NEIL FINN JOINS THE BLUESFEST MONDAY LINE UP
PLUS
VINTAGE TROUBLE
NIC CESTER
PLAYING FOR CHANGE
ELLIS HALL |VASTI JACKSON
REMI
WILSON PICKERS
ROUND MOUNTAIN GIRLS
AUSTRALIAN UKULELE SHOW
IVY
Wednesday 22 February, Bluesfest is excited to announce that Neil Finn and his band are joining the Bluesfest line up. Finn, along with his bands Split Enz and Crowded House are responsible for some of Australia’s most beloved songs including ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’, ‘I Got You’, ‘Something So Strong’, ‘Better Be Home Soon’, ‘Weather With You’ and ‘Four Seasons in One Day’. It will be a magical Monday at Bluesfest indeed as Finn and his band end the festival with a set that will leave hearts full and faces smiling.
Vintage Trouble blew away Australian audiences with their blistering shows at the festival in 2016, leaving new fans in their wake, eager to see them again; so it’s with great pleasure Bluesfest can announce they will be back to rock the festival in 2017. Their brand new single ‘Knock Me Out’ was released in February; it’s anthemic, funky and will be electrifying live.
Nic Cester, front man of one of Australia’s most successful rock outfits of all time also joins this year’s Bluesfest line up. Jet made a massive splash on the world stage in 2003 with their debut album ‘Get Born” selling over 4.5 million copies, with the song “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” becoming one of the most recognisable rock songs of the era. Since retiring Jet in 2010 (re-forming in 2017 for a run of shows with Bruce Springsteen), Nic has lived between Italy and Germany, writing for his first solo album to be released in 2017. Backed by an exotic collection of Italian session players, strings and horns, the song writing retains the classic melodicism as the Jet hits, but takes a distinct left turn towards soul, glam and blues. Debuting his new songs for the very first time at Bluesfest, and backed by an outstanding band, one of Australia’s great vocalists, song writers and guitarists of the modern era is set to showcase what will become one of the most talked about albums of 2017
Playing For Change are more than a band, they are a movement, and one that has found a true affinity with Bluesfest audiences over the past four years they have played at the festival. Their first single ‘Stand By Me’ began with a Santa Monica street performer named Roger Ridley. Playing For Change recorded Ridley’s live public performance and then travelled the world recording more and more musicians to collaborate on the track. Today, the video has nearly 100 million views on YouTube, and has helped spread the organisation’s message of peace through music to the world. This year they are bringing two very special artists to play alongside them – Ellis Hall and Vasti Jackson.
Through the ages, there have been a number of famous blind African American male entertainers in Gospel, Blues, Soul and Pop but few as unilaterally gifted as Ellis Hall. He is a seasoned and accomplished vocalist in possession of a powerful 5-octave range. He has proven himself as an all-around performer that has entertained audiences on five continents, sharing stages with giants ranging from James Taylor, Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle and Toby Keith to Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Bobby Womack, George Duke and Sheila E. His reputation of excellence earned Ellis the moniker, “The Ambassador of Soul.”
World renowned guitarist, and vocalist, Grammy winner, Mississippi living blues legend, Cultural ambassador, 2012 Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame inductee, and 2015 Albert King Lifetime Guitar Award recipient – Vasti Jackson is a powerful force in the world of music. As an artist, Vasti is known for sweat-drenched, soul-ripping live performances marked by some of the most stunning, and innovative guitar playing today. He won the Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album at this year’s awards for The Soul of Jimmie Rodgers. Vasti’s stellar vocals, fiery guitar, and stage presence captures the audience, and leaves a lasting impression that celebrates the triumph of the blues, and the joy of rhythm that is soul satisfying to all that are lucky enough to experience his music.
Bluesfest is proud to welcome REMI to the festival stage for the first time in 2017. REMI and musical collaborator Sensible J are one of the fastest-rising hip hop acts in Australia and are quickly gaining the attention of international tastemakers. Their 2016 album Divas and Demons impressed critics, with Tone Deaf calling it “a landmark album for Australian Hip Hop” and Rolling Stone Australia awarding it four and a half stars saying “Demons purged, REMI can confidently survey what remains: a legit contender for Aussie album of the year.” They toured in support of Divas and Demons in 2016, whipping sold out crowds into frenzy across the country. Known for their emotionally raw and powerful lyrics along with heavy bass stabs, hip hop fans don’t miss what is sure to be an unforgettable introduction to Bluesfest audiences for this up and coming Australian talent.
