AAA Backstage’s Guide To Byron Bay Bluesfest 2019

Returning this week for the Easter weekend to celebrates its monumental 30th anniversary, Byron Bay Bluesfest has a lot to cheer for this year. With an unreal lineup and the advent of the Boomerang Festival, Bluesfest 2019 is set to a be a history-making event for the long-running event.

RELATED: Can’t make it to Bluesfest? See the full list of sideshows HERE.

With a lineup as big as it is, we thought we’d highlight some of the best acts that deserve every bit of your attention during the five-day behemoth. Internationals like the Jack White-led The Saboteurs, the legend himself, Iggy Pop, and the insanely awesome live force of St Paul & The Broken Bones must be seen.

Set times for the festival have also been released. You can check them out HERE. Limited tickets are also still available for the festival, grab one HERE.

The Saboteurs

The Saboteurs (aka The Raconteurs outside of Australia) has to be on your must-see list at this year’s Byron Bay Bluesfest. Not only are they closing out the festival on Easter Monday, but it’s also their very first time in Australia—making this appearance all the more important. They have a new album out in June—their first in over a decade—so expect to hear a whole bunch of new music as well as some favourites from their incredible back catalogue. The Jack White-led group is our most anticipated for the festival.

Iggy Pop

Iggy Pop is an Australian regular and a festival favourite. Having frequented Bluesfest and Big Day Out in the past, he’s returning Down Under for the special 30th anniversary of the festival. He also hasn’t performed since October last year, meaning he’ll have plenty of built-up energy to unleash on the crowd. Going by his most recent set lists, he’ll be playing a huge amount of classics that’s sure to please any Iggy Pop fan.

Paul Kelly

This Australian icon is returning to the Bluesfest stage yet again and now with two more incredible albums under his belt, the legendary singer-songwriter has even more tricks up his sleeve for the Bluesfest crowd. Yes, you’ll get to hear your favourites, but still around his the full set of amazing new tunes. We have an inkling that he might have some special guests come on stage during his set.

St Paul & The Broken Bones

We caught St Paul & The Broken Bones at a previous Bluesfest, and haven’t been able to stop thinking about them since. The off-the-cuff recommendation was received highly from us and now that they’re back at the festival (exclusively, mind you) we implore everyone to witness the litany of on stage mayhem this band produces. They’re playing several times of the festival’s five days, so be sure to catch them at least once.

George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic

Recently in the country supporting Red Hot Chili Peppers, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic are currently on their farewell international tour. Bluesfest will mark the legendary musician and his band’s final appearance in Australia so there’s no doubt in our minds that you have to catch him. The jazz, funk, blues and psych maestro provides unreal fun from beginning to end.

Norah Jones

She’s been in Australia for about a week now playing sold-out national shows, but the famed singer-songwriter will make a rare appearance at the festival behind her new album, ‘Begin Again’. She’ll play new and old material to please everyone. We’re also hoping for a sneaky Jack White appearance to unleash some material from their Danger Mouse Daniele Luppi collaborative album, ‘Rome’.

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2019 Lineup

Playing for Change
Clarence Bekker Band
Ward Thomas
Glenn Cardler and the Sideshow
Miss Velvet and the Blue Wolf
Māmā Mihirangi & the Māreikura
Lucy Gallant
Sametime
Nocturnal Syndrome

joining…

Little Steven & The Disciples Of Souls

joining…

Baker Boy
Archie Roach
Yothu Yindi & The Treaty Project
Mojo Juju
Benny Walker
Dallas Woods
Dobby
Mission Songs
Brotherhood Of The Blues
Malu Kiai Mura Buai
Rako
Tenzin Choegyal
Muggera
Te Kopere Maori Healers
Bundjalung Weavers
Saltwater Dubay

joining…

The Saboteurs

joining…

Iggy Pop
Norah Jones
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Imelda May
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Archie Roach
Pierce Brothers
Backsliders
Fantastic Negrito
The Marcus King Band
Thando
Little Georgia
Benny Walker
Dallas Woods

joining…

Paul Kelly
Hozier
David Gray
Julia Stone
Gary Clark Jr.
Mavis Staples
Flogging Molly
Meshell Ndegeocello
Ruthie Foster
Shakey Graves
Anderson East
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
Samantha Fish
The War And Treaty
Mojo Juju
Caiti Baker
Deva Mahal
Melody Angel
Hussy Hicks

joining…

Jack Johnson
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals
Ray LaMontagne
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
Snarky Puppy
Kasey Chambers
St Paul & The Broken Bones
Nahko And Medicine For The People
Tommy Emmanuel
Colin Hay
Arlo Guthrie
Keb’ Mo’
Tex Perkins
Allen Stone
Richard Clapton
Russell Morris
Kurt Vile & The Violators
Vintage Trouble
The Black Sorrows
The California Honeydrops
Trevor Hall
I’m With Her
Larkin Poe
Irish Mythen
Elephant Sessions
Greensky Bluegrass
Rockwiz Live