If you’re keen for Bluesfest but live a little far from its Byron Bay location. Don’t stress, Bluesfest Touring’s got you covered with eight international acts visiting Melbourne in April 2020. Eagles of Death Metal (USA), Morcheeba (UK), John Mayall (UK), The War & Treaty (USA), Walter Trout (USA), Buffy Sainte-Marie (Can-USA), Larkin Poe (USA) and Marcus King Band (USA) will all return to Australia to tour throughout the month.
Eagles of Death Metal are a California-based founded in 1998 when two guys asked the questions “What would a mix of The Eagles and Death Metal sound like?”. Fast-forward to 2019, and these guys have four albums and toured internationally. Featuring a combination of Bluegrass slide guitar, belting drumbeats and tantalising vocals, they’re known for their stage antics and crowd interaction.
When & Where: Saturday 18th April, The Croxton Bandroom
Canadian-American Academy Award-winner Buffy Sainte-Marie has been a part of the blues scene since her debut in 1964. Sainte-Marie returns to Australia to promote her latest release, Medicine Songs, described as the soundtrack for the resistance. Covering topics of the environment, Indigenous realities, greed and racketeering, Sainte-Marie promises to make some noise during her tour.
When & Where: Thursday 9th April, Melbourne Recital Centre
You might know John Mayall better as the ‘Godfather of British Blues’, and for a good reason. At 86 years of age, Mayall has released 86 studio albums and backed blues legends John Lee Hooker, T-Bone Walker, and Sonny Boy Williamson. On top of that, through his work with the Bluesbreakers he initiated names like Eric Clapton and Mick Fleetwood into the blues scene. A member of the Blues Hall of Fame, don’t miss your chance to see this living legend live.
When & Where: Monday 20th April, The Corner Hotel
Blues sisters Larkin Poe return to Australia following a sell-out tour this year. Comprising of Rebecca Lovell’s full and charismatic voice and Megan Lovell’s gospel-like backing vocals, this duo of multi-instrumentalists create a gritty, Southern blues sound. Their latest release, Venom & Faith, pushes against genre-defining boundaries, mixing electronic sounds with classic, traditional blues.
When & Where: Thursday 16th April, The Corner Hotel
Following an epic sold-out 2019 Australian tour, The Marcus King Band are bringing their brand of southern-fried blues and rock n roll psychedelia back in 2020. Marcus King has established himself master of the six-string, having played live since the age of 8. Now at 23, King and his four-piece band have appeared on talk shows such as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and recently toured with Tennessee Whiskey singer Chris Stapleton. Described as an ‘electrifying rock performer’, King has also broken the Billboard Blues Album Chart. This one is sure to sell-out fast.
When & Where: Wednesday 15th April, The Croxton Bandroom
Morcheeba have sold millions of albums during their career span, having defined the chill-out genre with hits such as ‘Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day’ and ‘The Sea’. The duo is made up of Skye Edwards, with her instantly recognisable smooth and effortless voice, and psychedelic guitarist Ross Godfrey. They’ve topped bills around the world, were one of the first bands to ever tour China, and know they’re headed Down Under.
When & Where: Tuesday 7th April, 170 Russell
Considered the discover act of Bluesfest 2019, The War and Treaty are touring Australia for the first time. Husband and wife Michael Trotter and Tanya Trotter-Blount had a long musical journey before they came together. Michael served in the US Army during the Iraq War, even nurturing his passion for music on an abandoned piano in Hussien palace. Tonya has a musical theatre background, and appeared in Sister Act 2, singing a duet with Lauryn Hill. Together, their powerful soul voices bring emotion to their music, creating a unique sound and experience.
When & Where: Wednesday 15th April, Melbourne Recital Centre
Walter Trout has been on the blues scene for five decades. After rebounding from near-fatal liver disease in 2013, Trout has said he “I owe it to the fans to play like it’s the last gig I’ll ever do”. Inspired by names such as BB King, John Mayall and Chuck Berry, Trout is the heart of the modern blues-rock scene. Now an influence for many emerging blues youth, Trout has become a legend that puts everything into every show.
When & Where: Thursday 9th April, The Corner Hotel
All acts will also appear at Bluesfest 2020 in Byron Bay. Tickets are available for presale from Bluesfest Touring on Thursday October 21st, with regular ticket sales from Monday November 4th.
Written by Thom Devereux
