, Bon Iver, Cory Henry and the Funk Apostles, and George Benson.  In regards to the risk that international acts may not be able to come due to travel restrictions, festival director Peter Noble stated: 

“If we find that the internationals can’t come, we will add more Aussies. If we find the internationals can come, we might add more internationals. What our team is dedicated to doing is everything it takes to present Bluesfest Easter 2021 in a manner where it will be our most legendary festival yet.”

Aussie favourites on the bill include Jimmy Barnes, John Butler, Xavier Rudd, and The Cat Empire. 

In March, festival organisers confirmed the dates for their 2021 edition, which is set to take place between April 1 to 5. It has also been revealed that 60 artists have been confirmed for the festival, with a second artist announcement expected by September. 

Tickets for Bluesfest 2021 are on sale now.

Bluesfest 2021 first announcement lineup 

ASH GRUNWALD

BACKSLIDERS

THE BAMBOOS

THE BLACK SORROWS

BON IVER

BUFFY SAINT-MARIE

THE CAT EMPIRE

CHAIN

CHRISTONE “KINGFISH” INGRAM

CORY HENRY & THE FUNK APOSTLES

DAMI IM

DANIEL CHAMPAGNE

EMILY WIRRAMARA

GEORGE BENSON

THE GYPSY KINGS

HARTS PLAYS HENDRIX

HENRY WAGONS

HUSSY HICKS

JIMMIE VAUGHAN

JIMMY BARNES

JOHN BUTLER

JOHN MAYALL

KASEY CHAMBERS

KOOL & THE GANG

LARKIN POE

LITTLE GEORGIA

THE MARCUS KING BAND

MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA

MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD

MICK THOMAS’ ROVING COMMISSION

MORCHEEBA

NATHAN CAVALERI

PACEY, KING & DOLEY

PATTI SMITH AND HER BAND

PIERCE BROTHERS

RAY BEADLE

ROSHANI

THE TESKEY BROTHERS

TORI KELLY

TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE

TROY CASSAR-DALEY

THE WAIFS

THE WAILERS

WALTER TROUT

THE WAR & TREATY

WEDDINGS, PARTIES, ANYTHING

XAVIER RUDD