Bluesfest 2017 Has Strongest First Announcement Ever

Bluesfest 2017 is off to its strongest start in years with what is their strongest first announcement in years.

For 2017 the legendary Patti Smith will perform her iconic album ‘Horses’, there are exclusive Bluesfest performances from Buddy Guy, Mavis Staples and Beth Hart, Ian Anderson will once again perform under the moniker of Jethro Tull, soul will come alive with Booker T performing the Stax Records Review and then there’s name like Bonnie Raitt, Rickie Lee Jones, Zac Brown, Joan Osbourne and The Lumineers.

Bluesfest director Peter Noble address fans in this statement

“Here it is my fellow Bluesfest friends – it’s finally arrived – the very first 2017 artist announcement for our 28th season and it’s hot off the press.

We are pleased and honoured to be announcing absolute legends, some of whom are ONLY playing at Bluesfest. In addition, we are presenting some of the most leading-edge contemporary artists of today, and of course, the return of much-admired favourites, including ones from Bluesfest 2016.

It must be hard to believe, but it is very true, that months, and in a few cases, years of work have gone into this artist announcement.
It has taken over three years to get the very in demand Patti Smith confirmed, a similar time also for Billy Bragg. Patti will perform her acclaimed album Horses in its entirety.

We will pay homage to the current King of the Blues, Buddy Guy who at 80 years old is still delivering incredible live performances. His two exclusive plays at Bluesfest will be the only opportunity to see him in Australia.

Same for Mavis Staples, who we are paying our huge respect to, over four exclusive performances. We love Mavis and so does her adoring audience.

The much requested Beth Hart will return for exclusive plays, plus one of the audience favourites from Bluesfest 2016, St. Paul & The Broken Bones are returning, playing three times at Bluesfest and gosh, we wish they were performing every one of our five days and nights.
Even in a year between tours of Australia, Paul and the guys have gone to another level. They are selling out theatres everywhere and played one of the main stages at Glastonbury 2016. If you haven’t yet seen them, you are missing the rise of what will surely be one of the world’s biggest bands. Paul is simply a great singer. Think Van Morrison in his youth….I exaggerate not.

There is so much more in this announcement, as well as the coming ones, which will be occurring on a regular basis.

To have the Zac Brown Band, The Lumineers, Laura Mvula, Andrew Bird, Turin Brakes, St. Paul & The Broken Bones and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue within one announcement, would be enough for many contemporary music festivals and would comprise their entire event.

For us, we are only getting started. With all the legendary artists on top, and Blues, Soul, Roots specialists right up there, this 25 artist announcement – our biggest first ever – is one we are very proud of.
I could ramble on for days.

But simple, check it all out and you will find Bluesfest 2017 is going to go down as one of our great ones…and you ain’t seen nothing yet.
And I mean it.”

Peter Noble OAM
Director
Byron Bay Bluesfest

The first 2017 Bluesfest artist announcement

Zac Brown Band
Patti Smith And Her Band Perform Horses
The Lumineers
Buddy Guy (Exclusive)
Bonnie Raitt  
Mavis Staples (Exclusive)
Billy Bragg
Jethro Tull
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Gregory Porter
Snarky Puppy
St. Paul & The Broken Bones
Beth Hart (Exclusive)
Laura Mvula
Roy Ayers
Booker T Presents The Stax Records Revue
Andrew Bird
Rickie Lee Jones
Joan Osborne
Turin Brakes
The Strumbellas
Jake Shimabukuro
Dumpstaphunk
Nikki Hill
Irish Mythen