The first Bluesfest lineup for 2025 has been revealed, with the likes of Crowded House and Tones and I joined by Ocean Alley, Gary Clark Jr. and Rag'n'Bone Man.
The first Bluesfest lineup is here, with 20 artists announced for the 36th and final Byron Bay Bluesfest. Bluesfest 2025 will take place from April 17-20, 2025, marking the end of an era for Australia’s most iconic and highly awarded music festival.
The first wave of artists has been announced, promising an unforgettable farewell.
Bluesfest lineup
- Crowded House
- Vance Joy
- Ocean Alley
- Tones and I
- Gary Clark Jr.
- Rag’n’Bone Man
- RY X
- Allison Russell
- Christone Kingfish Ingram
- Brad Cox
- Here Come The Mummies (exclusive)
- The California Honeydrops (exclusive)
- Marc Broussard
- Pierce Brothers
- Taj Farrant (exclusive)
- Fanny Lumsden
- 19-Twenty
- WILSN
- Cimafunk (exclusive)
- Neal Francis (exclusive)
The final Bluesfest Byron Bay
- 17 April – 20 April 2025 (Thursday – Sunday)
- Byron Events Farm, Byron Bay
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Festival Director Peter Noble OAM expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support from the community, artists, and their management. He shared his excitement for the lineup, describing it as a tribute to Bluesfest’s rich legacy, featuring a mix of legendary and cutting-edge performers.
Bluesfest Byron Bay has been a cornerstone of Australian music since 1990, hosting an array of iconic artists over the years. The final edition in 2025 will be a four-day event held at the 300-acre Byron Events Farm, just 11km north of Byron Bay. This farewell festival will feature multiple stages and a diverse lineup that spans the best in blues, roots music, and beyond.
This final Bluesfest is not just the end of an era; it’s a celebration of everything the festival has stood for over the past 35 years – music, community, and unforgettable experiences.
Highlights from the first Bluesfest lineup
Crowded House
Leading this extraordinary lineup, Bluesfest is thrilled to welcome back Crowded House. Neil Finn and his bandmates are legends in the worldwide music scene, known for timeless hits like Don’t Dream It’s Over and Weather With You. Crowded House has played at Bluesfest before, delivering some of the most memorable performances in the festival’s history. Their recent album, Gravity Stairs, debuted at No. 1 on the Australian albums charts, and their live shows continue to draw massive crowds. They are set to take the stage at the final Bluesfest.
Vance Joy
One of Australia’s biggest stars, Vance Joy, returns to Australia to join Bluesfest for the first time after captivating audiences worldwide since his breakout hit Riptide. With over 5 billion streams and hits like Mess is Mine and Lay It On Me, Vance Joy has established himself as one of Australia’s most beloved singer-songwriters. Bluesfest is honoured to have him for the final festival.
Ocean Alley
Ocean Alley is another incredible Australian band that has taken the world by storm. Known for their smooth grooves and psychedelic rock sound, they’ve become a staple in the music scene with hits like Confidence, which has gone 6x Platinum. They first played Bluesfest in 2019, and have since grown in stature, becoming one of Australia’s biggest bands both at home and around the world. Their live performances are simply unforgettable, and they are set to return to the Bluesfest stage.
Tones and I
Breaking through as a busker (including the Bluesfest Busking Competition) and now a global sensation selling out stadiums around Australia, Tones and I has rewritten the rules of pop music with her hit Dance Monkey, which became the most streamed song of all time by an Australian female artist with over 12 billion streams. This will be her debut on the Bluesfest main stage, where she promises to put on the show of the year. She was recently a special guest on Pink’s record-breaking tour and is now selling out arenas.
Gary Clark Jr.
Gary Clark Jr. is a modern-day bluesman whose extraordinary talent has transcended genres, blending his roots in blues with rock, soul, and even hip-hop. His searing guitar work and soulful voice have earned him multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance. Gary last played Bluesfest in 2019, delivering one of the most powerful sets the festival has ever seen. His ability to blend blues, rock, and soul makes him a standout artist of his time, and Bluesfest is ecstatic to have him return.
