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Saturday April 8 at the inaugural Bluesfest Melbourne just got even more spectacular with the addition of five of Australia’s finest roots-blues singer-songwriters – John Butler, Russell Morris, Frank Sultana, expat New Zealander Rod Paine and Karen Lee Andrews – while the sensational young Indigenous artist Kee’ahn will grace the stage on both Saturday and Sunday April 9.

In association with the multi-award-winning Byron Bay Bluesfest, over the 2023 Easter weekend Bluesfest Melbourne will take over the Convention and Exhibition Centre, situated on the banks of the beautiful Birrarung (Yarra River), and transform it into a full weather proof festival precinct showcasing some of the biggest names in music from around the world across multiple indoor theatres and stages, fantastic food and drink, family entertainment and so much more.

On the eve of his debut solo tour of North America, the chart-topping multi-ARIA and APRA Award-winning John Butler will showcase songs from across his career, both solo and trio.

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John Butler

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He’s bound to sing The Real Thing, the Johnny Young written, Ian “Molly” Meldrum produced single that put him on top of the Australian charts for weeks in 1969, but Russell Morris has been more than busy in the intervening years and in 2022 topped ARIA’s Jazz & Blues Album chart with The Dreams Of Jack Chrome, his sequel to the album he recorded with Rick “Jessie’s Girl” Springfield in 2021, Jack Chrome And The Darkness Waltz. Expect surprises!

Winner of the 2023 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, Frank Sultana, the guy from Kiama on the NSW South Coast, has proven himself amongst the world’s best in the home of the Blues. 

Inspired by the legends of blues harmonica – Junior Wells, Little Walter and Howlin’ Wolf – Rod Paine has carved himself an enviable career within the Melbourne blues community with his retro-blues outfit The Fulltime Lovers.

Drawing as much on her Polynesian background as soul, gospel or the blues to create her own genre, Oceanic Blues, the sultry Karen Lee Andrews has a brand new EP titled Edin (“place of pleasure”) to showcase when she takes the Bluesfest Melbourne stage.

A proud Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal, Zenadh Kes song woman, Kee’ahn was awarded the Archie Roach Foundation Award at the 2020 National Indigenous Music Awards.

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They will join Ash Grunwald, The Backsliders, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Geoff Achison & The Souldiggers, Kasey Chambers, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Robert Glasper – who recently received his fifth Grammy Award for Best R&B Album for Black Radio III – Shaun Kirk, Southern Avenue, The Doobie Brothers and Xavier Rudd. 

On Sunday Kee’ahn will be joining CW Stoneking, Chain, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, FOOLS, Eric Gales, Greensky Bluegrass, Henry Wagons, Kaleo, Keb’ Mo’, Lucinda Williams, Paolo Nutini, Southern Avenue, Steve Earle and, let’s not forget, the legendary godfather of Chicago blues and genuine American musical living treasure, Buddy Guy, performing his last ever Australian concert at Melbourne Bluesfest.

With a range of ticket options to suit every festival-goer, Bluesfest Melbourne tickets are still available through here.

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AMNPLIFY – ML