Katie Melua
Friday 29 March, Bluesfest Byron Bay
Sunday 31 March, Bluesfest Byron Bay
Monday 1 April, Bluesfest Byron Bay
Wednesday, 3 April: City Recital Hall, Sydney
Thursday 4 April: Northcote Theatre, Melbourne
An accomplished songwriter, composer, and arranger, Katie Melua has toured globally, receiving high critical acclaim. Melua enchants her audiences worldwide with her uniquely powerful and captivating voice, flawless performances, and charming personality. From 2003, with the number 1 album Call Off the Search through to 2012, with Secret Symphony, Katie Melua was the top album-selling female artist in the UK and Europe. All in all, Katie released 8 top 10 studio albums: Call Off The Search, Piece By Piece, Pictures, The House, Secret Symphony, Ketevan, 2016’s self-produced, critically acclaimed In Winter and most recently album No. 8. In 2023, Katie released Love & Money. Originally from Georgia, Katie moved to the UK at a young age and studied at the acclaimed Brit School of Performing Arts. It is her extraordinary voice and the ability to truly inhabit a song that has been her trademark since the young 19-year-old school graduate first appeared in 2003.
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Snarky Puppy
Monday 25 March: The Forum, Melbourne
Wednesday 27 March: Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Friday 29 March: Bluesfest
Saturday 30 March: Bluesfest
Snarky Puppy is a 5-time GRAMMY™ winning jazz, funk fusion collective of sorts with as many as 20 members in regular rotation. At its core, the band represents the convergence of both black and white American music culture with various accents from around the world. Japan, Argentina, Canada, and the United Kingdom all have representation in the group’s membership. But more than the cultural diversity of the individual players, the defining characteristic of Snarky Puppy’s music is the joy of performing together in the perpetual push to grow creatively. Snarky Puppy have won five GRAMMYs™ in ten years, for Best R&B Performance (2013), Best Contemporary Instrumental Album (2015, 2016, 2021, 2023) and is regularly voted Best Jazz Group of the Year, in DownBeat Readers’ Poll and Jazz Times Readers’ Poll
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Meshell Ndegeocello
Monday 25 March: Factory Theatre, Sydney
Tuesday 26 March: Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne
Thursday 28 March: Bluesfest
Friday 29 March: Bluesfest
Acclaimed GRAMMY™ Award-winning multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello returns to Australia for headline shows in Sydney and Melbourne next March to present a stunning career retrospective. Ndegeocello is an unassuming colossus whose body of work extends far beyond the early hits and virtuosic bass playing with which she is most associated. “If That’s Your Boyfriend (He Wasn’t Last Night),” her taunting and funky breakout single, immediately set her apart as an instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer. Ndegeocello has remained impossible to typecast, and her versatility knows no bounds. A preternatural synthesist, with over three decades and 13 albums, she has mixed and moved across jazz, blues, soul, funk, reggae, folk, and rock.Acclaimed GRAMMY™ Award-winning multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello returns to Australia for headline shows in Sydney and Melbourne next March to present a stunning career retrospective. Ndegeocello is an unassuming colossus whose body of work extends far beyond the early hits and virtuosic bass playing with which she is most associated. “If That’s Your Boyfriend (He Wasn’t Last Night),” her taunting and funky breakout single, immediately set her apart as an instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer. Ndegeocello has remained impossible to typecast, and her versatility knows no bounds. A preternatural synthesist, with over three decades and 13 albums, she has mixed and moved across jazz, blues, soul, funk, reggae, folk, and rock.
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Blind Boys of Alabama
Sunday 31 March: Bluesfest
Monday 1 April: Bluesfest
Thursday, 4 April: City Recital Hall, Sydney
Saturday, 6 April: Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne
With over 75 years of soul-stirring music behind them, the Blind Boys of Alabama continue their legacy as one of the world’s most recognised and decorated roots music groups. Since forming at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in the 1930s, the Blind Boys have persevered through the Jim Crow era and the Civil Rights movement to become living legends. Their unique gospel sound, blending close harmonies with fervent improvisations, has earned them five Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Grammy, and performances for three different U.S. presidents. In recent decades, the Blind Boys have collaborated with artists like Peter Gabriel, Ben Harper, Justin Vernon, and Taj Mahal and they have toured the world over. Their latest album, 2023’s ECHOES OF THE SOUTH shows the group is still as vital as ever. Now, the two remaining original members, Jimmy Carter and Paul Beasley, lead a fresh generation of Blind Boys into the future. Their concerts are roof-raising, spirited affairs that appeal to audiences of all cultures. With over 75 years behind them, the Blind Boys continue to innovate and inspire through their live shows and new music.
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Tedeschi Trucks Band
Wednesday, 3 April, The Palais Theatre, Melbourne (will play two sets)
Friday, 5 April, State Theatre, Sydney (will play two sets)
Saturday, 30 March, Bluesfest, Byron Bay
Sunday 31 March, Bluesfest Byron Bay
With a reputation as one of the best live bands touring today, the 12-piece rock and soul powerhouse Tedeschi Trucks Band is bringing their magic to Australia next Easter! Led by the dynamic husband-and-wife duo Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, Tedeschi Trucks Band is renowned for its extraordinary musicianship and soul-stirring performances. Their unique blend of blues, rock, and soul has garnered them a dedicated global fanbase and critical acclaim. With a GRAMMY™ Award under their belt, the band promises an unforgettable musical experience for Australian audiences.
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Rickie Lee Jones
Sunday, 24 March, The Gov Theatre, Adelaide
Tuesday, 26 March, Northcote Theatre, Melbourne
Wednesday, 27 March, Northcote Theatre, Melbourne [sold out]
Friday, 29 March, Factory Theatre, Sydney
Sunday 31 March, Bluesfest Byron Bay
Monday 1 April, Bluesfest Byron Bay
Rickie Lee Jones has captivated audiences worldwide with her unique blend of jazz, rock, and folk influences. Her distinctive voice and timeless songs have earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. In 1979, she gate-crashed the mainstream with her star-making, self-titled debut album, followed by her second album, the seminal Pirates. In 1989, she released Flying Cowboys, which featured her song “The Horses,” one of the most beloved songs in Australia, made famous by Daryl Braithwaite. Rickie Lee Jones’ live performances are known for their intimate, emotive quality, making each show a memorable and immersive experience for fans old and new.
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NEWTON FAULKNER
Monday 25 March, The Gov, Adelaide
Wednesday, 27 March, The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Thursday, 28 March, Factory Theatre, Sydney
Friday, 29 March, Lizotte’s Newcastle ( Lunch: 12pm or Dinner: 6pm)
Sunday, 31 March, Bluesfest, Byron Bay
Monday 1 April, Bluesfest Byron Bay
Get ready to be blown away by the incredible talent of Newton Faulker on his highly anticipated Australian tour. Prepare to be enchanted by his soulful voice, mesmerising guitar skills and captivating stage presence. With his unique blend of folk, pop and rock, Newton Faulkner is guaranteed to deliver an unforgettable live performance that will leave you wanting more.
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DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS
Thursday, 28 March, Bluesfest Byron Bay
Friday, 29 March, Bluesfest, Byron Bay
Sunday, 31 March, Northcote Theatre, Melbourne
Monday, 1 April, The Metro, Sydney
The Drive-by Truckers are an American rock band known for their unique blend of Southern rock, alternative country and American music. With their raw and honest storytelling, the Drive-by Truckers have become renowned for their thought-provoking lyrics, tackling subjects such as southern culture, politics, and the working-class experience. Their music is a powerful mix of gritty guitar riffs, heartfelt melodies and powerful vocal performances.