Bluesfest regulars, the legendary Australian blues band, Backsliders return in a re-invented format—celebrating and paying tribute to long-time drummer and key songwriter, Rob Hirst.

Three-time Sydney Blues Society ‘Traditional Blues Artist of the Year Award’ recipient, Dom Turner, is guitarist, lead vocalist, and founding member. Dom has toured internationally and has a number of international music collaborations, including The Turner Brown Band and with US blues legends Phil Wiggins, RL Boyce, Sunpie Barnes and Kenny Brown. In 2024, Dom guested with both The Tedeschi Trucks Band and The Allman Betts Family Band.

Joe Glover is one of Australia’s most innovative and dynamic harmonica and banjo players, and has toured and performed regularly with Backsliders in recent years.

In the tradition of bands such as The Allman Brothers and The Tedeschi Trucks Band, the line-up will feature two drummers onstage—Rosscoe Clark and Hamish Stuart—both legends of Australian music.

It’s a lineup that carries serious weight, not just on the Australian blues scene, but across genres and styles the world over. The achievements, success, reviews and awards over the band’s 40 years tell it all.