February 22nd 2011 - Yes folks, get set for the galactic party of a lifetime to begin as Bluesfest today unveils YET ANOTHER amazing, star-studded line up of musical madness! And watch this space for yet more artists… you may be thinking Bluesfest 2011 is at capacity, but people, we still ain't finished yet!

Festival director Peter Noble said, "It's all coming together in a lineup that highlights what makes Bluesfest unique: a joyous, inclusive atmosphere with simply the best musicians on the planet, from multiple cultures, across all generations, who ABSOLUTELY DELIVER the tastiest gumbo mix of blues, roots, reggae, gospel, funk, hip hop, and soul.

"I'm often asked: how does Bluesfest keep growing while staying fresh and relevant? Well, we keep it simple with such great artists you cannot sit still to, who pump up the feel good factor, and who represent the finest musicianship on earth. One look across the 2011 Bluesfest lineup, and well, it ain't surprising that some industry pundits are asking: 'Hang on, could this be the best festival lineup in Australian history???'

"Well, for Bluesfest, it may just be… but hey, we'll leave the speculation to you guys!"

TICKETS NEWS

Take note please:

There are single day tickets for the Thursday and Tuesday at Bluesfest 2011, all other single day tickets Friday/Saturday/Sunday & Monday are all now sold out!

On our 6th Day -Tuesday April 26th, there are single-day tickets left as mentioned, and please note that gates open at 11am, music starts at 2pm and finishes at 10pm, allowing for everyone to get home in plenty of time for work the next day!

Little Feat - distinctive Californian-style songwriting, exceptional musicians and an eclectic blend of R&B, country, blues and rock and roll are the foundations behind Little Feat's 42 year career. Yet another classic artist to add to Bluesfest 2011!

Fishbone - Definitely a Bluesfest favourite, and back for now their 3rd appearance, Fishbone is on festival director Peter Noble's top 10 list of the best bands to ever play Bluesfest! Do not miss them and their charged blend of ska, funk, punk and rock complete with trademark humour and sharp social commentary. The LA -based Fishbone began in 1979, came to fame in the late 1980s, and influenced countless bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Primus, Public Enemy, and Jane's Addiction along the way.

Cecilia Noël - all the way from Peru, here is the Queen of Salsoul, Cecilia Noël - sometimes also known as the Latin Tina Turner - serving up a potent blend of salsa, soul, jazz, funk, and afro-Cuban rhythms. Noël also performs and records with husband and former Men At Work front man, Colin Hay!

Osibisa - another exclusive Bluesfest appearance, Osibisa are no less than the ORIGINAL SUPERSTARS OF AFRICAN MUSIC! Their energetic and spiritual fusion of African, Caribbean, jazz, rock, Latin and R&B sounds feature Criss-Cross rhythms that just explode with happiness! Still regarded as one of the best live African/World Music bands performing today,

CLASSIC Osibisa songs include: "The Dawn Song", "Woyaya", "Welcome Home", and "Sunshine Day." And their seminal albums Osibisa, Woyaya, Heads, and Welcome Home are bedrock essential must have recordings in any complete collection of 60's and 70's music. Come see why they've influenced so many African performers and are responsible for introducing African music to European and North American audiences.

Leah Flanagan - a wonderful artist and one of the leading lights of the vibrant Darwin music scene, Leah Flanagan claims a unique blend of Australian indigenous, Italian and Irish heritage which compliments her diverse and unique take on folk/country music. As a result of her first appearance at Bluesfest 2008, Leah is now headlining festivals all over Australia and just completed the Jimmy Buffet tour as his special guest. Her new, second CD release, Nirvana Nights, is nothing short of sublime and Jeff Apter from the SMH ain't joking when he says, "Equal parts Lucinda Williams and Shirley Bassey, Flanagan is a rich talent."

