subject: The Byron Bay Bluesfest [print this page] The Byron Bay Bluesfest The Byron Bay Bluesfest
Beginning in 1990 in New South Wales, the Bluesfest has only grown in size and scope since, and earned a reputation for being one of the first annual musical events to feature a truly diverse, internationalised mix of artists from a wide variety of backgrounds - not only from indigenous backgrounds native to Australia itself, but also those from a number of non-European and non-English speaking backgrounds.
Today, the Byron Bay Bluesfest is one of the most respected and well attended musical events in Australia, and plays a key role in not only providing blues artists from all over the world with fresh, edgy sources of inspiration, but also in defining and redefining the meaning of blues as a genre in fun and exciting ways. These days, thanks to the wide range of Bluesfest influence, the scope of blues has expanded to include Latino and traditional African music, as well as such unique elements as surf culture, as well as politically and environmentally themed artists.
This year's twenty-second annual Bluesfest features an especially exciting array of treats for its eager audience. The event will be held during the course of Easter weekend - that is, from the 21st to the 25th of April 2011 - and will be headlined by none other than world famous musical sensation Bob Dylan himself. In addition to Bob Dylan, the Byron Bay Bluesfest will also be hosting a line-up of other wonderful crowd pleasing performers such as Elvis Cotello, the Indigo Girls, Tony Joe White, Ruthie Foster, Rodrigo y Gabriela, the Blind Boys of Alabama, featuring Aaron Neville, Ben Harper and Relentless 7, Michael Franti and Spearhead, and none other than BB King, who is scheduled to play on a Friday, April 22.
Director of the festival Peter Noble is quoted on the official Byron Bay Bluesfest website saying, "It's turning into a MASSIVE year and what a delight it is to bring our fans an uplifting plethora of musical joy with this first of many quality announcements. Folks, this could be an embarrassment of riches." In reference to the twin megastars of this year's festival - musical icons Bob Dylan and BB King - Noble additionally claims, "[We are] pinching ourselves at this dream come true - the king of the blues playing for the first time at the king of the blues festivals! I mean you could not have two greater music icons playing at one festival!" Indeed, if Noble's words are anything to go by, this year's Bluesfest may be the finest yet in a long tradition of excellent music and fun.
