2012 – BLUESFEST
November 14th 2011 21:07
Link: www.bluesfest.com.au
2012 – BLUESFEST
One look at the star studded array of artists confirms that BLUESFEST 2012 is on track to deliver yet another red-hotFestival.
“This 1st announcement isour big launch for 2012” comments Festival Director Peter Noble, “We certainlyhave hit our groove with the festival and continue to grow our recognition athome and internationally. BLUESFEST 2012 will include plenty of exclusiveperformances that are not to be missed. “
Thisis the first in a series of exciting announcements to come.
This year the Festival leads off withsome massive names in Blues, Rock, Country & Progressive Rock, rounded offwith some funk magic and guitar wizardry.
The 23rd BLUESFEST willtake place between Thursday 5th of April and Monday 9thof April at its permanent festival home at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm just outside ofByron Bay.
Tickets are on sale now through www.bluesfest.com.au orby phoning the BLUESFEST office on 02 6685 8310.
HOW’S THIS FOR STARTERS:
ROGERDALTREY
Performs The Who’s Tommy & More
EARTHWIND & FIRE
THEPOGUES
JOHNBUTLER TRIO
MYMORNING JACKET
YES
G3 featuringJOE SATRIANI, STEVE VAI AND STEVE LUKATHER
BUDDYGUY - MACEO PARKER
BRIANSETZER’S ROCKABILLY RIOT!
KENNYWAYNE SHEPHERD - JONNY LANG
YANNTIERSEN - BETTYE LAVETTE
STEVEEARLE – JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
TROMBONESHORTY
GREATBIG SEA - THE JAYHAWKS
ROGER DALTREY performsThe WHO’s Tommy & More
Roger Daltrey, the iconic lead singer of The WHO, willperform The WHO’s legendary rock opera TOMMY from start to finish. The Who never played the completeTOMMY.
Beyond the majesty of TOMMY, each night music fans will also be treated to avariety of WHO’s Classics and more.
Employing the use of striking visuals to accompany themusic, every show will be an unforgettable concert experience for lifelong fansand newcomers alike.
Rock And Roll Hall of Fame inductee Roger Daltreyis pulling out all the stops with a full backing band that will bring the rockopera’s wide-ranging sounds and textures to life vibrantly on stage.
Roger Daltrey also played the title role of the filmTommy, based on the same name record album.
Pete Townshend, commenting on the tour says ''Greatto see Roger performing TOMMY with his band. I will be there in spirit, andRoger has my complete and most loving support.
The WHO have sold an incredible 100 million records worldwide including 7 Top10 Australian albums. Expect to hear a selection of the classics “I Can See ForMiles”, “Pictures Of Lily”’ “I’m A Boy”, “Substitute”, “Magic Bus”, “Won’t GetFooled Again”, “Squeezebox”, “Who Are you” as well as the classic “MyGeneration”.
“…Daltrey brings devastating powerof ‘Tommy’ to life in great live show…a truly amazing, mind-blowing;over-the-top performance…an audio orgasm backed by subliminal visuals.” -Boston Globe
"...andhis chops haven't sounded this powerful in years." - The Guardian
“…it was...heartening to hearDaltrey…sing his history with grizzled power and heart-on-sleeve sincerity.” --Newark Star Ledger
ROGER DALTREY: rock singer, icon, legend - he is one not to miss at BLUESFEST 2012.
EARTH WIND &FIRE
Get ready for areal treat.
Earth, Wind andFire, soul-funk superstars & multiple Grammy awardwinners, took the world of music by storm with their infectious blend of rhythmand blues, rock, and soul—a sound destined to be imitated by many groups, butnever successfully duplicated by any. Celebrating over 40 years of globalsuccesses, EWF features the sublime Philip Bailey on lead vocals alongsideoriginal members, Verdine White (bass) and Ralph Johnson. Hear themperform their hits: “Shining Star”, “That’s The Way Of The World”, “Sing ASong”, “September”, “Boogie Wonderland”, “After The Love Has Gone” and manymore.
No doubt EarthWind & Fire’s show at BLUESFEST will have you dancing from start tofinish.
