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Thank you to Events NSW who is once again working with Bluesfest to present our exciting First Nations Stage (replacing the inDIG stage). Here, you'll be able to see a range of some of our most exciting local Indigenous artists alongside those from other countries including Solomon Islands, Hawaii and Papua New Guinea.
Our Caba Caba Ray Stage (previously Cabaret Stage) will be one wacky and wild cauldron of fun. Enjoy some old favourites and new additions in what promises to be a motley crew of very talented jugglers, gypsy punks, fire eaters, twirlers, ferals, hippies and a whole lot of other misfits!
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Our Festival Director Peter Noble will tell you more about the stunning show we're calling The Best Young Guitar Players in Australia Concert below, and you can read more about all of the great musicians announced today on the Artists section of our web site.
More news about coming to Bluesfest:
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Tickets for camping space at our new home at Tyagarah continues to sell fast, so make sure you reserve your spot before they all go. Very important: If you are bringing a caravan, campervan or motor home you need to call our office on 02 6685 8310 to register, if you have not already done so.
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Also - great news, we've been able to secure more space for Tent Motels. There are now 20 more Two Bed Tent Motels up for grabs - buy yours now.
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VIP Saturday Single Day tickets are now sold out! VIP Sunday Single Day tickets will be the next to go - and can be purchased here. Other single days are still on offer, plus Limited 5 Day and 3 Day VIP tickets are still available.
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Big congratulations to the winner of our competition prize: The 5 nights free accommodation at Santai Casuarina Beach Resort plus 2 x VIP Festival upgrades go to:
Bill Meikle from Carmoo in North Queensland.
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We also want to take a moment to remind you how excited we are to be moving Bluesfest to our permanent new home at Tyagarah Tea Tree farm just 12 minutes north of Byron Bay. You wait until you see it; such a beautiful spot, so green, so breathtaking it's almost sacred.
A note from Peter Noble, Bluesfest Festival Director:
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"Hi again fellow music lovers, this time I'd like to focus on some of the amazing young guitar players playing this year at Bluesfest.
You could say that Good Friday will be Great Guitarists day. Not only do you have the big international axe slingers at the Crossroads Stage - Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, Al Di Meola and Joe Bonamassa, (the new blues-rock wunderkind who brings Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Stevie Ray Vaughan to mind in a big way).
On top of all this going on - you also have our Major Curtain Raiser to truly whet the appetites of all our guitar lovers at Bluesfest: The Best Young Guitar Players in Australia Concert.
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It begins at 1:15pm at our APRA Bluesfest stage and features not one, not two, but three amazing players in what is destined to be one of those great Bluesfest moments. Kim Churchill, Daniel Champagne and Joe Robinson - are all just between 18 and 20 years of age and have very, very bright futures ahead of them. It's almost unbelievable to think that the stars have aligned in such a way as to deliver 3 such incredible Australian virtuoso guitar players - right here, right now.
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When I first heard Kim as he won the Blues Over Byron Busking Competition thereby getting to play at Bluesfest, I thought 'wow', here is the most exciting young guitar player I've ever heard'. But that was before I heard Daniel and Joe who are just as equally spellbinding! But watch this space - many people in Australia are saying that Kim Churchill has got everything at his age that John Butler and Xavier Rudd had at the same age, and my feeling is he's going to be just huge.
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Many local industry experts say that Daniel is actually the best young guitarist in the country, period. For reference, think Tommy Emmanuel - he's that good! Expect a virtuosic tour-de-force of Folk, Blues, Classical, Jazz and Rock styles that can only be seen to be believed. 2-hand tapping, body percussion, tasteful improvisation, and fiery runs in a swag of different tunings - this kid has got it all going on folks.
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This guy is just jaw-dropping. What can you say about someone who is marveled at by the likes of Les Paul, Steve Vai, Duane Eddy, Steve Cropper and Dweezil Zappa? What can you say about the fact that in 2009 at 18 years of age, Joe took out the 'Senior Grand Champion Performer of The World' award at the 'World Championships of Performing Arts' in Hollywood, CA… beating not only all the American guitarists but also singers, actors and dancers in a competition that draws 75,000 auditions from over 40 countries worldwide? What you can say is DO NOT miss Joe Robinson at Bluesfest!
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Suffice to say - for guitar freaks, it would be an absolute crime to see the big names mentioned above on Friday 2nd April, and miss this emerging guitarist extravaganza!
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And let's not forget Joanne Shaw Taylor from the UK, who precedes the big guns over at the Crossroads Stage on Great Guitarists Good Friday. Discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, I was lucky enough to see Joanne recently in Europe - and folks I was blown away that someone this young could play blues guitar with such utter conviction and mastery. And remember, her debut 2009 album White Sugar has just been nominated for Best New Artist Debut album at the influential US Blues music awards - not bad for someone who has yet to reach 20 years of age! Another must see.
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So that's it from me for now. All the best to you all - not long to go now!"
Peter and The Bluesfest team
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