Bluesfest

“I am neither religious nor spiritual in my personal life, but I accept others that are. Every soul in the room was reverberating, together in time. It was surreal.” – Ghost Cult Mag
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Ritual collective HEILUNG will perform in Australia for the first time ever in March 2023.

Since its inception in 2015, the enigmatic ritual collective has been paving melodic paths to the past with their unique and mystifying sound. Evading all conventional genre tags and the confines of any specific labels, the group aptly self-describes their sound as “amplified history,” emphasizing their ability to connect modern society with the rudiments of humanity’s beginnings through music. 

Featuring authentic and archaic instrumentation that ranges from rattles and ritual bells to human bones and throat singing enveloped in a foundation of heavy, rhythmical drumming, Heilung’s captivating brand of music is far from primitive. Producer and founding member Christopher Juul implements subtle electronic elements that elevates the musical atmosphere and provides an in-depth and layered soundscape. 

Heilung’s success has been unprecedented, achieving milestones in its few short years of existence that many do not see in a lifetime. The collective already had rapidly been growing a buzz upon the self-release of their first full-length, ‘Ofnir,’ in 2015, but their dizzying upward trajectory really took off from the moment they set foot on the stage at Castlefest in 2017 for the now-legendary debut of their live ritual. Luckily for those who were not fortunate enough to bare witness to this magical event, the full ceremony was captured on film, having since been viewed by tens of millions of fans across the globe. 

“All the songs on our (just released) third album ‘Drif’ have their own stories,”  adds Heilung throat singer and one of the band’s three composers, Kai Uwe Faust. Each has its place and sense of belonging, with inspiration not only from Northern Europe, but from the ancient great civilizations, explains the band.

Heilung’s music has branched into areas well beyond playing live and their album releases. From hit television series like ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Vikings’ to video game giants like ‘Conqueror’s Blade VII: “Wolves of Ragnarök’ and ‘Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II’ to the blockbuster Robert Eggers film ‘The Northman,’ Heilung’s music has risen far above the underground and has transcended into a greater world. 

“What they delivered as a unit was flawless and that raw emotion, empowerment and sense of belonging was unleashed into the audience.” Distorted Sound Mag

TOUR DATES
Experience Heilung at two exclusive shows in Australia next March
Thursday, March 2: Big Top, Luna Park – Sydney
Saturday, March 4: Forum, Melbourne
 
Early Bird Pre Sale Begins Wednesday, October 12 @ 9.00am 
Sign up here to access 
https://bit.ly/heilung-AU
 
Tickets on sale Friday, October 14 @ 9.00am 
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Elvis Costello & The Imposters will return to Australia in 2023, headlining shows in Sydney and Melbourne, following their appearance at the 34^th Annual Bluesfest in Byron Bay over the Easter Long Weekend. 

BIO: 2022 marks 45 years since the release of Elvis Costello’s first 45rpm record and his debut album, My Aim Is True.  

Among his 600 published titles, Costello is perhaps best known for the songs, “Alison”, “Pump It Up”, “Everyday I Write The Book”, while a popular concert favourite is Nick Lowe’s ever-timely “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love and Understanding”.  He has appeared worldwide with The Attractions, first visiting Australia in 1978, then in solo performance in 1984 and with Steve Nieve in 1999.  For the last twenty years he has toured and recorded with The Imposters – Steve Nieve, Pete Thomas, Davey Faragher – and they will be joined on these dates by guest guitarist, Charlie Sexton.

Since the 2017 release of the GRAMMY-winning, Look Now, Costello and co-producer, Sebastian Krys have worked on seven record releases together, including The Boy Named If and The Resurrection Of Rust in 2022. 

“It’s been twelve years since our first appearance at the Byron Bay Bluesfest – when we shared an evening bill with Bob Dylan, and I got to sit in with Mavis Staples. I see a number of friends and favourites are on this year’s bill, so who knows what thrills, spills and encounters may take place.

“There is nothing that jolts a show alive so much as stack of strong new songs but we recorded ‘The Boy Named If’ while locked away in our lairs and hideaways, so bringing those songs to the stage has made the hits and highlights of the songbook ring out anew.

“The Imposters will make their Sydney Opera House bow 39 years after I made my solo debut at that legendary venue.

“We are bringing guest guitarist, Charlie Sexton with us, along for all our works and wonders for two nights at the Sydney “Work” House before heading to Melbourne to play the Palais on this long overdue but all too brief visit to Australian shores.

“The very name of the venue probably should have got my attention when I first arrived in Melbourne in 1978, pursued by a press posse after a slight dust-up in Sydney. After all, the ‘Hammersmith Palais’ was my dad’s place of work for most of my childhood. It seems I am destined and disposed to return to venues called the “Palais”, like a homing pigeon or some other more tuneful bird. The proximity to the seaside and a fun-fair only adds the thrill.  

“The Imposters and I are not bringing any vaudevillian contraptions with us on this occasion, but we will be joined by our guest guitarist, Charlie Sexton and a stack strong recently recorded songs that have caused the hits and headlines of the repertoire to either ring out anew or fight for their place in the show. 

“We are ready as anybody can be and look forward to seeing you there.” 

ELVIS COSTELLO

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About Bluesfest Touring    

Bluesfest Touring showcases Bluesfest Byron Bay sideshows and Touring Artists. Presenting the best international legendary and emerging artists from around the world in Rock, Blues, R&B, Soul, Folk, Punk, Hip-Hop and Jazz, at iconic venues across Australia each year.