Robert Plant Heads New Bluesfest Lineup Announcement

The organisers of Byron Bay’s Bluesfest promised something special for their latest line-up announcement, and boy have they delivered. It’s a bill designed for the oldies, or young ones that appreciate classic music.

Robert Plant is heading up the latest additions with his new act, the Sensational Shape Shifters. Led Zep fans might be lucky enough to hear some of most iconic songs, as Robert’s been playing eight Led Zeppelin songs during his recent sets in South America. Let’s cross fingers!

As if that wasn’t enough to make you weak at the knees, Bluesfest will also bring Supertramp’s Roger Hodgson, Madness, Yes’ Jon Anderson, and Status Quo to Byron. Let’s just hope we don’t get a rendition of “Down Down, Prices are Down”!

These awesome acts join already named stars like Santana, Jimmy Cliff, Ben Harper, Chris Isaak, Joan Armatrading, and Iggy and the Stooges. Something tells me 2013’s Bluesfest is going to go off!
Bluesfest hits Byron Bay from March 28 to April 1.

Image source: Egghead06 @ Wikimedia Commons

Aussie Legends Play Regional Red Hot Summer Shows

Some of Australia’s most beloved artists will perform for regional audiences this summer. Dubbed the Red Hot Summer Tour, the travelling concert series features a bumper line-up including Cold Chisel comrades Jimmy Barnes and Ian Moss, Baby Animals, Dragon, Ross Wilson, and Chocolate Starfish.

Unfortunately not every act will perform at every show, but fans will still see value with tickets starting from just $79.90. The line-up for each event is also posted on the Red Hot Summer Tour website, so you can make sure your favourites are playing near you.

Line-ups like this don’t come along every day, especially in some of these country towns! Tickets go on sale this Thursday, October 25.

5 January 2012 – Tumut Showgrounds, Tumut
6 January 2012 – Harry Sawkin Park, Nowra
10 January 2012 – Centenary Oval, Port Lincoln
12 January 2012 – Mary Ann Reserve, Mannum
13 January 2012 – Nowingi Place Soundshell, Mildura
19 January 2012 – Mulwala Waterski Club, Mulwala
20 January 2012 – Morning Star Estate, Mt Eliza
26 January 2012 – Parklands Resort, Mudgee
27 January 2012 – Crossing Theatre Lawns, Narrabri
2 February 2012 – Kryal Castle, Ballarat
3 February 2012 – Victory Park Soundshell, Traralgon
9 February 2012 – Country Club Lawns, Launceston
10 February 2012 – On the Point – Wrestpoint, Hobart
30 March 2012 – Warrnambool Racecourse, Warrnambool
31 March 2012 – Mansfield Showgrounds, Mansfield

Image source: Ticketmaster

Arrested Development Headlines Cockatoo Island Film Festival’s Concert Series

There’ll be more than movies at the 2012 Cockatoo Island Film Festival. The event will see the historic Sydney island transformed into an entertainment hub, with cinema screens and live music stages, from October 25 to 27.

Arrested Development will grace the main stage on Thursday October 25 as part of their 20th anniversary tour. Bluejuice and Jinja Safari will follow the American hip hop act on October 26, and Matt Corby will close the festival with another licensed all ages show on October 27.

If you want to party on after those acts make sure you head to the Precinct Nightclub. Artists like Gossling, Saskwatch, the Future Classic DJs, and Halfway Crooks will be pumping out tunes from 10 pm to the early hours of the morning.

Tickets for all Cockatoo Island Film Festival shows are available now through Moshtix.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Big Names To Play 2013 Bluesfest

The first of four Bluesfest line-up announcements has been released, and already it’s enough to make me salivate. The bill includes big international names like Ben Harper, Santana, Iggy and the Stooges, Chris Isaak, the Steve Miller Band, Wilco, Bonnie Raitt, and Glen Hansard and the Frames.

We haven’t heard about any of the local acts who’ll play, but no doubt they’ll come in some of the next announcements. This current crop is definitely enough to whet my appetite!

Bluesfest will take over Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm in Byron Shire from March 28 to April 1. Tickets are on sale now through the Bluesfest website. Are you excited?

Image source: Festival Eurockeennes @ Wikimedia Commons

Pyramid Rocks Phillip Island

Phillip Island’s got more than fairy penguins to offer New Year’s revellers. The Victorian township will again play host to the Pyramid Rock Festival from December 29 to January 1.

Organisers have assembled a great line-up for Pyramid’s ninth year, shaped largely through the suggestions of Pyramid fans. Aussies dominate the bill, including 360, Karnivool, Children Collide, Dead Letter Circus, Illy, Stonefield, and Xavier Rudd.

For the third year, prices have stayed steady too. How many other New Year’s parties can boast that? Two and three-day passes will go on sale from the Pyramid Rock Festival website from Tuesday September 4.

Temper Trap, Missy Higgins, and Bluejuice Play Soundscape

The fifth annual Soundscape Festival is shaping up to be the best yet, with The Temper Trap, Missy Higgins, and Bluejuice all taking their place on the bill.

Soundscape will settle into its new home at Prices Wharf Shed No. 1, on Castray Esplanade in Hobart on November 16 and 17. The location isn’t the only change this year. The festival’s moved from January to November to avoid stifling heat, and downsized the available tickets. That means fewer queues and more intimate performances.

Tickets are on sale now from the Soundscape Festival website.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

The Angels & More Join Sydney Blues & Roots Lineup

The second announcement of acts for the 2012 Sydney Blues & Roots Festival sees Aussie rock legends The Angels, guitar prodigy Joe Robinson, and American songstress Barbara Blue added to the bill.

These acts and many more join already announced artists including Ian Moss, Charlie Musselwhite, Mia Dyson, and Lanie Lane.

This year’s Sydney Blues & Roots Festival will take over the Windsorfrom October 25 to 28. Discounted first release tickets are available from the Sydney Blues & Roots Festival website until August 31.

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Kenny Rogers Headlines Bigger & Better Darwin Festival

Darwin’s often neglected by touring acts, so it’s exciting to see some of entertainment’s big names heading to the territory’s capital for this year’s Darwin Festival.

This year’s eclectic line-up includes an unforgettable show featuring Washington and Kate Miller-Heidke, hip hop act Hermitude, rockabilly songbird Lanie Lane, hot young things San Cisco, drag sensation Pam Ann, and the one and only Kenny Rogers.

“Darwin shines most brilliantly in August and we can’t wait to share a program that will keep you sizzling for the Hot August Nights,” the festival’s artistic director Edwina Lunn said in a press release. “We encourage everyone to load up their August and maximise the dry season good times because after all, we can sleep through September!”

This year there’s so much entertainment that Darwin needed to add another festival hub. George’s Green will see bars, eateries, and entertainment taking over the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens and The Amphitheatre. Also new this year is the Idolize Spiegeltent, an old fashioned hall of mirrors with musical and cabaret shows.

A free shuttle bus will operate every night of the festival to take party goers between the regular Festival Park and the new George’s Green. The Darwin Festival runs from August 9 to 26. Head to the website for the complete program.

Image used with permission from AUM Entertainment

The Wailers Headline Island Vibe

Island Vibe is heading back to Stradbroke Island this October for its seventh big year.

The 2012 line-up includes some stellar international reggae, soul, and dub acts including The Original Wailers, fellow countryman Prince Alla, Canada’s JPod, and Gaudi from Italy. Aussie performers including Kooii, The Upsteppers, and Chant Down Sound also have a place on the bill. And there’s more to come, with a second artist announcement planned just before the festival.

I think it all sounds like the perfect opportunity for a beach holiday, don’t you? Tickets are now on sale through the Island Vibe website.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Charlie Musselwhite, Ian Moss, and & Lanie Lane Headline Sydney Blues & Roots Festival

We haven’t even seen the full line-up yet, but the Sydney Blues & Roots Festival is already looking like a tempting proposition. Acclaimed American harmonica guru Charlie Musselwhite is making the trip to share top billing with local acts Ian Moss and Lanie Lane.

Other notable musicians on the bill include Canadian rockers The Trews, internationally acclaimed local songstress Mia Dyson, blues legends The Backsliders, and legendary guitarist Ray Beadle. And we’re expecting another announcement with more bands later this month.

Festival creative directors Geoff Trio and Steve Griffiths knew it would take some effort to top 2011’s line-up, but they’ve given it a red hot go.

“The blend of established and new ‘discovery’ acts is sensational and we expect crowds to flock to Windsor like never before,” they said in a statement.

The Sydney Blues & Roots Festival will hit various venues in the Hawkesbury region from October 25 to 28. First-release tickets are available now from Oztix from $79 for a one-day adult pass.

Image used with permission from Revolutions Per Minute