The Wilson Pickers are welcomed back with open arms to Bluesfest in 2017. The Wilson Pickers are a three time ARIA Award nominated, five piece acoustic and vocal harmony group hailing from three separate states of Australia’s East Coast. Since forming in 2009 as a side project between John Bedggood, Andrew Morris, Sime Nugent, Ben Salter and Danny Widdicombe, the Pickers struck a major chord and became festival favourites around the country, renowned for their harmony singing and jovial attitude. Their 2016 album, You Can’t Catch Fish from A Train, is a triumphant return to the stage and studio after a five year hiatus while Danny recovered from leukaemia. Their shows are raucous, virtuosic; often spell binding and always a very good time.
Bluesfest is delighted to welcome the Round Mountain Girls back again in 2017. It’s been nearly a decade since the congregation of 40 something, part time musos got together in a shed on Round Mountain in the most northern part of NSW to play “a buncha old songs for a bit a fun”. Hundreds of shows later and the quintet have gone on to play some of Australia’s biggest stages at the nation’s biggest festivals including Woodford Folk Festival, The Gympie Muster and of course Bluesfest, cementing themselves as one of Australia’s premier alternative country rockers. Praised for their incredible work ethic, forever on the road sharing their unmistakable live show; fans can rejoice that 2017 will be no different, with a range of national and international dates rolling out in support of their newest album Meet You At The End. Undoubtedly Meet You At The End is Round Mountain Girls’ most elaborate and daring release yet. Fans can expect a mix of new material and old favourites in their Bluesfest sets this year.
The Australian Ukulele Show (TAUS) will take Bluesfest audiences on a wonderful musical journey acknowledging its people, events, and music of the great southern land. They pay homage to the Aboriginal people, the First fleet, icons such as Ned Kelly, Banjo Patterson, our ANZACS, Peter Allen, Keith Urban, The Bee Gees, Lee Kernaghan, John Farnham and much more. Featuring four artists on Ukulele and lead vocals, accompanied with a fantastic rhythm section and special didgeridoo performances, it is a powerful, funny, heart-warming show which is literally bringing people to tears when they see. TAUS is sure to be a special performance at this year’s Bluesfest.
Winners of last year’s Bluesfest busking comp IVY have been added to the line-up for 2017. Fuzzed out tones, soul drenched swagger, unrelenting howls, IVY hit you right in the goddamn feels. A modest 2015 saw IVY sweat the stage with You Am I, British India, tour the East Coast, refine their ridiculously danceable Rock ’n ’Roll show, release a couple of jams, score some Triple J airplay. 2016 got off to a flying start – Mountain Sounds Festival (Violent Soho, The Delta Riggs), Sweaty Palms Festival (Kingswood, Bootleg Rascal) Snowtunes Festival (w/ What So Not, Ball Park Music) and of course, opening the main stage of Byron Bay Bluesfest and winning the busking comp! 2017 will see the band release their second EP “Lady of Stone, and with more gigs to come IVY are a band on the rise.
All these incredible artists join other notable musicians including Santana, Jimmy Buffett, Zac Brown Band, Patti Smith, Mary J. Blige and The Lumineers on what is one of Australia’s most eclectic festival line ups. Bluesfest attendees will enjoy five days of music at the beautiful Tyagarah Tea Tree farm, just outside Byron Bay over Easter from April 13 – 17 2017. The festival is also home to food stalls and cool fashion from Byron and surrounding regions. Visitors can stay onsite in a range of camping options from BYO tents to Tent Motels and Tepees.
