Bluesfest Update
5 February 2010
Bluesfest is now only 56 days away and time is just flying. Our office is straight down buzzing away with activity; it feels like the walls of our building are vibrating along!
Our next artist announcement is scheduled for Thursday 11 February. Get ready for more great artists to be announced and added to the playing schedule. It will NOT be our final announcement. Don't forget there are close to 40 more artists yet to be announced. It is all about adding the icing on the cake and those final touches.
Take part in this fantastic competition NOW:
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Purchase your tickets between now and Thursday 11th of February and go into the draw to win this amazing prize, the perfect gift for Valentines’ day.
| 5 nights’ accommodation over Easter at Santai Casuarina Beach Resort a brand new, luxury Balinese inspired resort, only 30 minutes north of Bluesfest. |
| PLUS » 2 x VIP Festival upgrades |
This prize is valued at $2,000. We will announce the winner on our website on Friday 12th of February. Please note: Everyone has a chance to win!
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More important news - listen out:
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Bluesfest camping - selling very fast:
Although the camping space at our new home is so much bigger than at Belongil, our beautiful campground is selling very quickly now. If you know you want to camp at Bluesfest this year, don't wait around much longer. Tickets are selling very fast and we are watching them fly out the door!
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Tent Motels - 3 bed tent sold out - only limited 2 bed available:
We are almost all sold out of our allocation, and there are only very few left. They may be cut off in a matter of days, or even hours. If you want to be sure of a tent, better buy now.
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VIP Saturday Single Day tickets - almost sold out:
Will go off sale very soon - we have less than 20 tickets left for that day.
Please note: all other single days are still available, although the Sunday single day VIP entry ticket is the next one to go. Limited 5 Day and 3 Day VIP tickets are still available.
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Our Festival Director Peter Noble is very keen to tell you about some of the amazing artists playing Bluesfest. Here are some of his hot tips.
"Hi fellow Music lovers, there are so many wonderful artists performing this year and I just want to tell you a bit about them."
Béla Fleck's African Project featuring Oumou Sangaré:
First in line HAS to be Bela Fleck I let out a cry of joy when I read about Bela Fleck's 2 Grammy wins only a couple of days ago. The awards were "Best Contemporary World Music Album" for his latest album Throw Down Your Heart and "Best Pop Instrumental Performance" for the album's title track Throw Down Your Heart. Throw Down Your Heart, is an album and award-winning documentary that explores the African origins of the banjo through on-location collaborations with musicians in Uganda, Tanzania, the Gambia and Mali. As you all know Béla is coming to Australia at Easter to perform at Bluesfest and select solo sideshows, and will be joined by the inspirational African singer Oumou Sangarè and her band from Mali - for what is billed as BÉLA FLECK'S AFRICA PROJECT FEATURING OUMOU SANGARÉ AND BAND.
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Interestingly, Béla Fleck beat out his upcoming Australian touring partner, Oumou Sangarè, who was also nominated in the Best Contemporary World Music Album category!
Béla Fleck performing with Oumou Sangaré at Bluesfest Sat 3rd of April/Crossroads Stage and Monday 5th of April/Mojo Stage. Don't miss them!
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Avett Brothers:
The Avett Brothers are one of the most exciting new bands to come on the scene in a very long time, their new album: "I and Love and You" produced by Rick Rubin heralds the beginning of a major band. It peaked at #15 on the Billboard Charts (US). If you love truly great Roots Music … it's a simple don't miss them. Performing at Bluesfest on Thursday April 1/Mojo Stage and Friday April 2/Mojo Stage.
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Matisyahu:
Matisyahu has just been voted the number 3 Reggae artist of the decade by Billboard magazine. The only ones to beat Matisyahu were the late Bob Marley & The Wailers and Sean Paul. Reggae Fans take note: This is a don't miss.
Matisyahu performs at Bluesfest/Mojo Stage on
Friday April 2.
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Josh White Junior:
The last time I toured Josh White Junior was around 1980. He is the son of legendary musician Josh White, who recorded the classic songs: "St James Infirmary", "One Meatball", "John Henry", "Miss Otis Regrets", just to name a few. Josh Junior grew up playing at his father's side from the age of around 5 years old and not only performs the songs of his legendary Dad, but also his own material. Live he is simply stunning and as a Festival Director let me say, he is one of my favourite live artists I have ever heard. If you like Ruthie Foster, you will like Josh White Junior .
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These are my personal tips for this week, and I really look forward to telling you about more artists in the weeks leading up to the Festival. No doubt you will walk away from Bluesfest with a wealth of new music under your belt and some lifelong memories.
One more important suggestion I would like to leave you with: If you are looking at coming to Bluesfest for one day only, take the Thursday into consideration. Especially if you are keen to see Jack Johnson, who is playing on Saturday as well. Thursday night will be quieter and the Thursday nights are special.
There is usually a lot less people attending and everything is a bit easier to access AND you get to see the only performances of Jools Holland & His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra plus lots more. Saturday is once again going to be the biggest night at Bluesfest, so if you are coming to see especially Jack Johnson, why not come Thursday?
Or even better, you all know it's true, come for the whole Festival to get the complete experience. Best of wishes to you all & keep that countdown going.
Peter and The Bluesfest team