Bluesfest Sideshows

Bluesfest is bringing one of the biggest festival line-ups to Australia of all time in 2011 and while Adelaide won't be basking in the greatness of misters Dylan, King and Costello, the promoters are bringing some pretty legendary names to the City of Churches (where they will likely feel at home) for some sideshow action.

Mavis Staples has been singing soul and gospel music for more than 50(!) years. There are very few living artists who can say they've been kicking around as long as she has. Starting out in her famiy band The Staple Singers, Mavis got her solo break in the late '60s when she released her self-titled album. In the years following, Mavis pumped out a series of records and worked with everyone from Curtis Mayfield to Holland-Dozier-Holland and Wilco's Jeff Tweedy. In 2011, Mavis Staples will be heading down under for the mammoth Bluefest as well as her very own headline show in Adelaide.

Mavis Staples plays the Governor Hindmarsh on Fri Apr 15. Tickets through Moshtix and Venuetix.

Speaking of family bands, a few days later the very same stage will be occupied by Robert Randolph & The Family Band. One of Rolling Stone's Top 100 Guitarists Of All Time, Randolph first started playing his trademark pedal steel guitar as a church-going teenager in New Jersey. His initial club shows at the start of last decade quickly gained him attention and his reputation carried all the way to the great Eric Clapton, who invited Randolph and The Family Band to tour with him in 2004. Robert Randolph is a must-see for guitar aficionados.

Robert Randolph & The Family band play the Governor Hindmarsh on Tue Apr 19. Tickets through Moshtix and Venuetix.

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