JOINING THE 2017 ARTISTS ALREADY ANNOUNCED:
SANTANA
JIMMY BUFFETT EXCLUSIVE
ZAC BROWN BAND
PATTI SMITH AND HER BAND PERFORM HORSES
PATTI SMITH AND HER BAND ACOUSTIC
MARY J. BLIGE
THE LUMINEERS
BUDDY GUY EXCLUSIVE
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS
MADNESS
BONNIE RAITT
MAVIS STAPLES EXCLUSIVE
BILLY BRAGG
COURTNEY BARNETT
BILLY BRAGG AND JOE HENRY
SIR ROSEVELT
JETHRO TULL
MILES ELECTRIC BAND
TROMBONE SHORTY AND ORLEANS AVENUE
RICKIE LEE JONES
GREGORY PORTER
SNARKY PUPPY
SLIGHTLY STOOPID
ST. PAUL & THE BROKEN BONES
CORINNE BAILEY RAE
BETH HART EXCLUSIVE
LAURA MVULA
MICHAEL KIWANUKA
ANDREW BIRD
RHIANNON GIDDENS
BOOKER T. PRESENTS THE STAX RECORDS REVIEW
EXPERIENCE JIMI HENDRIX
GALLANT
ROY AYERS
ERIC GALES
MUD MORGANFIELD
DEVON ALLMAN
MAX JURY
NAHKO AND MEDICINE FOR THE PEOPLE
TURIN BRAKES
BLIND BOY PAXTON
TREVOR HALL
JAKE SHIMABUKURO
DUMPSTAPHUNK
THE RECORD COMPANY
THE MOUNTAIN GOATS
TONY JOE WHITE
THE SUFFERS EXCLUSIVE
NIKKI HILL
THE CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS
JEFF LANG
RAY BEADLE AND THE SILVER DOLLARS
LLOYD SPIEGEL
JOAN OSBORNE
GLENN CARDIER AND THE SIDESHOW
DAVY KNOWLES
MELODY ANGEL
IRISH MYTHEN
THE STRUMBELLAS
Full artist bios
NEIL FINN
Millions of people are born in London, or Chicago, or Barcelona, but Neil Finn is not one of them. On 27 May 1958, he was born in Te Awamutu, New Zealand. At that time the country was as culturally isolated as it is geographically remote from the rest of the world. Musical entertainment in the Finn household and was often a homemade affair.
Neil and his elder brother Tim would be called upon to perform at their parents’ frequent parties, their mother Mary leading the fray at the piano.
Tim, six years Neil’s elder, unwittingly kicked it off, like a bike whose power nobody can guess at. With Phil Judd, a mate from Auckland University, he planted a strangely–‐shaped acorn called Split Enz, which grew into a multi–‐coloured jester of a band. Split Enz were everything New Zealand music of the time was not: uncompromisingly original, madly impassioned, artistically unfettered. They dressed bizarrely for gigs, and their stage act was outlandish and theatrical. To schoolboy Neil, they were heroes, up there with The Beatles and Elton John.
Neil’s presence in Split Enz altered the band’s dynamics. He penned “I Got You” for them, a simple pop hit, catchy as cricket. In contrast to their earlier prog rock bombast, it became a hit worldwide, and a rash of great songs ensued from the brothers Finn. Somehow, however, for all their artistic successes in the studio and onstage (their live performances have achieved near–‐mythical status amongst fans), Split Enz never quite hit the jumbo time. Australasia loved them, and so did Canada; America and Europe didn’t quite get it. Perhaps, though, that is not the point of a band like Split Enz–‐ they were always going to be too vital, too difficult, too clever, for the mainstream to embrace them fully.
In 1984, more than a decade after its inception, Tim left the band. The rest of the Enz briefly considered soldiering on, but decided finally to disband. Neil was left facing the difficult decision of what next to turn his talents to.
Recruiting Split Enz’ impish drummer Paul Hester and Nick Seymour on bass, Neil put together the core of Crowded House. Almost instantly he pulled out an enormous single–‐ “Don’t Dream It’s Over” was classic Neil, its huge chorus propelling it up the American charts. It remains far and away the band’s biggest American success, reaching #2 on the Billboard chart. The follow–‐up “Something So Strong” made #7.
The second Crowded House album Temple of Low Men contained “Better Be Home Soon”. Meanwhile, Crowded House were steadily building a loyal worldwide following on the strength of their stage shows. For the third Crowded House album, Neil and Tim collaborated on songs together, and 1991’s Woodface seems both a logical resolution of the brothers’ work, and a consolidation of the Crowded House sound. Woodface is stuffed full of top–‐ notch Finnery: “Weather With You” and “Four Seasons In One Day” are impeccably lovely; “It’s Only Natural” is perfect skinny pop; the band wig out on Tim’s funky “Chocolate Cake” and get away with it. The album was a great triumph in the UK and is often cited as one of the great albums of the 90’s.
