“Celebrating our 25th Birthday! This year’s festivities will be unmatched, and I assure you, this lineup will blow your mind; mark my words: it’s just the start.”
These remarks come from promoter Peter Noble, who has unveiled the initial lineup of artists set to perform at Bluesfest 2014.
Headlined by John Mayer and the Dave Matthews Band—described as “two major headliners”—the lineup features the John Butler Trio, making their 10th appearance at Bluesfest, Erykah Badu, who will be performing for the first time, and the much-discussed Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros.
Returning to the festival will be Iron and Wine (the folk alias of Sam Beam), making his first appearance in Australia since being dismissed from Golden Plains five years ago and after the release of his new album, Ghost on Ghost. Joining him are Devendra Banhart, Bluesfest favorites Michael Franti & Spearhead, the British trip-hop group Morcheeba, and Gary Clark Junior.
Describing their 2014 roster as “enormous, vibrant, and unique,” Bluesfest promises the perfect combination of legendary, modern, emerging, and well-known artists. With the previous year’s second and third announcements including big names like Robert Plant, Paul Simon, Rufus Wainwright, Rodriguez, Jimmy Cliff, Counting Crows, and Mavis Staples, one can expect an even more star-studded lineup for the 25th anniversary event.
Bluesfest Byron Bay will take place over the Easter long weekend from April 17-21 at its designated venue, the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, located north of Byron Bay. Single-day tickets are currently available for purchase.
Bluesfest 2014 initial lineup
John Mayer
Dave Matthews Band
Erykah Badu
John Butler Trio
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Iron & Wine
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Devendra Banhart
Morcheeba
Gary Clark Jr
KT Tunstall
Allen Stone
Valerie June
Nikki Hill
