GenQ Music

 

Some of the most exciting 2008 festival experiences are in this final announcement – taking the total number of artists to around 125 across 200 performances – the most ever presented by the event. Bluesfest has a famous tradition of breaking new stars to Australian audiences – historical examples include Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Kasey Chambers, Cat Empire and Michael Franti’s Spearhead.

 

New Byron Bay location

The flagship Byron Bay Bluesfest event will offer a select space for camping and take place at Belongil Fields. A site steeped in festival history, Belongil Fields was an original festival home, when the event first went outdoors in 1993 after three initial years at the Arts Factory. In 1996, Bluesfest moved to the Rugby League Club grounds. With Belongil Fields now an interim site, the organisers are working on being at a new permanent location in 2009 for the 20th Anniversary Festival.

So who is this year’s NEXT BIG THING?

 

From the US we have chart-topping, award winning folk-rock-pop duo Sugarland. There’s also college rock jam-band phenomenon, O.A.R., (being heavily touted as the next Dave Matthews Band) on their first tour here following two sold-out nights at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Then there’s Raul Midón, blind American soul/blues artist, who serves up an explosive blend of soul, pop, and jazz, and is completely unmissable.

 

From the UK we present dreadlocked singer songwriter Newton Faulkner, whose album spent two weeks at Number One in the UK. From New Zealand is the fabulous Hollie Smith, the only artist from these parts signed to the prestigious Blue Note label (Norah Jones, Miles Davis), Hollie’s recent album went to Number One and platinum status in NZ.

 

New Aussie rising stars include Deadly Award winner Dan Sultan, The Huckleberry Swedes, produced by Jim Moginie (Midnight Oil), award winning Leah Flanagan, Gotye’s side project The Basics and even more. Breakthrough Canadian acts include top ten reggae, rock, punk and soul band Bedouin Soundclash, art-folk sensation Dan Mangan and award winning “death country” or “black grass” outfit Elliot BROOD.

 

The full list of new artists on this fourth announcement is:

Sugarland (USA), Newton Faulkner (USA), Dan Mangan (Canada), O.A.R (USA), Troy Cassar-Daley, GOCOO (Japan), Chris Wilson, Mojo Webb, Martinez Brothers, Kate Miller-Heidke, Carus & the True Believers, Dan Sultan, Elliott Brood (Canada), Chain, Hollie Smith (New Zealand), Guy Davis (USA), Bedouin Soundclash (Canada), Corb Lund & The Hurtin’ Albertans (Canada), Hat Fitz, San Lazaro, The Basics, Raul Midon (USA),

Will Conner, (USA), Beau Young, Leah Flanagan, Johnny Green’s Blues Cowboys, Johnny Gray’s Rockinitis, Yunasi (Kenya), Tribali (Malta), Hayley Sales (Canada), Collard Greens & Gravy, Worldfly, Lisa Hunt (USA), Kerianne Cox, Mongrels of Passion, Clint Crighton Jess Clements, Lucy Wainwright Roche (USA), eMDEE, Mason Rack, Marshall & The Fro, The Huckleberry Swedes, Ella Thompson, The Re-Mains, Sara Tindley & the Kingfishers, Juzzie Smith, Mahalia Barnes, Bridget Pross, Jason Lowe, The Blues Preachers, Amali Ward, Anni Piper, Tompo, Cody Butler , Jono McNeil

 

They’ll be joining the fantastic headline artists revealed in earlier announcements which include:

 

John Fogerty, Buddy Guy, Sinead O'Connor, Ray Davies, Keith Urban, The Cat Empire, John Hiatt, Patty Griffin, The Cruel Sea, The Black Crowes, John Butler Trio, Wilco, Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, Ozomatli, Mavis Staples, KT Tunstall, London Community Gospel Choir, Maceo Parker, and Stanley Clarke / George Duke Project.

 

For a full list of artists playing at Bluesfest 2008, visit www.bluesfest.com.au