“Fingers of Love” features on Together, Alone, the last Crowded House album proper. The record’s atmospheric sound–‐ scapes reflect the New Zealand surroundings in which it was recorded, and the influence of unorthodox British producer Youth.
In 1995 Neil and Tim cut an intimate album together, Finn. It seemed Neil had leanings towards a career outside Crowded House, and in 1996 he brought the band to a close. A “best of” album, Recurring Dream, was released to huge success and in 1998 Neil embarked on his solo career, with the provocatively–‐titled album Try Whistling This. Conceived in New Zealand and toughened up in New York, it showcases a darker and more experimental side of his talents.
1996 saw the concert of the decade at the Sydney Opera House, Crowded House farewelled the world in the best possible way. Passing through LA in the year of Pre–‐Millennium Tension, he hooked up with Tchad Blake, who mixed Neil’s debut solo album Try Whistling This (1998). “Neil, there’s some people I’d like you to meet”, Tchad bellowed. Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman, once upon a time the flower fairies of Prince’s paisley court, smiled at Tchad and the New Zealander. It was the start of a fruitful collaboration–‐ Wendy shares writing credits with Neil on five tracks on the new album, ‘One Nil’.
1999 turned to 2000. The Millennium Bug was a non–‐event, and meanwhile the new album was coming on apace. For the last leg of the album, everyone came over to Auckland. Also present were Jim Moginie, of Australian band Midnight Oil and drummer J.J. Johnson from the States. “I haven’t discovered fully what the Neil Finn sound is,” he reckons, “but I’m enjoying the exploration.” Neil then branched out into soundtrack composition, for the New Zealand film “Rain”.
In 2001 Neil invited some friends down to NZ to perform at the St James Theatre in Auckland under the name of 7 Worlds Collide. The performers included Ed O’Brien and Phil Selway (Radiohead), Johnny Marr (The Smiths), Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), Lisa Germano, Sebastian Steinberg (Soul Coughing), Tim Finn and Betchadupa. The album / DVD of the live performance was released and profits went to the Doctors without Borders charity.
2004 saw the second Finn Brothers release “Everyone is Here”. Both Neil and Tim share writing and performing credits and included were the songs “Won’t Give in” and “Nothing Wrong With You.
In 2006 Neil reformed Crowded House, recruiting Matt Sherrod on drums and the band released their first studio album in over 13 years “Time On Earth” and began a world tour lasting almost 18 months.
In 2010 a new studio album was released “Intriguer”, both “Time on Earth” and “Intriguer”, topping the album chart in Australia. “Time on Earth” delivered the hits “Pour le Monde”, “Don’t Stop Now” and the song the Dixie Chicks made known globally, co–‐written by Neil, “Silent House”. “Intriguer” featured “Saturday Sun”, “Either Side of the World” and “Amsterdam”.
In December 2008 several of the “7 Worlds Collide” line–‐up reconvened in Auckland to record the album “The Sun Came Out”, a charity album for Oxfam. This time the band Wilco and singer–‐songwriters KT Tunstall, Don McGlashan and Bic Runga, Liam and Elroy Finn were included.
2010 and Neil embarked on a new project, Pajama Club, with his wife Sharon and Sean Donnelly (SJD) and Alana Skyring, formally of The Grates. The band released a studio album in 2011 and toured internationally, on the back the lead track “Tell Me What You Want”. The album gave Neil another opportunity to experiment creatively. The band played Laneway and Womad Festivals early in 2012.
In 2012 and 2013, with wife Sharon (bass) and sons Liam (guitar) and Elroy (drums), Finn travelled in two bursts to producer Dave Fridmann’s Tarbox Road studio in upstate New York, to record songs composed at his Auckland studio, Roundhead, for what was to become his third solo album, “Dizzy Heights”. With Fridmann (Mercury Rev, The Flaming Lips), and in collaborations with young New Zealand musicians Connan Mockasin and SJD, Finn assembled a textured, heady sound, furnished and elevated by woozy strings and soaring vocals. “I didn’t want to make it a solo record in a stripped back singer–‐songwriter sort of way,” says Finn. “I had a feeling Dave would be good at adding some odd shapes to the music. Which I always welcome – making things a little more expansive … He is good at subverting things, and making things sound a bit messed up and not as obvious, rather than being too tasteful, which is always a temptation.”
