John Butler Trio Go Far and Wide

The John Butler Trio have spent the past few months on a grueling schedule to release their new April Uprising album simultaneously in eleven markets around the world.

Australian fans of the John Butler Trio will be pleased to hear that their national April Uprising Tour of Australia is taking place in August and September with tickets on sale on Monday 31st May.

The April Uprising Tour will see John and his new band mates Nicky Bomba (drums and percussion) and Byron Luiters (bass) visit all capital cities and a host of major regional centres around the country. It will be their largest Australian tour since the release of the multiple platinum selling album Sunrise Over Sea in 2004. Of course Nicky Bomba isn’t exactly a new member but rather an old member returning. Either way he’s one of the best rhythm men in this country.

Special guests Blue King Brown will open proceedings at all shows.

The April Uprising Tour will be supporting The Wilderness Society, The Australian Conservation Foundation and Oxfam’s Close the Gap Campaign.

Friday 27th August
Fremantle Arts Centre, WA (under the big top) – Licensed / All Ages

Tuesday 31st August
Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre, Adelaide, SA – Licensed / All Ages

Thursday 2nd September
WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, NSW – Licensed / All Ages

Friday 3rd September
Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, NSW – Licensed / All Ages

Sunday 5th September
Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart, TAS – Licensed event / Over 18’s only

Tuesday 7th September
Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle, NSW – Licensed / All Ages

Wednesday 8th September
Coffs.Ex Services Club, Coffs Harbour, NSW – Licensed / Over 18’s only

Saturday 11th September
Reggaetown Festival – Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, Cairns, QLD

Sunday 12th September
Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville, QLD – Licensed / All Ages
‘Union Of Soul Concert’ – The John Butler Trio with The Cat Empire, Blue King Brown and Mama Kin

Wednesday 15th September
Royal Theatre, Canberra, ACT – Licensed / All Ages

Friday 17th September
Festival Hall, Melbourne, VIC – Licensed / All Ages

Saturday 18th September
Schweppes Centre, Bendigo, VIC – Licensed / All Ages

Tuesday 21st September
The Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre, Mackay, QLD – Licensed / All Ages

Wednesday 22nd September
The Great Western, Rockhampton, QLD – Licensed event / Over 18’s only

Thursday 23rd September
The Riverstage, Brisbane, QLD – Licensed / All Ages

Friday 24th September
The Empire Theatre, Toowoomba, QLD – Licensed / All Ages

Monday 27th September
The Mangrove Resort Hotel, Broome, WA – Strictly Licensed 18 Plus

Ben Harper to headline East Coast Blues Festival

Ben Harper has been announced as the headliner for the 20th Anniversary edition of the East Coast Roots and Blues Music Festival at Byron Bay.

Harper will be joined by his new band the Relentless 7 as he plays his only festival or theatre shows on this tour at Byron.

But Ben Harper’s appearance is only one of the highlights of the first announcement of acts. Joining Harper will be the like minded John Butler Trio, the increasingly impressive Missy Higgins, Michael Franti and Spearhead, the wonderful Lucinda Williams, the returning Angelique Kidjo, perennial Tony Joe White, the resurgent Toni Childs, Luka Bloom, Australian pop artisans Augie March and the possible highlight (for some) Dweezil Zappa playing the music of his father Frank Zappa.

Numerous other acts have already been announced and can be seen at www.bluesfest.com.au with further announcements still to come.

The festival, as always, takes place over Easter, April 9-13. The price of a 5 day ticket is a very reasonable $399. Various other ticket price options are available.