THE POGUES
Lock upyour Mothers. The Pogues are coming to town!
The Celticpunk, folk punk legends, fronted by Shane MacGowan, were founded in London’sKings Cross and named their band Pogue Mahone – Gaelic for “Kiss My Arse”. They last toured Australia in 1989. The23 year wait to see The Pogues perform classic hits like “Dirty OldTown”, “Fairytale Of New York”, “If I Should Fall From Grace With God”, “LoveYou Till The End” will soon be over. Five years after the band decided to call last drinks they have reconvenedwith their front man MacGowan refreshed, yet as wild as ever, and this BLUESFESTwill bring their own brand of fiery, literate Celtic punk rock to Australia.
This BLUESFESTshow will be a hell of a lot of fun and extremely entertaining.
JohnButler Trio
John Butler is an absolute Bluesfestfavourite! He has become a defining artist at Bluesfest moving from the smallerstages to today, where he headlines Bluesfest’s main stage. He is someone verymuch at home at Bluesfest.
Looking back: In 1998 John Butler wasbusking solo on the streets of Fremantle, WA. Fast forward 14 years and he hasbecome Australia’s most successful independent artist with his own label,Jarrah Records, scoring a staggering 1 million CD sales. John Butler is also a3 time ARIA award winner.
It’s an immense pleasure to welcomeJohn Butler back to Bluesfest.
MY MORNING JACKET
MyMorning Jacket will make their long-awaited BLUESFEST debut in2012.
MMJformed at the tail-end of the 1990s: the group took shape, drawing upon theirrich knowledge of classic rock, country, soul and psychedelia, and spinningthese influences into fresh, life-affirming rock’n’roll and aching, hauntingballadry.
In the wake of this release of their6th studio album, Circuital,BLUESFEST is proud to welcome My MorningJacket on to the field of blues for the very first time.
Their live performance will have you in the palm of their hand in no timeat all.
YES
YEShave just released their first new album in 10 years “Fly From Here”. They arewithout doubt the best progressive rock band ever and have not toured Australiafor a decade.
Rock your memory lane with hits like“Owner Of A Lonely Heart”, “Roundabout”, And You And I”, “Long DistanceRunaround”, “I’ve Seen All Good People” and so many more. YES – the worlds’ most quintessential prog-rock band is bringingtheir surreal musical powerhouse to the spiritual home that is BLUESFEST – forone special appearance.
G3 featuring JOE SATRIANI, STEVE VAI AND STEVE LUKATHER
G3 (JoeSatriani, Steve Vai and Steve Lukather) -featuring individual sets by eachplayer and culminating with the, now 'infamous', "G3 jam."
JoeSatriani – guitar hero & G3 founderis acknowledged as one of the most technically accomplished and respectedplayers in the history of rock music, with over 10 million record sales and astaggering 14 Grammy nominations to his credit.
SteveVai - guitar virtuoso – GrammyAward winner. He’s a former pupil of Satrianiwhose breathtaking facility on the guitar is hailed in the rock world asunique, compelling and uplifting. He has over 15 million in sales and over adozen Grammy nominations to his credit.
Their special guest on this G3 tour is Steve Lukather- founder member of TOTO. 30 million plusrecords sold - 5 Grammy Awards as both artist and producer – he’s been sessionman on over 1500 records in all styles of music, from Michael Jackson'sThriller to Miles Davis, Earth Wind and Fire, Cheap Trick, Paul McCartney,George Harrison, Don Henley, Alice Cooper, Elton John, Eric Clapton, LarryCarlton (they won a Grammy together in 2001) and so many more.
These 3 great guitar virtuosos willbe trading licks and wailing solos across the field of Blues this Easter. Letthe Blues ROCKKKK !!! – the guitarheroes are coming to BLUESFEST !!
BUDDY GUY
There are great guitarists...superstar guitarists...legendary guitarists... and then there is Buddy Guy.
A BLUESFEST favourite ... and anabsolute legend!!!