Dizzy Heights came out globally through Kobalt in February 2014, and he toured the album extensively around the world, including several sold out shows at the Sydney Opera House and London’s Royal Festival Hall. Neil Is currently working on a new record.
VINTAGE TROUBLE
“Vintage Trouble made you feel every sweaty note, a full-tilt, damn the torpedoes showcase” – Star Telegraph
“The band is the real deal, playing old-school rhythm and blues mixed with a bit of rock, pulling off some amazing stage antics and some outfits lifted right from the fifties.” – The Scene Magazine
Vintage Trouble blew away Australian audiences with their blistering sets at the festival in 2016, leaving new fans in their wake, eager to see them again so it’s with great pleasure Bluesfest can announce they will be back to rock the festival in 2017. Their brand new single ‘Knock Me Out’ was released in February 2017, it’s anthemic , funky and will be electrifying live.
The band has performed on such television shows as Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Conan, Jimmy Kimmel Live and Later…with Jools Holland as well as supporting Brian May, Bon Jovi, The Rolling Stones & The Who.
Their performance on Later… with Jools Holland was one of the most talked about of the year, blowing up Twitter as the 6th most tweeted topic worldwide just hours after it aired. The very next day, their self-released debut, The Bomb Shelter Sessions (2012), entered the charts at No. 1 R&B Album, No. 2 Rock Album, and No. 13 on iTunes. The Bomb Shelter Sessions also earned praise from NPR, Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal & Billboard. Their first video, ‘Nancy Lee’, filmed entirely with an iPhone, won at the Original iPhone Film Fest, not just taking the Music Video category, but the festival’s grand prize as well.
On the back of touring with AC/DC in 2015, Vintage Trouble’s album 1 Hopeful Rd smashed worldwide charts, hitting No. 2 on the iTunes Rock Album Chart, No. 14 on the UK Album Charts, & the single ‘Strike your Light’ is No. 1 in Japan. Vintage Trouble has continued to tour non-stop, playing numerous festivals, including Bonnaroo, Coachella & SXSW; their impromptu acoustic Glastonbury set was one of the 2014 festival’s most talked about events.
Since their formation , the self-branded “Trouble Makers” have built an immense, fervent fan base with their brand of live-wired, straight-shootin, dirty-mouth’d, pelvis-pushing juke music, don’t miss out as they take Australia by storm again in 2017.
NIC CESTER
Nic Cester, former front man of one of Australia’s most successful rock outfits of all time also joins this year’s Bluesfest line up. Jet made a massive splash on the world stage in 2003 with their debut album ‘Get Born” selling over 4.5 million copies, with the song “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” becoming one of the most recognisable rock songs of the era. Since retiring Jet in 2010 (re-forming in 2017 for a run of shows with Bruce Springsteen), Nic has lived between Italy and Germany, writing for his first solo album to be released in 2017. Backed by an exotic collection of Italian session players, strings and horns, the song writing retains the classic melodicism as the Jet hits, but takes a distinct left turn towards soul, glam and blues. Debuting his new songs for the very first time at Bluesfest, and backed by an outstanding band, one of Australia’s great vocalists, song writers and guitarists of the modern era is set to showcase what will become one of the most talked about albums of 2017.
PLAYING FOR CHANGE
Playing For Change are more than a band, they are a movement, and one that has found a true affinity with Bluesfest audiences over the past four years they have played at the festival. Their first single ‘Stand By Me’ began with a Santa Monica street performer named Roger Ridley. Playing For Change recorded Ridley’s live public performance and then travelled the world recording more and more musicians to collaborate on the track. Today, the video has nearly 100 million views on YouTube, and has helped bring the organisation’s message of peace through music to the world.
