0 Comments Two Festivals Down Under April 9-13

New South Wales, on the east coast of Australia, is the location for two festivals over Easter weekend: the East Coast Blues and Roots Music Festival (“BluesFest”) in Byron Bay, in the far northeast corner of the province, and the National Folk Festival in Canberra, 1,000 kilometers to the south. Both festivals have attracted some outstanding musicians.

Artists playing BluesFest include local acoustic folk performer Cheynne Murphy, gospel legends Blind Boys of Alabama, alternative country husband-and-wife duo Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson, folk duo Nardi Simpson and Kaleena Briggs, known as Stiff Gins (their name a reclamation of a derogatory term for Aboriginal women in Australia) and (I just have to mention this guy) rockin’ blues musician Seasick Steve, a former hobo who became an “overnight success” after years of performing music people didn’t hear.

The National Folk Festival offers folk music and dance performances and workshops. Among the many scheduled artists are Australian band Wongawilli, Scottish-born Canadian singer David Francey, Australian trio The Fiddle Chicks (Emma Luker, Kim Perry and Dee Trewartha) and Australian singer/songwriter Neil Murray. There are so many excellent musicians playing this festival that it was hard to pick just a few representative performers. You can listen to highlights here or check out the program for the full list.