East Coast Blues and RootsFestival: first artist lineupannounced for Bluefest 2008

Mon 5th Nov, 2007 in Local News

The first lineup of artists for the 19th annual East Coast Blues and Roots Festival has been announced – with Keith Urban, Wilco, Sinead O’Connor and the Black Crowes amongst the acts that will head our way for Easter 2008.

The flagship festival will take place in Byron Bay between Thursday March 20 to Monday March 24, 2008 over the Easter long weekend. Satellite events featuring many of the same headline artists will also take place at The West Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival (March 15 and 16, 2008) and The Point Nepean Music Festival (March 22 and 23, 2008), The Tasmanian Blues & Roots Festival, Botanical Gardens Hobart Sunday (March 23) and The New Zealand Blues & Roots Festival will be at Whitianga on the Coromandel Peninsular (March 22).

This year the festival plans to leave punters gobsmakced with some massive names in swamp rock, blues, soul, reggae, funk, and roots pop coming together for the event.

Says Festival director Peter Noble: “We couldn’t be happier with the lineup announced so far, with great people still to come. We’ve really hit on a winning formula that provides something for everyone with a passion for blues and roots music from all around the world. And we’re particularly proud to have recently picked up another award – this time for being a green, environmentally responsible event.”

This year, the festival will return to the site of its original home at Belongil Fields before moving to a permanent location for the festival’s 20th anniversary in 2009.

The first announcement for Bluesfest 2008 includes:
Buddy Guy, Sinead O’Connor, Keith Urban, The Black Crowes, John Butler Trio, Wilco, Eskimo Joe, Mavis Staples, Maceo Parker, Stanley Clarke / George Duke Project, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Don McLean, Loudon Wainwright III, Vusi Mahlasela, Ruthie Foster, Ron Sexsmith, Gotye, Clare Bowditch, Angus and Julia Stone, Music Maker Foundation featuring Beverly “Guitar” Watkins, Albert White, Pura Fe, Eddie Tigner, Tommy Brown, Little Joe Burton, Dr. G.B. Burt with more to be announced.

One day tix for the festival will go on sale the first week in December.

Stay tuned to FasterLouder for further lineup announcements in December.