Byron Bay Bluesfest has dropped a bombshell on us today, unveiling its opening night headliner for 2022.
The Cat Empire will be capping off the Thursday night festivities with an historic set, marking the last time the band’s original lineup will take to the stage together after their two decade-spanning career.
“It’s going to be a magnificent celebration when The Cat Empire play their final ever show Easter Thursday at Bluesfest after 20 years, including an incredible 16 performances at Bluesfest in that time,” festival boss Peter Noble OAM said today.
“We always believed they would be a major band, everywhere, when we first saw them play at the Prince Bandroom, St Kilda, all those years ago, and booked them as a result. Now they are known and loved all over the world. It will be interesting to see what everyone from the original lineup does in future.
“Felix & Ollie have advised they will be launching The Cat Empire II soon … can’t wait, but meantime … we get to say ‘Goodbye, Goodbye’ before we say ‘Hello, Hello’ again.”
It comes after the band announced plans last month to close the door of their OG iteration with one final tour.
That’s not the only big news of the day, with the lineup ballooning out even further with the addition of Caravãna Sun and Tijuana Cartel.
They join the likes of Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly, Jimmy Barnes, The Teskey Brothers, Missy Higgins, Diesel and loads more.
Bluesfest had originally been rescheduled for October after its shock forced last-minute cancellation back in April, but organisers recently made the tough decision to scrap it as most of the country was plunged into extended lockdowns. It’s now been relocated to its normal Easter dates in 2022.
Catch the updated lineup & ticketing deets below!
Bluesfest 2022 – Rescheduled
All tickets on sale now
Friday, 15th April — Monday, 18th April 2022
Byron Events Farm Tyagarah, Byron Bay
Tickets: Moshtix
Bluesfest 2022 – Lineup
SIX60
HOODOO GURUS
BAKER BOY
RENEE GEYER
SAM TESKEY
KARA GRAINGER
JEFF MARTIN PLAYS THE SONGS OF LED ZEPPELIN
Joining:
The Teskey Brothers
Missy Higgins
Diesel
L.A.B
19-Twenty
Fools
Fat Freddy’s Drop
Josh Teskey & Ash Grunwald
John Williamson
C.W. Stoneking
Rockwiz Live
Joining…
Midnight Oil
Paul Kelly
Jimmy Barnes
John Butler
Xavier Rudd
Pete Murray
Mark Seymour & The Undertow
Kate Ceberano
Kasey Chambers
The Waifs
The Church
Jon Stevens
Ian Moss
The Living End
The Angels
Ross Wilson And The Peaceniks
Russell Morris
Troy Cassar-Daley
Briggs
Tex Perkins
The Man In Black
Hiatus Kaiyote
Kate Miller-Heidke
Weddings Parties Anything
The Black Sorrows
The Bamboos
Chain
Backsliders
Ash Grunwald
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Vika & Linda
Jeff Lang
Nathan Cavaleri
Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission
Kim Churchill
Henry Wagons
JK-47
Garrett Kato
Mama Kin Spender
Dami Im
Pierce Brothers
Emily Wurramara
The Buckleys
Fiona Boyes & The Fortune Tellers
Ray Beadle
Pacey, King & Doley
All Our Exes Live In Texas
Hussy Hicks
Roshani
Declan Kelly
Daniel Champagne
Little Georgia
Lambros.
Round Mountain Girls
The Regime
Electric Lemonade
Palm Valley
Byron Busking Competition
+ MORE TBA
