The second major round of artists to perform at the 21st Anniversary Bluesfest has today been announced! Australia’s most awarded and internationally renowned festival officially will be held at its permanent new home – at the Tyagarah Tea Tree farm just off the Pacific Highway, 12 minutes north of Byron Bay. The Easter weekend dates for your diary are Thursday April 1 through to Monday April 5, 2010!
Festival goers should also note that the new and updated playing schedule is now online, and one day tickets are now also on sale – just visit www.bluesfest.com.au to see it all. This announcement marks the first time so many artists (over 50) have been unveiled this early, along with the playing schedule – giving fans more time than ever to plan their Easter holidays.
The second Bluesfest announcement for 2010 includes: The Fray, John Butler Trio, Jools Holland & His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Taj Mahal, John Mayall Matisyahu, Angus & Julia Stone, 10cc, Bebel Gilberto, Rodriguez, Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Ross Wilson’s Five Decades Of Cool, The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker, Josh White Jr, Patty Larkin and The Greencards.
The new names join the major artists announced in October which included: Crowded House, Buddy Guy, Roger Hodgson from Supertramp, Gipsy Kings, Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club®, Jeff Beck, Lyle Lovett, RocKwiz, Jimmy Barnes Plays the Rhythm & the Blues, Jessica Mauboy, The Swell Season, Newton Faulkner, Dr John & the Lower 911, Bčla Fleck’s African Project Featuring Oumou Sangarč & band, Blue King Brown, Al Di Meola World Sinfonia, Gogol Bordello, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Joe Bonamassa, Peter Green & friends, The Flatlanders, Avett Brothers, Justin Townes Earle, Renee Geyer, Colin Hay Band, Old Crow Medicine Show, Lil Band o’ Gold, Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express, AND Robert Gordon & the Gang They Couldn’t Hang - featuring Chris Spedding (Roxy Music), Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), and Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats).
As well as joining those in the very special November Jack Johnson announcement: Jack Johnson, Donavon Frankenreiter, Ozomatli, Galactic, A.L.O (Animal Liberation Orchestra), Matt Costa, Zee Avi, and Neil Halstead.
Womadelaide 2010 The Armada, Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, Ethiopiques, Babylon Circus and Ojos de Brujo live @ Botanic Park, Adelaide, SA (5-8 March 2010)
Future Music Festival 2010 Empire of the Sun, Franz Ferdinard, Prodigy, Way Out West and more live @ Sydney, NSW (March 2010)
It’s too hard to pick one, we love festivals. In no particular order: Playing the big Dance Arena at Glastonbury 2008, Main Stage Good Vibrations 2007, Splendour in the Grass 2007, Big Day Out 2009...I could go on and on.
What would be your Ideal Lineup? One stage with David Bowie, Queen (we’d have to bring Freddie back from the dead), Daft Punk, The Cure, Bloc Party, Prince & Bon Jovi (yes, Bon Jovi). There would be DJ sets in between by Sven Vath, Boys Noize and me old mate Ajax.
Favourite artist you've seen at a Music Festival? Daft Punk, David Bowie & Bloc Party
What are your tips for attending Music Festivals? Enter with an open mind and leave with a twisted one.