Bluesfest reveals its first-ever all-Australian artist announcement for next year’s festival
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19.08.2020

Bluesfest reveals its first-ever all-Australian artist announcement for next year’s festival

Words by Kate Streader

The festival is working with the government to ensure Bluesfest can go ahead safely in 2021.

Last month, Bluesfest revealed 50 of the acts set to take the stage at next year’s festival, including the likes of Patti Smith and Her Band, George Benson, Kool & The Gang, and many more. Now, the beloved Byron Bay festival has unveiled its second artist announcement for 2021.

Marking the festival’s first-ever all-Australian announcement, the second addition to next year’s lineup is stacked with homegrown talent including Tash Sultana, Ziggy Alberts, Kev Carmody, Ian Moss, Hiatus Kaiyote, Russell Morris, Briggs, Kim Churchill, Mama Kin Spender and All Our Exes Live In Texas.

After being forced to cancel this year’s event due to COVID-19, Bluesfest has lodged a COVID-19 Safety Plan with the government for its 2021 instalment in order to bring a safe Bluesfest experience to live music fans next year.

“There’s a number of all Australian lineup announcements to come that includes ‘real’ headliners, Indigenous artists and Blues n Roots artists. We are setting ourselves up to put on another great Bluesfest albeit in a brand new way,” said Festival Director Peter Noble OAM in an official statement.

“There will be challenges, and we expect to be presenting a festival with a lower capacity and potentially outdoors in order to have a safe event. It is sad for us to see that a number of festivals will not go ahead. However, we are working with government to present a safe event and be part of the return of ‘live’ music in this country.

“Whilst it is disheartening to hear that Woodford and Port Fairy Folk Festivals feel that the challenge of presenting is something they don’t want to take on right now, and which is totally understandable, it doesn’t mean that events cannot return, and I believe it is important for Bluesfest to be a part of that return and to help lead the way,” he said.

Bluesfest 2021 is happening from April 1-5, 2021. For tickets and more info, head to the Bluesfest website.

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