Wow, time is flying and we are coming up to our 28th Festival so fast, now only 65 days until Bluesfest opens its gates to welcome you with open arms.

We can’t wait to bring you our – next announcement and YES, it’s just around the corner!

One thing for sure: Bluesfest is packed full of artists, who shake it up and rock the world. They will leave you inspired, empowered and passion fuelled – to say the least AND the great thing is – we are not done yet.

Ticket Alert!   If you have your tickets in the bag jump right past this chapter but if you have friends who still have not bought theirs yet and you know they are coming, give them a little nudge! Note: All Buddy Packages (which include camping & festival for 2 people) including the 5 day, 3 day and single day Buddies are now SOLD OUT. Please note you can still buy individual festival and camping entry. Furthermore:   The hottest 2017 seller once again is the 5 day ticket, but the 3 day Fri/Sat/Sun ticket has become its biggest competition, and some other ticket types are now flying out the door. We recalculate our ticket allocations to accommodate these huge demands all the time. We have NOT increased our Festival ticket prices over the past months, as we attempt to make the experience affordable for everyone, whilst still delivering a huge line up. So if you want to come to Bluesfest for the 5 days, 3 days or even 1 day then lock your tickets in before they all get gobbled up or become more expensive. (Sorry, but we can’t say this enough). The next artist announcement is just around the corner, so prices are on the rise very shortly!

Camping at Bluesfest

Our campsite is filling up quickly, but right now you can still secure yourself a spot for the entire 5 day Festival (you can arrive on the Wednesday before the Festival & have 6 nights all up), or pick 3 nights to go with your 3 day ticket, or even just 1 night if you are only coming to Bluesfest for the day). The Bluesfest campground is located right in the heart of Bluesfest. If you are coming for the entire Festival, why not set yourself up with one of our hugely popular Tent motels? Arrive at the Festival and have your tent set up for you. There are not many Tent Motels left folks – click here to get more insight on the Tent Motels.

Update from the Pollstar Awards Your Festival Director Peter Noble attended the Pollstar Awards in LA last week. He had a great time attending and waving the flag for Australia. The incredible Glastonbury festival took home International Music Festival of the year once again, and we sincerely congratulate them. Our aim is to always bring Australia the very best festival possible, and who knows maybe next year will be the year we win.

Things are getting real … the FREE 2017 Bluesfest App is ready for download now!

Bluesfest is happy to launch the app for 2017.

Yes, you heard right – it’s free and it’s available right now to be downloaded to your android and / or iPhone.

You will be able to make the most of your Bluesfest experience with the free app which allows you to browse through all Bluesfest and Boomerang artists, learn more about this incredible lineup with bios and links to their socials pages for more details!

App features will include (with more exciting additions to come so stay tuned!):

• Daily Playing Schedule including a personal program creator with ALERTS (so you know to be where you want to be on time)
• An event map, travel options and FAQs to help you navigate your way through your festival experience
• Artist bios for each artist plus YouTube links
• Live updates and special promos

PLUS SO MUCH MORE – you are gonna love it!

HOW TO GET THE APP!

For Apple users you can download the app from the iTunes App Store here

For Android users you can download the app from Google Play here

If you already have the app downloaded on your device from the 2016 event, make sure you open it before this year’s event to update to the latest version and start planning your 2017 festival experience!

Please note that we will be also handing out complimentary programs and pocket playing schedules!

Bluesfest artists to shine at the GRAMMYS on February 12!

Some of your favourite Bluesfest artists are heading to The GRAMMYS on Sunday April 12 keep reading for details about what they have been nominated for, and where you can see their Bluesfest sideshows.

