BYRON BAY BLUESFEST 36TH FESTIVAL EASTER 2025 APRIL 17 – 20 APRIL 2025 FOUTH ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT

15/01/2025 News

Chaka Khan
A Celebration of 50+ years in music
EXCLUSIVE

Toto
Christopher Cross
Maoli
Clarence Bekker Band
Hussy Hicks
Eric Stang
The Steele Syndicate
The Royals

 

Bluesfest 2025 continues to solidify its reputation as Australia’s premier music event with the announcement of its fourth wave of artists. Headlined by R&B legend Chaka Khan,rock icons Toto, the timeless sound of Christopher Cross, and the Polynesian vibes ofMaoli. Further to these artists we are adding Clarence Bekker Band, Hussy Hicks, Eric Stang to this announcement, which delivers an eclectic mix of world-class talent, showcasing the diversity of music that Bluesfest has come to represent.

Chaka Khan (A Celebration of 50+ years in music), is a ten-time Grammy winner and one of the most influential artists of all time. Recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Chaka Khan has spent five decades captivating audiences with her unparalleled vocal range and iconic tracks such as “I’m Every Woman” and “Ain’t Nobody.” Her career spans collaborations with legends, impactful theater performances, and ventures into various creative fields. Beyond her music, Chaka Khan’s philanthropic work and commitment to mental health advocacy have left an indelible mark on the world. HerEXCLUSIVE performance at Bluesfest 2025 promises to be a soulful and electrifying highlight of the festival.

Joining Chaka Khan is Toto, one of the most enduring and iconic rock bands of the last five decades, will bring their legendary hits to the Bluesfest stage. Known for timeless anthems like “Africa,” “Hold The Line,” and “Rosanna,” Toto continues to captivate audiences across generations. With a career spanning over 50 million album sales, six billion streams across platforms, and a repertoire played millions of times daily on Spotify alone, Toto remains a musical powerhouse. Their members, including Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams, are renowned for their contributions to countless Grammy-winning albums, having won six Grammy’s in total. At Bluesfest, audiences can expect a masterclass in musicianship, with hits that have defined rock and roll history.

Christopher Cross, whose career began with an unprecedented sweep of five Grammy Awards for his debut album, brings his timeless melodies to Bluesfest. Known for hits like “Sailing,” “Ride Like the Wind,” and “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do),” Cross has sold over 10 million albums and earned an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and an Emmy nomination. With a career spanning more than four decades, he remains a master of crafting elegant, emotionally resonant songs. Christopher Cross’s set at Bluesfest will be a journey through decades of musical excellence, from his Grammy-winning debut to his celebrated recent releases.

Adding a Polynesian flair to the lineup is Maoli, hailed as Hawaii and Polynesia’s top independent commercial recording artist. Led by Glenn Awong, Maoli has taken their distinctive island sound across the globe, selling out tours in Hawaii, the U.S. New Zealand, and Australia. With award-winning albums like Sense of Purpose and headline performances at festivals such as Cali Roots, Maoli’s blend of reggae and island music will bring a fresh and vibrant energy to Bluesfest 2025. Maoli’s upcoming Australian tour this February is sold out, so your last chance to see this amazing band will be at Bluesfest.

Also Joining the Lineup

Bluesfest 2025 is thrilled to welcome the Clarence Bekker Band, led by the charismatic Clarence Bekker, whose soulful voice and electrifying stage presence have captivated audiences globally. Known for his work with Playing For Change and viral success with over 200 million views online, Clarence and his band bring an energy-packed blend of soul, funk, and pop that’s sure to mesmerise festival-goers.

Hussy Hicks join the lineup fresh from winning the 2024 Gold Coast Music Award for “Live Act of the Year” and topping the Australian Independent Record Labels Association album charts. Their dynamic performances blend blues, roots, and folk, making them a standout addition to this year’s festival.

Eric Stang is set to deliver another unforgettable performance. Known for starring as Jerry Lee Lewis in the Tony Award-winning musical Million Dollar Quartet and performing with Selena Gomez on major shows like The Tonight Show, Eric’s explosive energy and versatile talent promise to captivate audiences once again.

Rounding out this announcement are the winners of the 2024 Bluesfest Busking Competition: The Steele Syndicate and The Royals. Both artists impressed judges and audiences alike with their dynamic performances and will now take the stage at Bluesfest, showcasing the next generation of exceptional musical talent.

Bluesfest is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Bluesfest Byron Bay has been Australia’s premier contemporary Blues, Roots, and Beyond music festival since 1990. What started as a humble celebration of Blues & Roots music has grown into one of the most significant music festivals in the world. Of our many awards being recognized in the top 10 music festivals of the world from Pollstar, demonstrates the significance of this festival not just locally but around the world.

Over the years, the festival has hosted an incredible array of iconic artists, including Blues legends like BB King and Buddy Guy, music legends such as Santana, James Brown, Bob Dylan, Mavis Staples, Paul Simon, Bonnie Rait and Robert Plant, and contemporary greats like Dave Matthews Band, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, John Mayer, Mary J Blige, and Kendrick Lamar, who made his first festival appearance in Australia at Bluesfest. Let’s not forget the amazing Australian artists that have played such as Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, Kasey Chambers and Crowded House and so many more.

Bluesfest 2025 will be a four-day event, offering a power-packed experience that will close the curtain on this legendary institution. Held over the Easter long weekend from April 17 to 20, 2025, at the beautiful 300-acre Byron Events Farm, just 11km north of Byron Bay, the festival will continue to uphold its commitment to quality, featuring multiple stages and a diverse lineup that spans the best in Blues, Roots Music, and Beyond.

Recognised globally for its excellence, Bluesfest has earned numerous accolades, making it the most awarded music festival in the Australian entertainment industry including wining Gold for best Major Festival in the NSW Tourism awards for Bluesfest 2024.

Awards include:

  • 1 WIN at the Keeping the Blues Alive Award Memphis for Bluesfest Director Peter Noble
  • 10 WINS at the NSW Tourism Awards for Major Festivals and Events including Gold for Bluesfest 2024 (7 Gold, 3 Silver)
  • Induction into the NSW Tourism Awards Hall of Fame in 2019 for three wins a row.
  • 8 WINS at the North Coast Tourism Awards for Major Festivals & Events
  • 4 WINS at the Helpmann Awards for Best Contemporary Music Festival (Ceremony for Australia’s most talented and celebrated performers and industry)
  • 1 WIN at the Helpmann Awards for Best International Contemporary Concert
  • 8 WINS at the Australian Event Awards for Best Cultural & Music and Event of The Year
  • 6 NOMINATIONS for NSW for Major Festivals & Events at the Australian Tourism Awards (2 Silver, 1 Bronze)
  • 10 NOMINATIONS at the Pollstar Awards (USA) for International Festival of the Year  (No other Australian Festival nominated in this or last decade)
  • 1 WIN at the Pollstar Awards (USA) for International Festival of the Decade with a top 10 finish in 2021.
  • 1 WIN at the first Variety Awards for Festival of the Year – Bluesfest 2024