The creation of the Playing For Change Band has allowed the group to realise their dream of uniting the musicians they meet across the globe. A unique fusion of influences and talents in constant evolution since 2008, the PFC Band is a tangible, traveling representation of their mission to connect the world through music. The Playing For Change band has performed over 300 concerts in over 13 countries, including being one of the first to perform in Argentina’s DirectTV Arena, a tour in Brazil headlining for an audience of 35,000, and a tour in Australia as the opening act for Robert Plant. 2017 marks the 5th year the band will take the stage at Byron Bay Bluesfest.
“If you’re not dancing and grinning like a loon at this one, well, get your ears checked,
baby.” – Lauren Daley
“Playing For Change, that’s the way music was meant to be.” – Keith Richards
“It is always an honor and a privilege to collaborate with Playing For Change. This organization elevates the world with music, and inspires me to be a better human.” – Sara Bareilles
ELLIS HALL
Through the ages, there have been a number of famous blind African American male entertainers in Gospel, Blues, Soul and Pop but few as unilaterally gifted as Ellis Hall. What other man can claim to have written 3,800 songs, sung at the funeral of Helen Keller at St.Patrick’s Cathedral in New York and before Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, been a member of Oakland Soul band Tower of Power and a lead voice for the animated California Raisins, been nominated for an Ovation Theatre Award for his first stage role in “The Gospel At Colonus” (in which he sang, acted, and walked the stage and stair props mostly unattended), and penned the official song of the city where he grew up: Claxton, Georgia? Welcome to the unprecedented greatness of Ellis Hall.
When it comes to music, Ellis Hall does it all. He is a seasoned and accomplished vocalist in possession of a powerful 5-octave range. He is a songwriter, arranger, producer and educator that teaches clinics in which he records all the parts of a song in 45 minutes. Ellis’ first instrument was drums before he went on to master piano, keyboards, guitar and – his favourites- upright and electric bass. Across a career of 40-plus years and counting, Ellis Hall has proven himself as an all-around performer that has entertained audiences on five continents, sharing stages with giants ranging from James Taylor, Natalie Cole, Patti LaBelle and Toby Keith to Herbie Hancock, George Benson, Bobby Womack, George Duke and Sheila E. His reputation of excellence earned Ellis the moniker, “The Ambassador of Soul.”
“Who is that guy? What’s his name? He’s great!” – Former United States President Bill Clinton
“One of the most incredible talents I’ve ever worked with.” – Maurice White, Earth, Wind, & Fire
VASTI JACKSON
World renowned guitarist, and vocalist, Grammy winner, Mississippi living blues legend, Cultural ambassador, 2012 Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame inductee, and 2015 Albert King Lifetime Guitar Award recipient – Vasti Jackson is a powerful force in the world of music. As an artist, Vasti is known for sweat-drenched, soul-ripping live performances marked by some of the most stunning, and innovative guitar playing today. He won the Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album at this year’s awards for The Soul of Jimmie Rodgers. Vasti’s stellar vocals, fiery guitar, and stage presence captures the audience, and leaves a lasting impression that celebrates the triumph of the blues, and the joy of rhythm that is soul satisfying to all that are lucky enough to experience his music.
Vasti’s firey guitar work and stellar vocals leave a lasting impression on all that are lucky enough to see him.” – Marc Stone, Off Beat
REMI
Bluesfest is proud to welcome REMI to the festival stage for the first time in 2017. REMI and musical collaborator Sensible J are one of the fastest-rising Hip Hop acts in Australia and are quickly gaining the attention of international tastemakers. REMI’s first big success came from the hugely successful single Livin’, released in 2014. Their 2016 album Divas and Demons impressed critics, with Tone Deaf calling it “a landmark album for Australian Hip Hop” and Rolling Stone Australia awarding it four and a half stars saying “Demons purged, REMI can confidently survey what remains: a legit contender for Aussie album of the year.”
They toured in support of Divas and Demons in 2016, whipping sold out crowds into a frenzy across the country. REMI have also shared the stage with Danny Brown, Vic Mensa, De La Soul, Joey Bada$$, Blackalicious, Hiatus Kaiyote and were invited to perform Gorillaz tracks with Damon Albarn on each of his Australian Tour shows. With features across international media such as Okay Player, Billboard, NME, MTV Iggy, NPR and shout outs from the likes of Hip Hop luminaire Chuck D, REMI’s appeal is as diverse as it is impressive.
