West Coast Blues & Roots April 18, 2009

Over its five-year-history The West Coast Blues ’n’ Roots Festival has developed into one of the most loved homegrown festivals in WA.

And 2009’s festival stays true to the cause with our most eclectic line-up yet, crammed into one value-for-money day on Saturday, April 18, down on the beautiful Fremantle Esplanade Reserve.

And who better to head up the Sixth Annual West Coast Blues ’n’ Roots Festival than our very own John Butler Trio? Joining John Butler in one of his only live shows this summer (and sole WA show) is his friend and contemporary Missy Higgins, who makes her second appearance at the West Coast Blues ’n’ Roots Festival – also one of her only appearances for the summer.

Dweezil Zappa has been stunning audiences worldwide with his Zappa Plays Zappa tribute to his genius father – now it’s our turn. Joining the rich array of personalities on the bill is none other than the Aussie song master that is Paul Kelly, funky US residents Easy Star All-Stars and legendary US songwriter and performer Tony Joe White.

And the US indie rock poster boy that is Ben Kweller makes a return to the Freo stage, as do Aussie party-starters Blue King Brown and US hobo-turned-blues star Seasick Steve.

Throw in New York blues guru Eric Bibb, UK ska specialists The Special Beat, Irish folk hero Luka Bloom, the legendary US Blues Traveler,old-time swingers C.W. Stoneking & The Primitive Horn Orchestra, the mesmerising Little Red, phenomenal US songstress Ruthie Foster, seminal indigenous songwriter Kev Carmody, US country megastar Rodney Crowell, Aussie heartbreaker Whitley, Kiwi groover Kora and resident Aussie up-and-comer Mamma Kin and you truly have the full spectrum of global music in one place, at one time! The definitive Music Lover’s Festival.