The Record Company nominated for Best Contemporary Blues album – Give It Back To You

Rock-and-soul trio The Record Company have scored a nomination with their debut album Give It Back To You. The lead single ‘Off The Ground’ spent two consecutive weeks on the US radio #1 charts, with Rolling Stone declaring them in the “10 new Artists You Need to Know”. Catch them in:

SYDNEY at the Newtown Social Club, Wednesday 19th April
MELBOURNE at the Northcote Social Club, Thursday 20th April
– also performing at Bluesfest 2017 –

Snarky Puppy nominated for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album – Culcha Vulcha

Snarky Puppy have gone from being the best kept secret to one of the most respected names in instrumental music. They seamlessly fuse a deep knowledge and respect for musical tradition with sonic and conceptual innovation. Catch them in:

MELBOURNE at the Melbourne Recital Centre, Sat April 8th 4pm (all ages)
MELBOURNE at the Melbourne Recital Centre, Sat April 8th 7:30pm (18+)
SYDNEY at the Enmore Theatre, Mon April 10th
– also performing at Bluesfest 2017 –

Gregory Porter nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album – Take Me to the Alley

Gregory Porter’s second album Liquid Spirit saw him take home a GRAMMY in this same category in 2014. This, his fifth nomination may prove a charm for the Californian jazz, soul and gospel singer.

After selling out shows in Sydney and Melbourne in September 2016, Gregory Porter will return to Australia in April; sharing what has been witnessed all around the world as “a room-bursting voice and a heart the size of a house” – SMH Catch him in:

MELBOURNE at the Melbourne Recital Centre, Tuesday April 11th
SYDNEY at the Enmore Theatre, Wednesday April 12th
– also performing at Bluesfest 2017 –

Gallant nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album – Ology

Gallant goes head to head with Beyonce, Rhianna and Anderson .Paak in his category so competiion is truly fierce. Gallant holds his own counting amongst his supporters Elton John and Seal; gracing stages from Coachella to the White House! Labeled as “breakthrough artist of 2015” and “the voice that will redefine R&B” by Billboard and NME respectively, the young Los Angeles artists identifies his music as future soul, bridging contemporary productions with old school songwriting. The sky is the limit for Gallant. Catch him on the rise in:

MELBOURNE at The Corner Hotel, Monday April 17th
SYDNEY at the Oxford Art Factory, Tuesday April 18th
– also performing at Bluesfest 2017 –

Rhiannon Giddens nominated for both Best American Roots Performance and Best Folk Album for Factory Girl

Already a GRAMMY-winning artist; Rhiannon Giddens came to fame as the lead singer of African-American folk interpreters Carolina Chocolate Drops. Incorporating country, gospel, jazz, blues and a hint of proto-rock n’ roll Giddens displays an emotional range to match her dazzling vocals. GIddens’ second solo album Factory Girl is up for an incredible two nominations.

SYDNEY – Factory Theatre, Saturday 8th April
MELBOURNE – The Corner Hotel, Tuesday 11th April
– also Performing at Bluesfest 2017

Patti Smith nominated for Best Spoken Word Album for M Train

Fans of Patti Smith have no doubt devoured her 2015 memoir M Train, but what they may not realise is that Patti herself voices the audiobook version. Patti’s inimitable voice and tone adds so much to her stories, it’s no surprise she was nominated for a GRAMMY for her performance.

Patti Smith and Her Band final Sydney concerts

State Theatre, Sydney NSW – SUN 9 APRIL 2017 – allocation exhausted
State Theatre, Sydney NSW – MON 10 APRIL 2017 – allocation exhausted
State Theatre, Sydney NSW – TUES 11 APRIL 2017 – selling fast

Patti Smith and Her Band final Melbourne concerts

Hamer Hall, Melbourne VIC – SUN 16 APRIL 2017 – allocation exhausted
Hamer Hall, Melbourne VIC – MON 17 APRIL 2017 – allocation exhausted
State Theatre, Melbourne VIC – TUE 18 APRIL 2017- allocation exhausted
Festival Hall, Melbourne VIC – THU 20 APRIL 2017 – on sale Monday January 23rd 10am AEDT.

Patti Smith and Her Band final festival appearances in Australia

Bluesfest Byron Bay – THU 13 APRIL 2017
Bluesfest Byron Bay – FRI 14 APRIL 2017