Bluesfest Unveils First 2021 Artist Line-up Feat. Bon Iver, Patti Smith & More

Byron Bay Bluesfest has today unveiled its huge first artist line-up for the 2021 event.  

Headlining the much-loved festival, which will be held from 1-5 April next year, will be Bon Iver, Patti Smith & Her Band and Jimmy Barnes. 

They'll be joined by George Benson, Kasey Chambers, The Teskey Brothers, John Butler, Xavier Rudd, The Cat Empire, Kool & The Gang and more. 

Weddings Parties Anything are also set to reform for their first show since 2012.

See the full line-up below.

"When Bluesfest 2020 was ordered by the Government to shut-down 2020 we immediately put our noses to the grindstone within days of the cancellation and got on with 2021," said festival director Peter Noble OAM. 

"This artist announce is a testament to that fortitude. As this country’s most highly awarded music festival, we are working with government to find the best possible outcomes for Bluesfest 2021. We want to present another great event, one that is safe and with best-practise protocols implemented on every level.  We need it, the music industry needs it and the greater community needs it. Together we will find the most prudent pathway to revive the live music industry, an industry that is aching to get back to work ASAP. 

"I am so grateful to all the international artists who want to return and be a part of 2021 Bluesfest, to all the Australian artists and to everyone in our industry supporting us in leading the way back to live music. Above all my thanks go to the resilient Bluesfest team who have been dedicated through what has been the hardest time yet we have experienced in presenting a music festival. 

"Bluesfest 2021 will be much more than the music on stage and the wonderful audience along with all those who present it. It will be an integral part of the return of the live music industry."

Bluesfest have assured that a second artist announcement will follow sometime in spring. 

Tickets for the festival are on sale now, head to theGuide for all the info. 

Bluesfest 2021 Line-up

BON IVER
PATTI SMITH AND HER BAND
JIMMY BARNES
GEORGE BENSON
THE TESKEY BROTHERS
JOHN BUTLER
XAIVER RUDD
THE CAT EMPIRE
KOOL & THE GANG
THE GIPSY KINGS
KASEY CHAMBERS
THE WAIFS
TROY CASSAR-DALEY
MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD
THE WAILERS PERFORM SONGS FROM ‘LEGEND’
LP
MORCHEEBA
THE BLACK SORROWS
TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE
TORI KELLY
BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE
THEMARCUS KING BAND
CHRISTONE “KINGFISH” INGRAM
JIMMIE VAUGHAN
JOHN MAYALL
MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA
CHAIN
LARKIN POE
WEDDINGS, PARTIES, ANYTHING – exclusive show
BACKSLIDERS
HARTS PLAYS HENDRIX
ASH GRUNWALD
THE WAR & TREATY
CORY HENRY & THE FUNK APOSTLES
WALTER TROUT
THE BAMBOOS
MICK THOMAS’ ROVING COMMISSION
DAMI IM
PIERCE BROTHERS
EMILY WURRAMARA
ROSHANI
RAY BEADLE
HENRY WAGONS
HUSSY HICKS
PACEY, KING & DOLEY
DANIEL CHAMPAGNE
NATHAN CAVALERI
LITTLE GEORGIA
BLUESFEST BUSKING COMPETITION & WINNERS
THE AUSTRALIAN AMERICANA MUSIC HONOURS

Jimmy Barnes

Kasey Chambers

The Teskey Brothers

John Butler

The Cat Empire

Weddings Parties Anything

Xavier Rudd