“BuddyGuy was for me... what Elvis was for others”, said Eric Clapton... and hewasn’t alone in following his ‘mentor’
“BuddyGuy plays from a place that I’ve never heard anyone play” - Stevie RayVaughan.
Jimi Hendrix once said: “Heaven islying at BUDDY GUY’s feet whilelistening to him play guitar”.
BLUESFEST....welcome to heaven ....BUDDY GUY is here!
MACEO PARKER
Maceo Parker – Legend!
Hisname is synonymous with Funky Music, his pedigree impeccable; his band: thegreatest little funk orchestra on earth.
He’splayed alongside every funk leader, James Brown, George Clinton, Bootsy Collinsand Prince.
Infact ever since JB coined that phrase: “Maceo – I want you to blow !!” , Maceo Parker has been blowing thatfamous sax funk sound across the globe, collaborating with the likes of RayCharles, Dave Matthews Band, James Taylor and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
It’salmost impossible to tell which came first, Maceo or The Funk!
We’veseen him before at BLUESFEST in 2008– so let’s welcome him back - all togethernow:
MACEO – WE WANT YOU TO BLOW!!!
BRIAN SETZER’S ROCKABILLY RIOT!
The undisputed King of Rockabilly Swing, BRIAN SETZER first rocked us with his 50’s rockabilly revivalgroup, The Stray Cats – with their hits “Stray Cat Strut” & “Rock This Town”.He never lost that feel and passion for all things revivalist and once againknocked the world out with his jazz-oriented big band The Brian Setzer Orchestra. Withthe rockabilly passions running high he dragged Slim Jim Phantom back into thefold to play with his Brian Setzer’sRockabilly Riot! outfit.
Comb that hair... beehives, quiffs and dancin shoes a must ...It’srockin... it’s rockabilly ... its gonna be a riot at BLUESFEST!
KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD
The guitar driven, blues prodigy,Kenny Wayne Shepherd , is coming to BLUESFEST.
KennyWayne Shepherdwas given his first guitar at 3 years old, was playing by 7 and onstage by 13when he decided to make a career of it. Since then Kenny Wayne has made6 studio albums, 3 of which are platinum selling. Praise comes thick and fastfor this multi-Grammy nominee, who has earned himself a swag of awards.
Relish thechance to kick back and experience Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s unique bluesinfused rock at BLUESFEST this Easter.
JONNY LANG
Long-timeBLUESFESTERS will remember that ‘JonnyLang moment’ way back in 2000: the wiry young teenager with thevoice of a grizzled ole bluesman, growling through seminal blues songs andspitting out wailing solos – a kid far more mature than his years should allow.Finally Jonny is back for BLUESFEST 2012, – and if current track record isanything to go by – then get ready for your 2012 ‘Jonny Lang moment’.
YANN TIERSEN
Classical composer, virtuoso performer, streetentertainer, rock musician – Genius!!?? You’ll have to see him to believe the vast scope that thisFrench avant-garde performer has mastered. YannTiersen wrote the soundtrack for the multi awarded film “Amelie”.
This classically trained multi-instrumentalist willshock even his most fanatical fans with his live performance and transfix eventhe most unenthused amongst the crowd.
“It was one ofthose rare moments at a live gig when you realise you've been in the presenceof greatness”. - Michael Hubbard, Music OMH
With a live review such as this ...how excited are we that Yann Tiersenis heading to BLUESFEST for the very first time?? !! The answer is ...VERY!!!
BETTYE LAVETTE
The High Priestess of R & B
Grammy Award nominee Bettye LaVette is one of the great soul singers. She possesses an expressivevoice that one moment will exude a formidable level of strength and intensityand the next will appear vulnerable, reflective, reeking of heartbreak.
Coupled to this she possess an innate ability to take a song andwring its heart out with soulful intensity. Bettye revitalizes songs bylegendary artists like Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Elton John, Mick Jagger,Stephen Winwood and many more. Her skilful reworkings expose the humanity thatmakes the tracks not just pop songs, but enduring works.
Discovered and signed to the legendary MOTOWN label when she was16,it hasn’t been an easy ride for Bettye. It took 20 years to get her firstalbum released – and then almost nothing was released until the breakthroughalbum ‘Souvenirs’ in 2000.