Known for their emotionally raw and powerful lyrics along with heavy bass stabs, Hip Hop fans don’t miss what is sure to be an unforgettable introduction to Bluesfest audiences for this up and coming Australian talent.
Remi Kolawole might just be the artist to prove Australia is more than a one hip-hop wonder. The charismatic 23-year-old MC (he performs as Remi) is one of Australia’s hottest properties right now, and that’s no hype
– Billboard US
There’s no artist in Australia – hip hop or otherwise – producing music that’s as admirably confident or accessibly progressive as that featured on Raw X Infinity. REMI’s fit for stardom, and he knows it. – Tone Deaf.
“REMI is a consummate performer. He’s impossibly slick and completely unafraid to shake what his mama gave him (seriously, this dude’s got moves). He knows how to whip the crowd into a frenzy. There’s nowhere for this young artist to go but up. Betting against REMI would be a fool’s move. He’s got the goods”.
WILSON PICKERS
Bluesfest is very happy to welcome back The Wilson Pickers to the festival in 2017. The Wilson Pickers are a three time ARIA Award nominated, five piece acoustic and vocal harmony group hailing from three separate states of Australia’s East Coast. Since forming in 2009 as side project between John Bedggood, Andrew Morris, Sime Nugent, Ben Salter and Danny Widdicombe, the Pickers struck a major chord and became festival favorites around the country, renowned for their harmony singing and jovial attitude. Their 2016 album, You Can’t Catch Fish from A Train, is a triumphant return to the stage and studio after a five year hiatus while Danny recovered from leukaemia. Their shows are raucous, virtuosic, often spell binding and always a very good time.
“You get the strong sense these guys play for the thrill of creating communal music together and the chemistry between their voices is a natural fit while still allowing their individual personalities to shine.” The Music
ROUND MOUNTAIN GIRLS
Bluesfest is delighted to welcome the Round Mountain Girls back again in 2017. It’s been nearly a decade since the congregation of 40 something, part time musos got together in a shed on Round Mountain in the most northern part of NSW to play “a buncha old songs for a bit a fun”. Hundreds of shows later and the quintet have gone on to play some of Australia’s biggest stages at the nation’s biggest festivals including Woodford Folk Festival, The Gympie Muster and of course Bluesfest, cementing themselves as one of Australia’s premier alternative country rockers.
Praised for their incredible work ethic, forever on the road sharing their unmistakable live show; fans can rejoice that 2017 will be no different, with a range of national and international dates rolling out in support of their newest album Meet You At The End. Undoubtedly Meet You At The End is Round Mountain Girls’ most elaborate and daring release yet. Fans can expect a mix of new material and old favourites in their Bluesfest sets this year.
AUSTRALIAN UKULELE SHOW
The Australian Ukulele Show (TAUS) will take Bluesfest audiences on a wonderful musical journey acknowledging its people, events, and music of the great southern land. They pay homage to the Aboriginal people, the First fleet, icons such as Ned Kelly, Banjo Patterson, our ANZACS, Peter Allen, Keith Urban, The Bee Gees, Lee Kernaghan, John Farnham and much more. Featuring four artists on Ukulele and lead vocals, accompanied with a fantastic rhythm section and special digeridoo performances. It is powerful, funny, heart warming and is literally bringing people to tears when they see it, it is sure to be a special performance at this year’s Bluesfest.
IVY
Winners of last year’s Bluesfest busking comp IVY have been added to the line up for 2017. Fuzzed out tones, soul drenched swagger, unrelenting howls, IVY hit you right in the goddamn feels. A modest 2015 saw IVY sweat the stage with You Am I, British India, tour the East Coast, refine their ridiculously danceable rock’n’roll show, release a couple of jams, score some Triple J airplay and continue writing for their EP, due for release mid year – with producer Ryan Hazell (Green Buzzard, The Drones, The Snowdroppers)
2016 got off to a flying start – Mountain Sounds Festival, Sweaty Palms Festival, Snowtunes and of course, opening the main stage of Byron Bay Bluesfest and winning the busking comp! With more gigs to come in 2017 IVY is a band on the rise.
“The re-emergence of rock I’m currently going crazy for” – Dave Ruby Howe – Triple J Unearthed
