Seal, Michael Franti, Jackson Browne & More Join Byron Bay Bluesfest 2018 Line-up

24 October 2017 | 7:00 am | Staff Writer

Holy dooley, this is going to be huge.

More Seal More Seal

Byron Bay Bluesfest continues to mount an ever-more-impressive prospect for 2018's event, adding 16 more names to its already-enticing line-up, which features the likes of Robert Plant, Lionel Richie, The John Butler Trio, Tash Sultana and many more.

Joining the festivities at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm in April will be an array of acclaimed singers and musicians, including Senegalese legend Youssou N'Dour, UK soul icon Seal, Bluesfest favourite Michael Franti & Spearhead, lauded troubadour Jackson Browne and the freaking Original Blues Brothers Band.

Speaking of legends, Bluesfest has also secured the stylings of, among others, Bob Marley's revered band The Wailers, seminal blues'n'boogie outfit Canned Heat, reggae trailblazer Jimmy Cliff, celebrated US muso Jason Isbell and his band The 400 Unit, ascendant British artist Rag'n'Bone Man and a long-awaited return appearance from Walter Trout, who was due to tour our shores in 2014 but was forced to cancel due to medical necessity.

"Our second Bluesfest artist announcement features a cross-section of artists, from the greatest African artist of our time, to incredible singers — in a year [when] we already have such incredibly great singers already announced — to the best in Americana, reggae, blues and roots music, and more," festival director Peter Noble said in a statement. "From top to bottom, I am so proud of Bluesfest's new announcement of 16 amazing artists. When added to those already announced, and with more to come, it's going to be very special Bluesfest.

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"Each festival is a handcrafted labour of love. I work hard to present a truly world-class event, and I take pride in it being very special every year."

Safe to say that he's absolutely achieved that for the upcoming instalment, and we're not even through with all the goodness yet to be revealed before next year's event.

Speaking of, Bluesfest 2018 will be held from 29 March to 2 April. Festival and camping tickets are both on sale now; see the event's website or head to theGuide for more information.

Bluesfest 2018 — Second Artist Announcement

Youssou N'Dour
Seal
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Jackson Browne
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit
Gomez
Rag'n'Bone Man
The Original Blues Brothers Band
Jimmy Cliff
The Wailers
Benjamin Booker
Hurray For The Riff Raff
Canned Heat
Walter Trout
Andre Cymone
The Teskey Brothers

Joining…

Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters
Lionel Richie
The John Butler Trio
Tash Sultana
The New Power Generation
CHIC featuring Nile Rodgers
First Aid Kit
Jose Gonzalez
Morcheeba
Gov't Mule
Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real
The California Honeydrops
Eric Gales
Bobby Rush
Dumpstaphunk
Joe Louis Walker
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats