While Bluesfest is one of the festival highlights of the year, shining a light on local, national and international legends when it comes to blues, roots, soul and rock not everyone can make their way to the Byron Bay event.
Luckily for those who can’t make it to Byron Bay, there’s still a chance to see some of the impressive acts hitting our shores. We put together a little bit of a list of which sideshows we’d be seeing and the acts generally heading to Melbourne.
Slightly Stoopid
Starting out as a punk-rock band, over Slightly Stoopid’s career they’ve crossed genres, playing everything from reggae, to rock and blues. With many hits under their belt, the true to life US band are one not to miss. They play the Prince Bandroom on April 14. Read our interview with them here.
Corinne Bailey Rae
Known for her hit ‘Put Your Records On’, Corinne heads to Australia following a successful career. Corinne is a two-time Grammy winner and has over five million albums sold to her name. She plays 170 Russell in Melbourne on April 19. Read our interview with her here.
Laura Mvula
A rapidly rising talent, Laura is easily one to watch in the UK (and the world over). She has already been nominated for the Mercury Prize, BBC Sound poll, the BRITs Critics Choice Award, two BRIT Awards in 2014 (British Female Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act). She plays the Melbourne Recital Centre on April 13.
Patti Smith
Given this chance to see Patti Smith is a once in a lifetime event, it’s a no-brainer to include this one our list. Featuring Patti’s repertoire of originals and selected covers from her eleven studio albums and forty-three years of music, this will be the last Australian show for her and her band. She’s also joined by local rocker Courtney Barnett. She plays Festival Hall on April 20. She also performs at Hamer Hall on April 16 with her band exclusively performing her album, Horses.
Miles Electric Band
Being a 10-person band is reason alone for seeing them live, just imagine the sound created. But with this being the group’s first trip to Australia, this all-star concert is one not to miss. The group includes Miles Davis alumni including Grammy nominee Robert Irving III, legendary Parliament Funkadelic guitarist Blackbyrd McKnight, Munyungo Jackson and Grammy winner Vince Wilburn, Jr. (Davis’ nephew) on drums. They play Hamer Hall on April 15.
Also performing sideshows in Melbourne are:
Andrew Bird – Melbourne Recital Centre, April 15
The Stax Revue – Melbourne Recital Centre, April 21
Gallant – The Corner Hotel, April 17
Joan Osborne – The Croxton, April 19
Mary J Blige – Hamer Hall, April 12
Nahko & Medicine for the People – 170 Russell, April 12
St. Paul & the Broken Bones – 170 Russell, April 20
The Lumineers – Arts Centre, April 19
The Record Company – Northcote Social Club, April 20
The Strumbellas – Northcote Social Club, April 16
Turin Breaks – Northcote Social Club, April 12
For more information and tickets visit the website.