Her career has gone only one way since then... up! AWC Handy award for ‘Comeback Blues Album of The Year’ (2003) and a Living Bluescritic pick as ‘Best Female Artist in 2004 for starters.
Elton John (whose "Talking Old Soldiers" appeared on herGrammy nominated album The Scene Of The Crime) offers this endorsement: "Bettye LaVette has always been awonderful singer - I have been a huge fan for many years. To my delight andsurprise she recorded an amazing version of 'Talking Old Soldiers' - a songthat nobody else has covered - and made it her own."
Music Industry magazine Pollstarwrites: Sometimes it takes a long time for the spotlight to find you. Justask Bettye LaVette who waited 40 years for her turn – but boy is she making upfor lost time now.”
A big welcome to Bluesfest BETTYE LAVETTE!
STEVE EARLE
Singer-songwriter, actor, author,political activist, producer –SteveEarle is one of life’s great troubadours! Steve Earle hasn’twandered this BLUESFEST way for a number of years. In fact, it’s been three albums and three Grammy Awards -sincehe graced the BLUESFEST stage with his musical tall tales and true. To go withthis new album I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive Steve Earle has embarked on aseemingly endless tour (thankfully for us) ...and we are lucky and proud to have him return to the BLUESFEST stage for 2 performances,which he has fit in between filming his role in the TV series ‘Treme’, which is about New Orleans sinceHurricane Katrina and how the people there deal with its aftermath.
JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
29-year-old singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle has some serious musical heritage tolive up to. He is the son of a multi-Grammy-winning US country singer, actor,political activist and long-time BLUESFEST favourite Steve Earle (also performing at BLUESFEST).After his standout show at BLUESFEST 2010 he is fast becoming a festivalfavourite. Be warned, he has the power to seduce an audience with hischarismatic storytelling and turn curious listeners into die-hard followerswith his live performances.
TROMBONE SHORTY
Withouta doubt the find of BLUESFEST 2011. TromboneShorty has become the sensation of New Orleans music scene from playing to20,000 fans at Jazz fest to claiming the No 1 spot on the Billboard Jazz chart.This gumbo of New Orleans – Funk – Jazz – rock is totally unique and many inthe music industry pick him as the next big thing. A superstar in themaking. Absolutely don’t miss thisone.
THE GREAT BIG SEA
Great Big Sea is a bastard .... by their ownadmission. Some of Canada’s favourite sons giving Australia their first everperformance. A musical partnership forged in the harsh lands and rowdy pubs ofSt Johns, Newfoundland – yes NEW-F-F- -F- FOUND-LAND !!. where co-founders SeanMcCann and Bob Hallett met while playing traditional folk songs. Now, 17 years and9 studio albums later – Great Big Sea have won over a global audiencefor their eclectic mix of traditional Newfoundland folk and original songs. “Ourmusic is of Newfoundland,” explains McCann. “It would be impossibleto do what we do if we were fromanywhere else. “Our songs come from the sea and the cliffs and the rocks and all the other natural beauties ourcountry provides. Without her we simplycouldn’t exist.” But this is no ordinary ‘seashanty’ band. Their influences range from Bob Marley, The Clash, andJohnny Cash to Fergus O’Byrne and Donal Lunny. Their relentless touring andtheir raucous live shows have meant an ever growing ‘Great Big Sea’ of fans, allcaptivated by the obvious and genuine love for the music GBS perform. Let’swelcome this Great Big Sea bastard to BLUESFEST !!
THE JAYHAWKS
Once described as “Hank Williams on speed” The Jayhawks emerged with full force inthe mid 1980’s with their unique brand of American alternative country rock –alt rock style. The group quicklyturned into one of the most important bands of the post-punk era, contributinga staggering number of original songs and memorable live shows to theMinneapolis music scene.
This is set to be a special show for Jayhawks fans and a memorableperformance for a-many future Jayhawksenthusiasts, capturing a rarefied dynamism and fresh take on theirunmistakable graceful and bold sounds at BLUESFEST 2012.