Kim Churchill - Another proud Bluesfest discovery, Kim Churchill is a rising star of the Australian guitar playing and roots music scene. He won the Bluesfest Byron Buskers competition in 2009, then proceeded to become the highest selling artist at our CD tent at Bluesfest 2010 - I'm mean, wow, c'mon - he even beat out all the big name international artists! Kim is now touring the world, backed by U.S. and Canadian agency representation, so folks, check him out (and his distinctive finger picking and slide guitar melodies) because you can say you saw him when, before he became huge!

Grace Woodroofe - This exceedingly talented, 20-year-old indie-blues chanteuse from Perth was signed to The Masses Music Company founded by the late Heath Ledger, who played a major role in discovering her. Her debut, Always Want was produced by Ben Harper who describes her as one of the best young artists he's heard, saying, "she's just so world-class." He ain't joking folks, so make sure you come and find out why!

The Red Eyes - People, the word is out - The Red Eyes are definitely on the next big thing list. These Melbourne-based dub/reggae superstars bring their unique sound, masterfully produced beats, and soulful lyrics to Bluesfest and we can't wait! The seven core members of the band are all talented multi-instrumentalists who lead riotous, larger-than -life performances, and appearances at festivals throughout Australia have earned them BIG fans across the whole country!

Lowrider - Adelaide funk/soul foursome Lowrider, after forming in 2004, developed a reputation for putting on an awesome live show, and this has seen them perform with some of the biggest acts to tour Australia including Christina Aguilera, Lupe Fiasco, and Alicia Keys! Get along to see Lowrider for an injection of their melodic, vintage urban soul!

Melbourne Ska Orchestra - An institution on the Melbourne music scene, the Melbourne Ska Orchestra, led by Jon Butler Trio drummer Nicky Bomba is a 26 piece ska orchestra extravaganza! Conducted by Nicky in his ad hoc style, the music covers the golden ska period of 1963 (Skatalites/Wailers) through to the British Two Tone craze (Madness , Specials,etc) and anything positive and significant in between!

Here is a real treat for Bluesfest fans: an Australian super group - getting together for a one time only performance at Bluesfest 2011! Featuring no less than Jack Thompson, AM - The Quintessential all - Aussie actor , thinker, social activist, poet, larrikin, all round good bloke (and of course much loved and respected star of acclaimed films like Breaker Morant, The Man from Snowy River, The Sum of Us, Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil, Mao's Last Dancer, Australia, The Assassination of Richard Nixon, and Bourke & Wills) - and did you know, Jack's an accomplished blues harmonica player too? Joining Jack as his ALL STAR BAND are other music legends Normie Rowe (vocals & guitar) and Kevin Borich (vocals & lead guitar). To start with Normie Rowe - this is the guy who was Australia's most popular male star in the 1960s and has had more hit records than anyone else in the history of Aussie music. That's right, more than even The Easybeats, John Farnham, The Bee Gees (whilst they resided here), Air Supply, and Cold Chisel - impressive! Normie's hits have included: "Shaken all Over", "It Ain't Necessarily So", " Stay With Me Baby", "I (Who Have Nothing)", "Que Sera Sera", "Tell Him I'm Not Home", "Ooh La La""Pride & Joy", and "It's Not Easy"!

Bayjah - New Innisfail indigenous rock four piece Bayjah are making quite a name for themselves across Australia with the launch of their debut album, "Between". Bayjah, which means "native ginger" in the group's native Jiddabal language, are proud to play their own original rock songs which are blended with the sound of the didgeridoo.

The Aggrolites - A Californian ska/punk band that also blend in a tough style of reggae, The Aggrolites, are heading for their debut Bluesfest performance! These guys are in the same vein as Slightly Stoopid - and like just about all ska punk bands from Cali - are heavily influenced by Fishbone. Renowned for the melodious ska reggae grooves, The Aggrolites popularity has grown since they formed in 2002, the band supporting greats such as Prince Buster and Culture lead singer Joseph Hill.

