Ben Harper returns for 20th anniversary Bluesfest

18 November 2008 by Soulshine News

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Ben Harper returns for 20th anniversary Bluesfest

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Bluesfest (2009)

Bluesfest (2009) News:

The first round of artists to perform at the 20th Anniversary Bluesfest has been announced. Proving Easter 2009 will be a joyous celebration to remember, the list includes a huge array of world class local and international talent that embodies the spirit and passion of Bluesfest. Bluesfest’s 20th birthday bash will take place at Belongil Fields in Byron Bay between Thursday April 9 to Monday April 13, 2009 over the Easter long weekend.

In exciting news, Ben Harper will make an exclusive appearance at Bluesfest with two special performances where he will debut his amazing new band billed as BEN HARPER and Relentless7. These shows are exclusive to Bluesfest, and there will be no other Ben Harper Australian festival or theatre appearances.

The first Bluesfest announcement for 2009 includes:

BEN HARPER and RELENTLESS7, John Butler Trio, Missy Higgins, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Lucinda Williams, Zappa Plays Zappa, Angelique Kidjo, Tinariwen, Eric Bibb, Seasick Steve, Tony Joe White, Ruthie Foster, Blind Boys Of Alabama, Drive-By Truckers, Toni Childs, Ayo, Luka Bloom, Alpha Blondy, The Easy Allstars, Special Beat, Watermelon Slim & The Workers, The Easy All Stars, Special Beat, Augie March, Alabama, Blue King Brown, Saltwater Band, Sonny Landreth, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Hot Club of Cowtown, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, The Bamboos, Watussi, Lowrider, Nu Yorican Nights, Benny Gallagher, Bob Log III., Lowrider, Nu Yorican Nights.

Only shows also for John Butler, Missy Higgins & Michael Franti!
Music fans – take note. In addition to the exclusive Ben Harper shows, Bluesfest 2009 will host the only concert performances on the East Coast for John Butler Trio, Missy Higgins, and Michael Franti & Spearhead. John Butler Trio and Missy Higgins will play their first Australian shows in 12 months, and this appearance will be John Butler Trio’s only East Coast show in 2009 prior to recording a new studio album.

Festival director Peter Noble said, “We’re thrilled with the line-up announced so far, with more great acts still to come. For our 20th birthday, we were tempted to do a ‘best of’, but that would mean leaving out the exciting newer artists. So we’ve simply created the very best bill possible but with an eye to showcasing some of the best ever acts at Bluesfest.

“Ben Harper for example, is arguably the most important artist to ever play Bluesfest. In 1996, when we helped break Ben to Australian audiences, he helped us by lighting the way forward, and assisting our evolution. We went from a primarily blues-based event to celebration of diversity, ethnicity, and musical spirit, covering blues, roots, soul, world, reggae, jazz, Latin, fusion, funk, swing, gospel, African, hip-hop, vintage R&B, swamp rock, folk, alt-country and so on. It was literally a defining moment.”

Tickets already selling fast
Anticipation for the 20th Anniversary edition of Bluesfest has led to one third of tickets already selling out before the first artist announcement! Now with a strong list of great performers, festival organisers anticipate another early sell out of tickets. So make sure you get in early as Bluesfest tickets will not last long!

More awards for Bluesfest
Bluesfest awards keep on coming. September 2008 saw Bluesfest recognised as an international winner in The Greener Festival awards, for the second year running, for long term commitment to environmental and sustainability practices. The 2008 Rhythms Magazine readers poll continued the trend of consistently awarding the event ‘Australia's Best Music Festival' every year between 1994 and 2008, the exception being 1997, when we came second.

Unlike any other Australian event, Bluesfest has twice had the honour of being nominated as Best International Music Festival by US concert bible “Pollstar” in 2005 and 2006 alongside world renowned events such as Britain’s Glastonbury and Switzerland’s Montreux Jazz Festival. And closer to home, Bluesfest has twice won the prestigious Helpmann Award for Best Contemporary Music Festival in Australia, also in 2005 and 2006.

Back to Belongil!
Following last year’s successful relocation, Bluesfest 2009 will celebrate its 20th birthday once again at the spacious festival and camping site of Belongil Fields. The event’s permanent new home at Tyagarah Tee Tree Farm, 10 minutes north of Byron Bay is continuing with planning and development, and will host Bluesfest in future years to come.

Tickets can be purchased by: Phoning the Bluesfest office on 02 6685 8310
or visiting the website at www.bluesfest.com.au