.... and this is just the beginning!! Watch out for moreannouncements soon !!
One look at the star studded array of artists confirms that BLUESFEST 2012 is on track to deliver yet another red-hotFestival.
“This 1st announcement isour big launch for 2012” comments Festival Director Peter Noble, “We certainlyhave hit our groove with the festival and continue to grow our recognition athome and internationally. BLUESFEST 2012 will include plenty of exclusiveperformances that are not to be missed. “
Thisis the first in a series of exciting announcements to come.
This year the Festival leads off withsome massive names in Blues, Rock, Country & Progressive Rock, rounded offwith some funk magic and guitar wizardry.
The 23rd BLUESFEST willtake place between Thursday 5th of April and Monday 9thof April at its permanent festival home at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm just outside ofByron Bay.
Tickets are on sale now through www.bluesfest.com.au orby phoning the BLUESFEST office on 02 6685 8310.
HOW’S THIS FOR STARTERS:
ROGERDALTREY
Performs The Who’s Tommy & More
EARTHWIND & FIRE
THEPOGUES
JOHNBUTLER TRIO
MYMORNING JACKET
YES
G3 featuringJOE SATRIANI, STEVE VAI AND STEVE LUKATHER
BUDDYGUY - MACEO PARKER
BRIANSETZER’S ROCKABILLY RIOT!
KENNYWAYNE SHEPHERD - JONNY LANG
YANNTIERSEN - BETTYE LAVETTE
STEVEEARLE – JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
TROMBONESHORTY
GREATBIG SEA - THE JAYHAWKS
ROGER DALTREY performsThe WHO’s Tommy & More
Roger Daltrey, the iconic lead singer of The WHO, willperform The WHO’s legendary rock opera TOMMY from start to finish. The Who never played the completeTOMMY.
Beyond the majesty of TOMMY, each night music fans will also be treated to avariety of WHO’s Classics and more.
Employing the use of striking visuals to accompany themusic, every show will be an unforgettable concert experience for lifelong fansand newcomers alike.
Rock And Roll Hall of Fame inductee Roger Daltreyis pulling out all the stops with a full backing band that will bring the rockopera’s wide-ranging sounds and textures to life vibrantly on stage.
Roger Daltrey also played the title role of the filmTommy, based on the same name record album.
Pete Townshend, commenting on the tour says ''Greatto see Roger performing TOMMY with his band. I will be there in spirit, andRoger has my complete and most loving support.
The WHO have sold an incredible 100 million records worldwide including 7 Top10 Australian albums. Expect to hear a selection of the classics “I Can See ForMiles”, “Pictures Of Lily”’ “I’m A Boy”, “Substitute”, “Magic Bus”, “Won’t GetFooled Again”, “Squeezebox”, “Who Are you” as well as the classic “MyGeneration”.
“…Daltrey brings devastating powerof ‘Tommy’ to life in great live show…a truly amazing, mind-blowing;over-the-top performance…an audio orgasm backed by subliminal visuals.” -Boston Globe
"...andhis chops haven't sounded this powerful in years." - The Guardian
“…it was...heartening to hearDaltrey…sing his history with grizzled power and heart-on-sleeve sincerity.” --Newark Star Ledger
ROGER DALTREY: rock singer, icon, legend - he is one not to miss at BLUESFEST 2012.
EARTH WIND &FIRE
Get ready for areal treat.
Earth, Wind andFire, soul-funk superstars & multiple Grammy awardwinners, took the world of music by storm with their infectious blend of rhythmand blues, rock, and soul—a sound destined to be imitated by many groups, butnever successfully duplicated by any. Celebrating over 40 years of globalsuccesses, EWF features the sublime Philip Bailey on lead vocals alongsideoriginal members, Verdine White (bass) and Ralph Johnson. Hear themperform their hits: “Shining Star”, “That’s The Way Of The World”, “Sing ASong”, “September”, “Boogie Wonderland”, “After The Love Has Gone” and manymore.
No doubt EarthWind & Fire’s show at BLUESFEST will have you dancing from start tofinish.
THE POGUES
Lock upyour Mothers. The Pogues are coming to town!
