One of the biggest annual music festivals in Australia is not too far away. StickyPoint will be covering this year’s Bluesfest, April 1st – 5th (easter Weekend) 2010.

From the source:

“Australia’s most awarded and internationally renowned festival officially will be held at its permanent new home – at the Tyagarah Tea Tree farm just off the Pacific Highway, 12 minutes north of Byron Bay.

Festival goers should also note that the new and updated playing schedule is now online, and one day tickets are now also on sale – just visit www.bluesfest.com.au to see it all.

Bluesfest 2010 looks forward to welcoming patrons on its own land – and will accommodate approximately 6,500 campers! The very spacious and natural environment is right next to the festival grounds and will include a general store, showers and toilets.

The festival itself will feature more space, more music, more stalls, and more areas to chill out, but is all about keeping in the Bluesfest tradition, which is about creating an environmentally sound, peaceful, relaxed and happy home for everyone. Regular shuttle buses will be included to and from the festival into Byron Bay, Mullumbimby and surrounding towns.”

Headliners include: Jack Johnson, Crowded House, John Butler Trio, The Fray, Jools Holland & His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Taj Mahal, John Mayall Matisyahu, Angus & Julia StoneDonavon Frankenreiter, Ozomatli, Galactic, A.L.O (Animal Liberation Orchestra), Matt Costa, Buddy Guy, Roger Hodgson from Supertramp, Gipsy Kings, Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club®, Jeff Beck and many many many more….

Just want to give a heads up on some upcoming music events well-worth checking out. We covered Island Vibe festival on Stradbroke island last year, and it was such a solid event. Great music, artwork and family-friendly vibe. The lineup this year looks sweet- they’ve just confirmed Chali 2na with a live band- sounds like good fun out there. The fest is the last weekend of October, check it out at islandvibe.com.au.

Also look out for Shapeshifter on tour in September. These guys are a live drumnbass outfit from New Zealand- definitely know how to play tight, fast and loud. They’re playing Byron Sept 9, Gold Coast Sept 10 and Brisbane Sept 11. Check out nicheproductions.com.au for more info.

Check out this tour over the next few weeks featuring De la Soul w/ live band, Cut Chemist and MC Dres:

DE LA SOUL have earned themselves a huge following in Australia and internationally since the release of their ground-breaking debut album ‘3 Feet High and Rising’ in 1989. We last saw the good-time guys in early 2008, but this time they’re splashing out and coming with a 10-piece band, made up of seasoned players from across the USA, handpicked by DE LA SOUL.

Cut Chemist, one of hip hop’s most influential DJ’s, has been confirmed as a special guest for the tour, performing in a never before seen, 3 piece live format featuring vocals from Hymnal, custom visuals, decks and fx. Cut’s profile as a member of Ozomatli, dj and producer for legendary hip hop live outfit Jurassic 5 and frequent collaborator with fellow turntablist DJ Shadow steps up to the next level as he takes his unique cut & scratch audio visual presentation to the following shows:

DE LA SOUL 2009 Australian Tour

Sunday, April 26 – METRO CITY – Perth

Friday, May 1 – THE ESPLANADE HOTEL – Melbourne

Saturday, May 2 – GROOVIN THE MOO FESTIVAL – Lou Lister Park, Townsville

Sunday, May – 3 BRISBANE Tivoli – Brisbane

Tuesday, May 5 – METRO THEATRE – Sydney

Friday, May 8 – THE SHORES COMPLEX – Adelaide

Saturday, May 9 – GROOVIN THE MOO FESTIVAL – Newcastle Showgrounds, Newcastle

Tuesday, May 12 – SFBH – Wellington

Wednesday, May 13 – LAKE KAWANA CENTER – Queenstown

Thursday, May 14 – THE BEDFORD – Christchurch

Friday, May 15 – THE POWER STATION – Auckland

Saturday, May 16 – GROOVIN THE MOO FESTIVAL – Bendigo Show Grounds, Bendigo

Whatsup! I cover music events for Stickypoint, and thought it was about time to start talking tunes on this site. I’ll be posting news, reviews, interviews and various opinions about quality music events in Oz, and artists worldwide who are blowing it up. I’d love to hear your opinions on the content, or music stuff you’ve read about in the mag- let’s make this a dope discussion!

Let’s start with some fatty links:

• some of the dopest mixes online can be found at www.djztrip.com – make sure you check out the mixes section in the forum- all free, all good!
• I’m also diggin www.woodnsoo.com – two Vancouver dudes with some sick mixes you can download for free- reggae, hip hop, funk, dubstep, dancehall, ragga, grime- all good shit!

Check back in the coming weeks for exclusive reviews & interviews.