Home » Australia Travel News » Bluesfest Byron Bay Prepares for Epic Final Festival with First Wave of Artist Announcements
Monday, August 26, 2024
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Bluesfest Byron Bay, Australia’s most iconic and highly awarded music festival, is thrilled to unveil the first wave of artists set to perform at the grand finale in 2025. The anticipation is building as the second wave of announcements is already in the pipeline.
This lineup promises to continue the tradition of showcasing some of the finest talent from Australia and around the globe. As the nation’s premier and most decorated music festival, we are proud to present four headline acts in this announcement, ensuring that the final Bluesfest stays true to its roots with a celebration of the best in Blues, Roots music, and beyond. We are pulling out all the stops to deliver a lineup that embodies everything Bluesfest stands for: world-class music, unforgettable performances, and a community that passionately supports live music.
Leading the charge, we’re excited to welcome back Crowded House. Neil Finn and his bandmates are legends in the global music scene, famous for timeless hits like “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and “Weather With You.” Having graced the Bluesfest stage before, their performances have become some of the most memorable in our history. Their latest album, Gravity Stairs, debuted at No. 1 on the Australian albums charts, and their live shows continue to draw massive crowds. We eagerly anticipate their return for the final Bluesfest.
Vance Joy, one of Australia’s brightest stars, is set to make his Bluesfest debut. Since captivating the world with his breakout hit “Riptide,” Vance Joy has garnered over 5 billion streams with hits like “Mess is Mine” and “Lay It On Me.” As one of the country’s most cherished singer-songwriters, we’re honored to have him join us for the festival’s grand finale.
Ocean Alley, another phenomenal Australian band, has taken the world by storm with their smooth grooves and psychedelic rock sound. Known for hits like “Confidence,” which has achieved 6x Platinum status, they have grown significantly since their first Bluesfest appearance in 2019, now standing as one of Australia’s biggest bands. Their live performances are unforgettable, and we’re thrilled to see them return to our stage.
Tones and I, who broke through as a busker and went on to global stardom, will also make her debut on the Bluesfest main stage. Her hit “Dance Monkey” became the most streamed song of all time by an Australian female artist, with over 12 billion streams. After being a special guest on Pink’s record-breaking 2024 tour, Tones and I has continued to sell out arenas. She promises to deliver the show of the year, and we can’t wait!
Another highlight is Gary Clark Jr., a modern-day Bluesman whose extraordinary talent transcends genres, blending Blues, Rock, Soul, and even Hip-hop. His searing guitar work and soulful voice have earned him multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance. Gary last played Bluesfest in 2019, where he delivered one of the most powerful sets we’ve ever seen. We’re ecstatic to have him return for the final festival.
Also joining the lineup is UK Neo-Blues soul superstar Rag’n’Bone Man, known for his global hit “Human”; Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, a young Blues sensation and Grammy winner; and RY X, an international star from North Coast NSW, whose deeply emotional performances have earned him global acclaim.
We’re also welcoming back two of the most requested artists from their 2024 performances: the high-energy eight-piece funk-rock band Here Come The Mummies and the 15-year-old guitar prodigy Taj Farrant, who took Bluesfest by storm last year. Other returning acts include 19-Twenty, Pierce Brothers, and WILSN, all of whom left fans wanting more in 2024.
Marc Broussard, with his powerful vocals and soulful performances, will bring his unique blend of Rock, Blues, and R&B to the Bluesfest stage. Cimafunk, the Cuban sensation, will make his debut, blending Funk, Soul, and Afro-Cuban rhythms, while The California Honeydrops will bring their infectious retro-soul energy to the festival.
Fanny Lumsden, one of Australia’s most esteemed country artists, known for her ARIA Award-winning albums and vibrant live shows, will also grace the stage. Neal Francis, with his intoxicating blend of Funk, Soul, and Rock, has solidified his status as a modern soul icon and will be joining this stellar lineup.
This is just the beginning of an absolutely stacked lineup. While we announce these incredible artists today, there’s much more to come as we finalize our second wave of artist announcements. Don’t miss the final Bluesfest—a festival that will be remembered for decades.
Bluesfest is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