The Celticpunk, folk punk legends, fronted by Shane MacGowan, were founded in London’sKings Cross and named their band Pogue Mahone – Gaelic for “Kiss My Arse”. They last toured Australia in 1989. The23 year wait to see The Pogues perform classic hits like “Dirty OldTown”, “Fairytale Of New York”, “If I Should Fall From Grace With God”, “LoveYou Till The End” will soon be over. Five years after the band decided to call last drinks they have reconvenedwith their front man MacGowan refreshed, yet as wild as ever, and this BLUESFESTwill bring their own brand of fiery, literate Celtic punk rock to Australia.
This BLUESFESTshow will be a hell of a lot of fun and extremely entertaining.
JohnButler Trio
John Butler is an absolute Bluesfestfavourite! He has become a defining artist at Bluesfest moving from the smallerstages to today, where he headlines Bluesfest’s main stage. He is someone verymuch at home at Bluesfest.
Looking back: In 1998 John Butler wasbusking solo on the streets of Fremantle, WA. Fast forward 14 years and he hasbecome Australia’s most successful independent artist with his own label,Jarrah Records, scoring a staggering 1 million CD sales. John Butler is also a3 time ARIA award winner.
It’s an immense pleasure to welcomeJohn Butler back to Bluesfest.
MY MORNING JACKET
MyMorning Jacket will make their long-awaited BLUESFEST debut in2012.
MMJformed at the tail-end of the 1990s: the group took shape, drawing upon theirrich knowledge of classic rock, country, soul and psychedelia, and spinningthese influences into fresh, life-affirming rock’n’roll and aching, hauntingballadry.
In the wake of this release of their6th studio album, Circuital,BLUESFEST is proud to welcome My MorningJacket on to the field of blues for the very first time.
Their live performance will have you in the palm of their hand in no timeat all.
YES
YEShave just released their first new album in 10 years “Fly From Here”. They arewithout doubt the best progressive rock band ever and have not toured Australiafor a decade.
Rock your memory lane with hits like“Owner Of A Lonely Heart”, “Roundabout”, And You And I”, “Long DistanceRunaround”, “I’ve Seen All Good People” and so many more. YES – the worlds’ most quintessential prog-rock band is bringingtheir surreal musical powerhouse to the spiritual home that is BLUESFEST – forone special appearance.
G3 featuring JOE SATRIANI, STEVE VAI AND STEVE LUKATHER
G3 (JoeSatriani, Steve Vai and Steve Lukather) -featuring individual sets by eachplayer and culminating with the, now 'infamous', "G3 jam."
JoeSatriani – guitar hero & G3 founderis acknowledged as one of the most technically accomplished and respectedplayers in the history of rock music, with over 10 million record sales and astaggering 14 Grammy nominations to his credit.
SteveVai - guitar virtuoso – GrammyAward winner. He’s a former pupil of Satrianiwhose breathtaking facility on the guitar is hailed in the rock world asunique, compelling and uplifting. He has over 15 million in sales and over adozen Grammy nominations to his credit.
Their special guest on this G3 tour is Steve Lukather- founder member of TOTO. 30 million plusrecords sold - 5 Grammy Awards as both artist and producer – he’s been sessionman on over 1500 records in all styles of music, from Michael Jackson'sThriller to Miles Davis, Earth Wind and Fire, Cheap Trick, Paul McCartney,George Harrison, Don Henley, Alice Cooper, Elton John, Eric Clapton, LarryCarlton (they won a Grammy together in 2001) and so many more.
These 3 great guitar virtuosos willbe trading licks and wailing solos across the field of Blues this Easter. Letthe Blues ROCKKKK !!! – the guitarheroes are coming to BLUESFEST !!
BUDDY GUY
There are great guitarists...superstar guitarists...legendary guitarists... and then there is Buddy Guy.
A BLUESFEST favourite ... and anabsolute legend!!!
“BuddyGuy was for me... what Elvis was for others”, said Eric Clapton... and hewasn’t alone in following his ‘mentor’
“BuddyGuy plays from a place that I’ve never heard anyone play” - Stevie RayVaughan.