Rag’n’Bone Man
UK Neo-blues soul superstar Rag’n’Bone Man is known for his hit Human, which became a global anthem. Bluesfest is excited to welcome this powerful performer to the lineup. His debut album went 4x platinum in the UK, and his collaborations with major artists have solidified his place as one of the most distinctive voices in modern music.
Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram
Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, the young blues sensation who has already won a Grammy, will be gracing the Bluesfest stage. His extraordinary talent has made him one of the most talked-about artists in the blues scene today. His electrifying performances and guitar-driven sound have captivated audiences worldwide, earning him widespread acclaim and a growing influence in the Blues scene.
RY X
RY X, a native of North Coast NSW who grew up on Woodford Island and is now an international star selling out venues like Royal Albert Hall, will also be performing. His music, which resonates on a global scale, has captivated audiences around the world and earned him collaborations with major artists such as Drake and John Legend.
Allison Russell
Joining them is Allison Russell, the Grammy-winning storyteller whose powerful music has captivated audiences worldwide. Her performance is sure to be one of the highlights of the festival.
Brad Cox
Brad Cox, one of Australia’s most celebrated country artists, is known for his chart-topping albums and electrifying live shows. His presence at the final Bluesfest adds a strong country flavour to the lineup.
Here Come The Mummies
After being inundated with requests, Bluesfest is thrilled to welcome back Here Come The Mummies, the high-energy eight-piece funk-rock band that became fan favourites after their 2024 performance.
Taj Farrant
Taj Farrant, the 15-year-old guitar prodigy who took Bluesfest by storm last year, returns as well. His incredible talent has made him a rising star in the music world.
19-Twenty
19-Twenty also returns after their electrifying performances in 2024 left fans wanting more. They are sure to bring the same energy to the final Bluesfest.
Pierce Brothers
Not forgetting Pierce Brothers, who were standout performers at this year’s festival. Twin brothers Jack and Patrick Pierce have carved out an indomitable presence in the Australian indie-folk and Blues & roots scene. Their high-energy performances and magnetic stage presence have made them a must-see band on the global music scene.
WILSN
WILSN, another standout performer from this year’s festival, will also be returning to the Bluesfest stage. WILSN’s blend of classic soul and contemporary flair has captured the attention of the US music industry and audiences worldwide. Her powerful voice and timeless sound continue to make her one of Australia’s most exciting new voices in soul music.
Marc Broussard
Hailing from Carencro, Louisiana, is a powerhouse vocalist renowned for his ability to blend the soulful traditions of his Southern roots with contemporary R&B, rock, and Blues. Growing up in the heart of Cajun country, Marc was immersed in music from a young age—his father, Ted Broussard, was a member of the legendary Boogie Kings, and this rich musical heritage deeply influenced Marc’s sound. His major-label debut, Carencro, released in 2004, brought him into the national spotlight with the hit single Home, a gritty, heartfelt anthem that perfectly showcases his deep emotional connection to his music.
Cimafunk
Cimafunk, the Cuban sensation blending funk, soul, and Afro-Cuban rhythms, is making his Bluesfest debut. Cimafunk is redefining Cuban music on the global stage with his unique blend of funk, soul, and Afro-Cuban rhythms. His rise has been meteoric, earning him multiple Grammy nominations.
The California Honeydrops
The California Honeydrops will deliver their infectious retro-soul and spontaneous live energy to the festival. Their performance is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Fanny Lumsden
Fanny Lumsden, one of Australia’s most esteemed country artists, known for her ARIA Award-winning albums and energetic live shows, will also grace the stage. Her distinct storytelling and vibrant performances are not to be missed. With 2 ARIA Awards and 9 Golden Guitars to her name, Fanny Lumsden has firmly established herself as one of the most steemed performers in the country music scene. Her unique sound and compelling storytelling continue to break the mold.
Neal Francis
Neal Francis, whose intoxicating blend of funk, soul, and rock has solidified his status as a modern soul icon, will also be performing at the final Bluesfest, harking back to the golden era of the late 1960s and 1970s. His deeply introspective and soulful sound has solidified his status as a modern soul icon.
Stay tuned for the second Bluesfest lineup announcement soon.
