Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014 had well and truly blown away the competition, reigning tall as not only the self-admitted “greatest Bluesfest ever,” but as the most spectacular music event of 2014. Not enough for the organisers, their fifth Christmas-time lineup announcement has added Jeff Beck, KC & The Sunshine Band, Gov’t Mule, Chali 2na, Seth Lakeman, and more to the Bluesfest 2014 bill!
The first lineup brought punters the likes of John Mayer, John Butler Trio, and Erykah Badu, while the second announce delivered The Doobie Brothers and Gregg Allman, the third yielded Jack Johnson and Elvis Costello, and with the fourth came Buddy Guy, Jake Bugg and plenty more.
Now the fifth lineup announcement kicks off with the quintessential “guitar player’s guitar player,” Jeff Beck. Hailed as arguably the world’s greatest living guitarist and a continuing inspiration to generation after generation of musicians, this will be Jeff’s second stint at Bluesfest.
Disco legends KC And The Sunshine Band were previously announced for a string of official Bluesfest sideshows and will now be bringing their booty-shakin’ vibes, which they’ve been channeling since 1973, to Bluesfest proper, hauling 40 years of on-the-road experience in tow.
Fronted by singer-guitarist Warren Haynes, a member of legendary Southern rock band The Allman Brothers since 1989, Gov’t Mule are making their first trip to Australia in 14 years, and will be appearing at Bluesfest in addition to their sideshows with Gregg and Devon Allman.
The WAR movement began in 1969, when ex-Animals singer Eric Burdon released the now classic album Eric Burdon Declares WAR. 45 years later, they are icons of rock and roll, still playing an unmistakably eclectic and infectious mix of funk, rock, blues and roots music.
Australia’s own Kate Miller-Heidke will also be making an appearance. Commanding one of the most unique voices in any genre, Kate first turned heads with her 2007 debut, Little Eve, and now stands as one of the country’s most treasured modern songwriters and a respected performer.
Rounding out the Christmas announcement are Afrobeat masters Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Sly & Robbie and The TAXI Gang, who will be performing with Bitty Mclean, US country singer Jason Isbell, the mighty Chali 2na of the Jurassic 5 crew, and UK folk singer-songwriter Seth Lakeman.
Readers can check out the full Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014 lineup below. Stay tuned to all the Bluesfest 2014 news at our special Feed right here!
Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014 Lineup – Christmas Announcement
Jeff Beck
KC & The Sunshine Band
Gov’t Mule
WAR
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
Sly & Robbie and The TAXI Gang feat. Bitty Mclean
Jason Isbell
Chali 2na
Kate Miller-Heidke
Seth Lakeman
joining
John Mayer
John Butler Trio
Dave Matthews Band
Erykah Badu
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Iron & Wine
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Devendra Banhart
Morcheeba
Gary Clark Jr.
KT Tunstall
Allen Stone
Valerie June
Nikki Hill
Doobie Brothers
Aaron Neville
Gregg Allman
Boz Scaggs
India.Arie
Suzanne Vega
Steve Earle & The Dukes
Dr John & The Nite Trippers
Jamaican Legends Feat. Ernest Ranglin, Sly & Robbie, Bitty McLean
Jimmie Vaughan
The Wailers
Ozomatli
CW Stoneking
Larry Graham & Graham Central Station
Grandmothers of Invention
The Magic Band
Robben Ford
The Paladins
Music Maker Foundation Feat. Pat Wilder, Cool John Ferguson, and Little Freddie King
Jack Johnson
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Passenger
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Kasey Chambers
Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes
Trixie Whitley
The Soul Rebels
RocKwiz Live
Buddy Guy
Jake Bugg
The James Cotton Blues Band
Booker T. Jones
Charlie Musselwhite
Eric Bibb
Beth Hart
North Mississippi Allstars
Devon Allman
Walter Trout
Candye Kane Band feat. Laura Chavez
Saidah Baba Talibah
Easter Long Weekend – 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st April, 2014
Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, North of Byron Bay, NSW
Tix: Via Official Byron Bay Bluesfest Website or Ticketmaster
