The organisers at Bluesfest have bounced back after the cancellation of their 2020 event, flaunting their first artist lineup for 2021 with 50 spectacular artists from both international and Australian backgrounds.
As one of the many music festivals that fell victim to the Coronavirus this year with a devastating cancellation, the organisers at Bluesfest have made a comeback securing some massive names in the music world for their 2021 edition of the event.
Festival organisers told punters in a statement that after the cancellation of their 2020 event they got to work right away to bring fans a stellar 2021 artist lineup.
“When Bluesfest 2020 was ordered by the Government to shut-down we immediately put our noses to the grindstone within days of the cancellation and got on with 2021,” Bluesfest Director, Peter Noble said in a statement. “This Artist Announce is a testament to that fortitude.”
The event has released the names of 50 artists as part of their first lineup release with 10 more artists set to be released later in the year making 60 in total. “Whilst we don’t know exactly how Bluesfest 2021 will occur, please be aware there are already 60 artists who are either returning or are brand new for Bluesfest 2021,” said Noble.
The festival made the bold decision to include international acts in the lineup with around half of the 2021 artist roster residing overseas. With the current Coronavirus travel restrictions, Noble is sure the festival can adapt to any issues the event may have with travel bans.
“If we find that the internationals can’t come, we will invite more Aussies. If we find the internationals can come, we might add more internationals,” he said in the statement.
Huge names in music are set to hit our shores in April next year including international acts Bon Iver, Patti Smith and her band, Jimmie Vaughan, John Mayall, Kool & The Gang, Morcheeba, The Gipsy Kings, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Walter Trout, and more.
Some of the Australian acts joining the lineup include Jimmy Barnes, The Teskey Brothers, Kasey Chambers, Weddings Parties Anything, Xavier Rudd, The Cat Empire, and The Waifs.
Festival organisers chose to transfer the 2020 Bluesfest lineup across to the following year with many new artists added to the already star-studded festival bill. Two new additions to the existing lineup include Bon Iver who is visiting Australia next year as part of his i,i, tour alongside Justin Vernon who is both Bon Iver’s support act and joining Bluesfest 2021.
See the full Bluesfest lineup below.
Noble has also made it very clear to festival-goers that the event will practice the most up to date social distancing rules in the face of the Coronavirus, and refunds will be made available to all attendees if the festival is cancelled. “If they require social distancing and other measures, we will be there to do it. And further if they don’t allow us to proceed in 2021 your money will be in a trust account and we will be able to immediately refund you.”
Bluesfest organisers have been working hard to present fans with a top-notch live music event in the safest way possible. Peter Noble comments that festivals like Bluesfest are part of the necessary path to revive the suffering live music industry in the country.
“As this country’s most highly awarded music festival, we are working with Government to find the best possible outcomes for Bluesfest 2021. We want to present another great event, one that is safe and with best-practise protocols implemented on every level. We need it, the music industry needs it and the greater community needs it. Together we will find the most prudent pathway to revive the live music industry, an industry that is aching to get back to work ASAP.”
The event will be held in Byron Bay from Thursday the 1st to Monday the 5th of April 2021 and will be across five stages with an array of international and Australian music. Last week the festival opened its early-bird sales with 15,000 tickets already being sold.
Despite the current prevailing Coronavirus pandemic, Noble is adamant music festivals are exactly the kind of entertainment we need to get us through. “Yes, the future is uncertain for everyone, but humans need enjoyment, a place they can feel comfortable and trust they are in good hands, and Bluesfest is, and has always been that.”
“It’s a long way to next Easter and by that time travel restrictions are sure to be different. In the case of no international travel, I’ve programmed a damn-good line-up of locals and a vibrant festival experience so people can come out and play.”
You can buy tickets now for Bluesfest 2021 by following this link. See you there!
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