Jimi Hendrix once said: “Heaven islying at BUDDY GUY’s feet whilelistening to him play guitar”.
BLUESFEST....welcome to heaven ....BUDDY GUY is here!
MACEO PARKER
Maceo Parker – Legend!
Hisname is synonymous with Funky Music, his pedigree impeccable; his band: thegreatest little funk orchestra on earth.
He’splayed alongside every funk leader, James Brown, George Clinton, Bootsy Collinsand Prince.
Infact ever since JB coined that phrase: “Maceo – I want you to blow !!” , Maceo Parker has been blowing thatfamous sax funk sound across the globe, collaborating with the likes of RayCharles, Dave Matthews Band, James Taylor and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
It’salmost impossible to tell which came first, Maceo or The Funk!
We’veseen him before at BLUESFEST in 2008– so let’s welcome him back - all togethernow:
MACEO – WE WANT YOU TO BLOW!!!
BRIAN SETZER’S ROCKABILLY RIOT!
The undisputed King of Rockabilly Swing, BRIAN SETZER first rocked us with his 50’s rockabilly revivalgroup, The Stray Cats – with their hits “Stray Cat Strut” & “Rock This Town”.He never lost that feel and passion for all things revivalist and once againknocked the world out with his jazz-oriented big band The Brian Setzer Orchestra. Withthe rockabilly passions running high he dragged Slim Jim Phantom back into thefold to play with his Brian Setzer’sRockabilly Riot! outfit.
Comb that hair... beehives, quiffs and dancin shoes a must ...It’srockin... it’s rockabilly ... its gonna be a riot at BLUESFEST!
KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD
The guitar driven, blues prodigy,Kenny Wayne Shepherd , is coming to BLUESFEST.
KennyWayne Shepherdwas given his first guitar at 3 years old, was playing by 7 and onstage by 13when he decided to make a career of it. Since then Kenny Wayne has made6 studio albums, 3 of which are platinum selling. Praise comes thick and fastfor this multi-Grammy nominee, who has earned himself a swag of awards.
Relish thechance to kick back and experience Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s unique bluesinfused rock at BLUESFEST this Easter.
JONNY LANG
Long-timeBLUESFESTERS will remember that ‘JonnyLang moment’ way back in 2000: the wiry young teenager with thevoice of a grizzled ole bluesman, growling through seminal blues songs andspitting out wailing solos – a kid far more mature than his years should allow.Finally Jonny is back for BLUESFEST 2012, – and if current track record isanything to go by – then get ready for your 2012 ‘Jonny Lang moment’.
YANN TIERSEN
Classical composer, virtuoso performer, streetentertainer, rock musician – Genius!!?? You’ll have to see him to believe the vast scope that thisFrench avant-garde performer has mastered. YannTiersen wrote the soundtrack for the multi awarded film “Amelie”.
This classically trained multi-instrumentalist willshock even his most fanatical fans with his live performance and transfix eventhe most unenthused amongst the crowd.
“It was one ofthose rare moments at a live gig when you realise you've been in the presenceof greatness”. - Michael Hubbard, Music OMH
With a live review such as this ...how excited are we that Yann Tiersenis heading to BLUESFEST for the very first time?? !! The answer is ...VERY!!!
BETTYE LAVETTE
The High Priestess of R & B
Grammy Award nominee Bettye LaVette is one of the great soul singers. She possesses an expressivevoice that one moment will exude a formidable level of strength and intensityand the next will appear vulnerable, reflective, reeking of heartbreak.
Coupled to this she possess an innate ability to take a song andwring its heart out with soulful intensity. Bettye revitalizes songs bylegendary artists like Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Elton John, Mick Jagger,Stephen Winwood and many more. Her skilful reworkings expose the humanity thatmakes the tracks not just pop songs, but enduring works.
Discovered and signed to the legendary MOTOWN label when she was16,it hasn’t been an easy ride for Bettye. It took 20 years to get her firstalbum released – and then almost nothing was released until the breakthroughalbum ‘Souvenirs’ in 2000.
