Bluesfest finalises2025 artist lineup

BLUESFEST has released the fifth and final artist list for its 36th, and possibly last, festival.

Adding two more high-profile performers, the program is now complete – and organisers say 90 per cent of festival tickets have been sold.

Grammy-winning, Harvard-educated, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, songwriter and activist Tom Morello has a CV as long as some of his blistering solos. Morello’s thundering chords are groundbreaking both in his solo career and as an original member of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave.

His trademark style with RATM helped launch Morello and the band to Grammy-winning, multi-platinum success, which in turn led to his recognition by Rolling Stone Magazine as the 18th Greatest Guitar Player of All-Time.

The same signature guitar is also heard in supergroup Prophets of Rage and during his six-year stint with Bruce Springsteen’s E-Street Band.

Morello is also a dedicated political advocate and philanthropist in support of US mine and farm workers, among others. He was the 2023 Music Will Humanitarian of the Year recipient, sponsoring multiple music education programs across the country for schools in need, and is an ACLU Artist for Smart Justice.

Indonesian blues rock outfit Electric Cadillac is a high-energy act fusing Chicago blues, soul, funk, and hard-hitting rock.

The dynamic Jakarta-based group’s fresh take on classic blues-rock is defined by fiery guitar work, deep blues piano, and a crowd-throbbing rhythm section.

Both artists join a rich field of Australian and international legends, stars and emerging artists.

Bluesfest also features Crowded House, Chaka Khan, Toto, Hilltop Hoods, Missy Higgins, Vance Joy, Ocean Alley, Tones and I, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Gary Clark Jr., Christopher Cross, Maoli, Rag’n’Bone Man, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Rodrigo y Gabriela, and Budjerah.

The future of Bluesfest is still unknown after the initial announcement and rash of interviews last year to explain why organisers were pulling the plug.

The subsequent petition to save the event, initiated by NSW MP for Ballina Tamara Smith calling for a government rescue package, yielded little response. Bluesfest runs over the Easter weekend from April 17 to 20.