Bluesfest is upon us again, and that means that Sydney-siders will be treated to a flood of side shows from some of the best artists alive. This year's sideshow line ups include legends such as Buddy Guy, Sinead O'Connor, Ray Davies from The Kinks, Seasick Steve, G Love and Special Sauce and so many more.
Please see below for more details and ticket information, or head to www.bluesfest.com.au/sideshows.aspx
Buddy Guy and Keb Mo, Thursday March 13 at The Enmore Theatre
Tickets available from www.ticketek.com.au
Blues legend Buddy Guy has a colossal musical resume as well as many hard-earned accolades. He’s a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a chief guitar influence to rock titans such as Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, a pioneer of Chicago’s West Side sound, and a living link to that city’s halcyon days of electric blues. www.buddyguy.net.
Sinead O'Connor, Wednesday March 26 at The State Theatre
Tickets available for her third and final show from www.ticketmaster.com.au
Two decades after she first began transforming the pop cultural landscape with her debut album, Sinead O'Connor continues to delight and surprise, challenge and inspire with the sound of her voice and the power of her music on her latest album Theology, a double album presenting songs in both stripped down (‘Dublin Sessions’) and full band (‘London Sessions’) form. www.sineadoconnor.com
Mavis Staples, Tuesday March 18 at The Factory Theatre, Enmore
Tickets available from www.factorytheatre.com.au
Soul and gospel legend Mavis Staples possesses one of the most recognisable and treasured voices in contemporary music. From her early days sharing lead vocals with her groundbreaking family group, The Staple Singers, to her powerful solo recordings, Staples is an inspirational force in modern popular culture and music. www.mavisstaples.com
Maceo Parker, Sunday 16 and Monday 17 March at The Basement
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au
His name is synonymous with funky music, his pedigree is impeccable and his band is the tightest little funk orchestra on Earth. He’s played with each and every leader of funk such as James Brown, George Clinton and William ‘Bootsy’ Collins. More recently, Prince called on Parker to be part of his record-breaking Musicology Tour. If you want funk, make sure you head to See Maceo Parker. www.maceo.com
The Clarke/Duke Project featuring Stanley Clarke and George Duke, Saturday March 22 at Sydney Opera House Theatre
Tickets available from www.sydneyoperahouse.com
In 1981, bass soloist Stanley Clarke teamed with piano and synthesizer pioneer George Duke to form the Clarke/Duke Project. Together they recorded three albums, and are now visiting Sydney together. www.stanleyclarke.com, www.georgeduke.com
Ray Davies, Monday March 17 at The Enmore Theatre
Tickets available from www.enmoretheatre.com.au
Several noted commentators have named Ray Davies, one of rock and roll’s most successful and influential songwriters- and frontman for seminal band The Kinks, the 20th century’s finest UK songwriter. Ray Davies live in concert will be an experience for all lovers of exceptional pop songwriting, sure to include many gems from Ray’s entire catalogue. www.myspace.com/raydavies
John Hiatt, Thursday March 27 at The Enmore Theatre
Tickets available from www.enmoretheatre.com.au
Hiatt hit the ground running as an 18- year old songwriter in Nashville for artists like the Neville Brothers and Bonnie Raitt. His own highly respected solo career began in 1974 and over the next decade ran through a number of different styles from rock 'n' roll to new wave pop before he finally settled on a rootsy fusion of rock 'n' roll, country, blues and folk with his 1987 breakthrough album Bring the Family. Following this album's success, Hiatt became a reliable hit songwriter for other artists, while he developed a strong cult following. www.johnhiatt.com
Ozomatli, G Love and Special Sauce, and OAR, Thursday March 20 at The Enmore Theatre
Tickets available from www.enmoretheatre.com.au
After emerging anew with their fourth full-length studio album, Don't Mess With The Dragon, Ozomatli bring their oppositional politics and devotion to polyglot urban sound clashing to Sydney again. www.ozomatli.com
Michelle Shocked, Thursday March 27 at The Basement
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au
Perennial Bluesfest favourite, Michelle Shocked is a two-time Grammy nominee who made a big impact on the music world with a trio of acclaimed releases – her first three Mercury albums, Short Sharp Shocked, Captain Swing and Arkansas Traveler. www.michelleshocked.com
KT Tunstall, Wednesday March 19 at The Enmore Theatre
Tickets available from www.enmoretheatre.com.au
Three years ago, KT Tunstall stepped out the front door of her flat in Harlesden, London. She was off to work, and to play. She didn’t go home again until she’d recorded her debut album Eye To The Telescope; which has sold almost four million copies!
Sugarland, Wednesday March 19 at Oxford Arts Factory
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au
First there's Jennifer Nettles, the blond powerhouse who belted it out in Baptist church as a kid before spending a decade ruling the Atlanta club circuit. Then there's the charismatic Kristian Bush, the former alternative folk-rocker who grew up listening to college radio favourites The Replacements and R.E.M. Together, the two singular performers of Sugarland create an artistic partnership that is as unique as it is compelling.. www.sugarlandmusic.com
Jools Holland and His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Friday March 21 at Sydney Concert Hall
Tickets available from www.sydneyoperahouse.com
In 1987, Jools formed The Jools Holland Big Band – comprising himself and Gilson Lavis. This has gradually metamorphosed into the current mesmerising 18-piece Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. Jools and the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra now plays an average of 100 live shows each year, touring the UK and Europe to audiences in excess of 500,000. www.joolsholland.com
Lee Ritenour, Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 March at The Basement
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au
Ever prolific, Ritenour has established himself as one of the world's leading jazz guitarists with a series of accessible albums over three decades. www.leeritenour.com.
Seasick Steve, Wednesday March 26 at The Basement
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au
Seasick Steve – There’s not many who can play old-time music like Seasick Steve, or who have really lived it. Leaving home at 13 years old with only a few clothes, a sleeping bag and his guitar, Steve would hit the streets alone – going hungry, working for handouts, freight hopping across the States and playing for food. www.seasicksteve.com
Charlie Musselwhite Band and John Hammond, Thursday March 20 at The Basement
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au
Charlie Musselwhite Band – A blues legend, it's Charlie's mix of wild country abandon seasoned by years of playing urban electric blues in Chicago that spurs the likes of Ben Harper, Tom Waits and Gov't Mule to welcome Musselwhite onto their stages and records. www.charliemusselwhite.com
From coffeehouses to concert halls, festivals and beyond, John Hammond has spent forty years entertaining blues, folk and rock audiences around the world, performing intense solo-acoustic blues. www.johnhammond.com
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au
New Orleans-based Galactic started out over a decade ago as an instrumental act in the tradition of the Meters, the JB's, and Booker T. & the MG's – bands equally comfortable recording their own material or working with vocalists. www.galacticfunk.com