Her career has gone only one way since then... up! AWC Handy award for ‘Comeback Blues Album of The Year’ (2003) and a Living Bluescritic pick as ‘Best Female Artist in 2004 for starters.
Elton John (whose "Talking Old Soldiers" appeared on herGrammy nominated album The Scene Of The Crime) offers this endorsement: "Bettye LaVette has always been awonderful singer - I have been a huge fan for many years. To my delight andsurprise she recorded an amazing version of 'Talking Old Soldiers' - a songthat nobody else has covered - and made it her own."
Music Industry magazine Pollstarwrites: Sometimes it takes a long time for the spotlight to find you. Justask Bettye LaVette who waited 40 years for her turn – but boy is she making upfor lost time now.”
A big welcome to Bluesfest BETTYE LAVETTE!
STEVE EARLE
Singer-songwriter, actor, author,political activist, producer –SteveEarle is one of life’s great troubadours! Steve Earle hasn’twandered this BLUESFEST way for a number of years. In fact, it’s been three albums and three Grammy Awards -sincehe graced the BLUESFEST stage with his musical tall tales and true. To go withthis new album I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive Steve Earle has embarked on aseemingly endless tour (thankfully for us) ...and we are lucky and proud to have him return to the BLUESFEST stage for 2 performances,which he has fit in between filming his role in the TV series ‘Treme’, which is about New Orleans sinceHurricane Katrina and how the people there deal with its aftermath.
JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
29-year-old singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle has some serious musical heritage tolive up to. He is the son of a multi-Grammy-winning US country singer, actor,political activist and long-time BLUESFEST favourite Steve Earle (also performing at BLUESFEST).After his standout show at BLUESFEST 2010 he is fast becoming a festivalfavourite. Be warned, he has the power to seduce an audience with hischarismatic storytelling and turn curious listeners into die-hard followerswith his live performances.
TROMBONE SHORTY
Withouta doubt the find of BLUESFEST 2011. TromboneShorty has become the sensation of New Orleans music scene from playing to20,000 fans at Jazz fest to claiming the No 1 spot on the Billboard Jazz chart.This gumbo of New Orleans – Funk – Jazz – rock is totally unique and many inthe music industry pick him as the next big thing. A superstar in themaking. Absolutely don’t miss thisone.
THE GREAT BIG SEA
Great Big Sea is a bastard .... by their ownadmission. Some of Canada’s favourite sons giving Australia their first everperformance. A musical partnership forged in the harsh lands and rowdy pubs ofSt Johns, Newfoundland – yes NEW-F-F- -F- FOUND-LAND !!. where co-founders SeanMcCann and Bob Hallett met while playing traditional folk songs. Now, 17 years and9 studio albums later – Great Big Sea have won over a global audiencefor their eclectic mix of traditional Newfoundland folk and original songs. “Ourmusic is of Newfoundland,” explains McCann. “It would be impossibleto do what we do if we were fromanywhere else. “Our songs come from the sea and the cliffs and the rocks and all the other natural beauties ourcountry provides. Without her we simplycouldn’t exist.” But this is no ordinary ‘seashanty’ band. Their influences range from Bob Marley, The Clash, andJohnny Cash to Fergus O’Byrne and Donal Lunny. Their relentless touring andtheir raucous live shows have meant an ever growing ‘Great Big Sea’ of fans, allcaptivated by the obvious and genuine love for the music GBS perform. Let’swelcome this Great Big Sea bastard to BLUESFEST !!
THE JAYHAWKS
Once described as “Hank Williams on speed” The Jayhawks emerged with full force inthe mid 1980’s with their unique brand of American alternative country rock –alt rock style. The group quicklyturned into one of the most important bands of the post-punk era, contributinga staggering number of original songs and memorable live shows to theMinneapolis music scene.
This is set to be a special show for Jayhawks fans and a memorableperformance for a-many future Jayhawksenthusiasts, capturing a rarefied dynamism and fresh take on theirunmistakable graceful and bold sounds at BLUESFEST 2012.
.... and this is just the beginning!! Watch out for moreannouncements soon !!
| 17 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
