Bluesfest acts hit new high

BYRON Bay Bluesfest organisers have released the second round of acts for next year’s event with ZZ Top, Jethro Tull and Wolfmother joining the legendary Bob Dylan at the musical festival.

The 2011 event, in which Dylan was announced as headline act last month, already includes acts such as BB King, Ben Harper, Michael Franti, Elvis Costello and the Cat Empire. Today’s announcement cemented next year’s festival as possibly the best ever.

“The response to our first announcement has been astounding, in terms of faster-than-ever ticket sales and comments, indicating that we’ve really captured the imagination of the Australian music lovers this year,” festival director Peter Noble said.

“But we’re proud of the depth of the artist quality all the way through our first two announcements – which is why we often say our headliners might be the reason you buy a ticket to Bluesfest, but it’s everything else going down that makes you rave about it and keeps you coming back.

“Our second announcement really takes Bluesfest 2011 to another level.”

Besides Jethro Tull, ZZ Top and Wolfmother, other second round announcements include John Legend, Gurrumul, Toots and the Maytals, Pete Murray, Funky Meters, Irma Thomas, Booker T, Los Lobos, Kasey Chambers, Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, Tim Robbins and the Rogues Gallery Band, The Dingoes, Diesel, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue.

Acts announced last month include Xavier Rudd, Kate Miller-Heidke, Ash Grunwald, Jeff Lang, Saltwater Band, Rodrigo y Gabriela and the Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Aaron Neville.