Bluesfest Sideshows Announced For the Doobie Brothers, Soul Rebels (w/ GZA and Talib Kweli) and more

October 13, 2022

Byron Bay Bluesfest organisers have announced sideshows for two of the drawcards on its 2023 bill: The Doobie Brothers and The Soul Rebels with special guests GZA and Talib Kweli. The Doobie Brothers – currently touring with the classic lineup of Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald and John McFee – will play two consecutive shows at the State Theatre in Sydney, on Wednesday, 5th and Thursday, 6th April.

The Soul Rebels will be playing at Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall on Wednesday, 5th April and the Enmore Theatre in Sydney on Thursday, 6th April. As with their Bluesfest appearances, they’ll be joined onstage by GZA from the Wu-Tang Clan and Talib Kweli. Robert Glasper will also be performing his own set at both sideshows. Tickets for the Doobie Brothers and the Soul Rebels shows will go on sale Thursday, 20th October.

Watch GZA and the Soul Rebels’ Tiny Desk Concert

Bluesfest has also revealed additions to some of their already-announced sideshows. Allison Russell will join Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit for shows in Sydney and Melbourne, while Vintage Trouble will join Marcus King‘s concerts in Sydney and Melbourne. Blues and roots rockers Larkin Poe have also announced rescheduled dates for their Australian tour which was supposed to take place last year. See those dates below.

The Bluesfest 2023 lineup expanded earlier this month with the addition of the Doobie Brothers along with Counting Crows, Allison Russell, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and more. They joined 41 acts already announced on the 2023 lineup, including Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, Lucinda Williams, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Joe Bonamassa and more.

Next year’s edition of the festival will run from Thursday, 6th April to Monday, 10th April 2023, at its usual home of Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm in Byron Bay. See the full list of Bluesfest 2023 sideshows here.