Wagons - Back again after wowing Bluesfest audiences last year, Melbourne alt-country band Wagons are a group of gentlemen with incredible talent, range and ability. United by the love of the music of Scott Walker, Lee Hazelwood, Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond and the harmonies of the Louvin' Brothers, five school friends banded together in the late 90's to perform the songs of their enigmatic leader, Henry Wagons.

Resin Dogs - Here's another local Bluesfest fan favourite! Bound to get the party started are Brisbane's Resin Dogs, a loose collective of talented musicians and DJs who take an inspiring and original cut and paste approach to music.  Mixing live music, turntables and guest MCs, Resin Dogs produce a mash up of sounds; modern hip hop is drenched with breakbeat, dance hall, dub and funk!

Yodelice - With a voice reminiscent of Cat Stevens or Ray LaMontagne and songs that are a blend influences ranging from ethnic folk songs to JJ Cale, French pop singer songwriter Yodelice will bring his lush act to Bluesfest 2011 for the first time.

Get ready for this: Rock legend Leon Russell + cult band Little Feat are joining forces for an Australian live extravaganza!

Genius musician, arranger, producer, and songwriter, Leon Russell is about to receive more of the acclaim he deserves. 2011 is the year of the re-discovery of Leon Russell, marked by his acclaimed 2010 collaboration album with Elton John called The Union (which charted in the Top Ten in US and Canada and went Silver in the UK), a feature article in RollingStone, and soon to be followed with his being inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011 for "Music Excellence"!

He was a part of Phil Spector's studio group that created the famous the 'Wall of Sound', and just some of the artists who have performed Leon Russell's songs include: Joe Cocker ("Delta Lady"), Ray Charles, Herbie HancockandChristina Aguilera ("A Song for You"), The Carpenters, Luther Vandross, Sonic Youth ("Superstar"), plus Helen Reddy and George Benson ("This Masquerade") - and many more.

Leon Russell's career of collaboration runs the musical gamut from Sinatra to the Stones, the Beach Boys and BB King. He's written some of the most-covered songs in the pop songbook, and three Stones and two Beatles performed on his debut solo record,  and after Joe Cocker's 1969 version of "Delta Lady", he then went on to organise Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen Tour - documented in the famous concert film with the same name.

The quality of Bluesfest artists never ceases to amaze us. We'd like to offer a BIG CONGRATS to the following Bluesfest 2011 artists who were recently recognised at the 2011 Grammy Awards:

John Legend - the artist fusing old school soul with modern roots music and hip hop - has taken out no less than 3 Grammys! Best R&B Album for Wake Up!, Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for"Hang On In There," andBestR&B Song for "Shine" - great stuff!

Congratulations also to Mavis Staples, one of the 100 Greatest Singers of all time (RollingStone) who has won in the category of Best Americana Album for the sublime You Are Not Alone - her collaboration record with Wilco's Jeff Tweedy.

New premium accommodation option available at Bluesfest 2011: book a recycled tepee in the 'Tepee Life' village!

We can now offer a limited amount of comfortable, recycled tepees for booking at this year's festival, thanks to our friends over at Tepee Life.

Tepee Life provides a unique, premium accommodation option for those who prefer a hassle free camping experience at Bluesfest.

Each tepee sleeps six people comfortably and includes 6x single mattresses, a table, an LED lantern and one campsite parking spot per tepee booking - you just bring your own bedding.

The price per tepee is $1250 (as low as $30/person/night!) for the duration of the festival and the tepees are located in two separate, prime locations inside the camping grounds. You will need accompanying camping tickets to purchase a Tepee AND if you have not got your camping at Bluesfest secured this is your chance to purchase your camping tickets alongside your tepee. $207 per Adult & $104 per child for 5 day camping. NOTE: Camping bookings are taken through the Tepee Life office not the Bluesfest office. Please read on for further info!

There are two types of tepees available for booking at Bluesfest 2011 - choose between booking a tepee in the Tepee Life village and enjoy the communal facilities, or book one of the solo tepees for a slightly more private experience.