Bluesfest 2018 has blown every previous first lineup announcement out of the water already with the revelation that iconic Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant will be leading the charge at next year’s festival, playing solo and Led Zeppelin classics with his band The Sensational Space Shifters.
Not only that, but the legendary Lionel Richie is also headlining Bluesfest 2018, along with CHIC featuring Nile Rodgers, Prince’s band The New Power Generation, First Aid Kit, and Jose Gonzalez, plus locals John Butler Trio and Tash Sultana, and a whole lot more.
Apparently this was who the organisers actually meant when they hinted that they’d locked in their first huge headliner and had “99 artists to go”, leaving many to speculate that the solo male performer they were referring to was actually Jay Z, after previous years saw hip hop icons Nas and Kendrick Lamar on the bill.
Instead, we get an absolute icon of rock and blues at the top of the bill, something we’re sure will be just what long-term fans of the festival will be after , surrounded by other great names new and old.
This is just the first announcement, too, with plenty more on the way as we get closer and closer to the the kick-off next year on March 29 – April 2. For now, check out the full first lineup announcement below, and grab your festival and camping tickets nice and early through the Bluesfest 2018 website or by calling 02 6639 9800.
You can also check out Robert Plant’s newest single below, which makes a sly reference to the most beloved Zed Zeppelin hit of all, and is taken from his upcoming solo album Carry Fire, out October 13 – we can’t wait to hear it live at Bluesfest 2018 when he makes his way over to Australia for the first time since 2013.
Bluesfest 2018 first lineup announcement
Thursday March 29 – Monday April 2, 2018
ROBERT PLANT AND THE SENSATIONAL SPACE SHIFTERS
LIONEL RICHIE
THE JOHN BUTLER TRIO
TASH SULTANA
THE NEW POWER GENERATION
CHIC FEATURING NILE RODGERS
FIRST AID KIT
JOSE GONZALEZ
MORCHEEBA
GOV’T MULE
LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL
THE CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS
ERIC GALES
BOBBY RUSH
DUMPSTAPHUNK
JOE LOUIS WALKER
RICK ESTRIN & THE NIGHTCATS
