Byron Bay's annual Bluesfest music festival is returning in 2023 with a stacked lineup of local and international artists, running April 6th through to 10th. With more than 40 acts gracing the stage, Elvis Costello leads the acts alongside Bonnie Rait and Jackson Browne.
Who is playing at Bluesfest 2023?
While we still have seven months to wait until the festival lights up for another year, we can bask in the glow of those slated to perform alongside the aforementioned. Gang of Youths, the Cat Empire, Xavier Rudd and Lucinda Williams also feature in the lineup, with King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Lachy Doley And The Horns Of Conviction the Barnestormers joining them. You can see the full lineup below.
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Festival director, Peter Noble, said the 2023 edition of Bluesfest will be the first time the event has returned to pre-pandemic staging and organisation for both festivalgoers and performers.
“For the first time since 2019, Bluesfest is presenting a fully international festival experience like the legendary ones we did before the COVID-era,” said Noble. “Whilst there are still plenty of Aussie artists listed in this first and upcoming announcements it is wonderful to once again in 2023, after four long years be able to bring back some of the greatest Blues, Roots, Soul, Rock, Hip Hop, R&B, World and Americana artists (and so much more) back to our shores after so long. As well as, of course, the stars of tomorrow.
“We have our largest number of artists ever listed in our first Bluesfest artist announcement… check it out, there’s more than 40 of them. It is such a stunning list for every Bluesfester. More good news is we’ve made the call to NOT increase our ticket prices. As always there’s a large allocation of tickets so everyone can experience the whole musical enchilada we are proud to be bringing to our shores.”
Noble also said the festival has invested more in improved infrastructure and safety, pleasing to see in the wake of unsightly conditions at Splendour in the Grass and more recently at Britain’s Reading and Leeds Festival.
“Since last year we’ve invested over $500k upgrading and waterproofing the Bluesfest site. Both myself and my team are currently looking at every single aspect of the Bluesfest experience to ensure it’s of the highest quality possible.”
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