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 Bluesfest Touring has our best interests at heart, announcing a stack of new sideshows to accompany the 2020 event.
First cab off the rank is the formidable Dweezil Zappa, son of fretboard luminary Frank and an eccentric, mind-bending musician in his own right. He’ll be bringing his iconic Hot Rats tour to Australia this April to celebrate 50 years since the release of his father’s album of the same name. Featuring a performance of the entirety of his father’s 1969 album, as well as more of Frank Zappa choice cuts and as Zappa’s first time down under since 2017, this will be one helluva show. See him at the Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne – Monday, April 13.
Next up, Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles will bless Australian & New Zealand with their debut tour this April, bringing along their unique soul, jazz and gospel music. A modern music creative genius and former member of Snarky Puppy, Henry’s solo gig has risen to the top, performing in cities and festivals around the world including Okeechobee, Electric Forest, North Sea Jazz and Love Supreme Festival. If you like funk, you’re in for a treat on Wednesday, April 8 at 170 Russell, Melbourne.
Taking on Melbourne’s Howler on Wednesday, April 15 will be Aussie born bassist and songwriter Tal Wilkenfeld. Having spent the bulk of her career playing with veteran rock musicians like Jeff Beck, Prince, Herbie Hancock and Eric Clapton, Wilkenfeld is no stranger to the limelight. Dropping her vocal debut album ‘Love Remains’ earlier this year, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseeker charts on the first week of its release, it’s her solo works that stand out the most! We’d recommend saving the date for this show.
Having influenced the likes of Four Tet and Jamie xx, get your dancing shoes ready for some bangin’ Afro-pop beats from Amadou & Mariam in Melbourne on Tuesday, April 14. With a musical relationship that dates back over 45 years, the duo have managed to joyfully combine their love story with a musical career while becoming discreetly but surely, the most famous ambassadors for Malian music and African music, all around the world; a golden status that they carry with brio and playfully challenge with each new album. This one goes down at Melbourne’s Recital Centre.
Rounding out this wave of announcements, The Allman Betts Band will be celebrating 50 years with a show at Corner Hotel in Melbourne on Monday, April 13. The band’s debut album, Down To The River, is one of 2019’s most celebrated blues releases, and with talents such as Devon Allman and Duane Betts leading the group, this will be an absolute spectacle.
What an announcement! The latest sideshow announcement follows on from previously announced tours including Brandi Carlile, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Eagles of Death Metal, George Benson, John Mayall, Larkin Poe, The Marcus King Band, Morcheeba, Patti Smith and Her Band, Walter Trout and The War and Treaty.
For more information and ticketing deets see bluesfesttouring.com.au
