Chaka Khan Leads Latest Bluesfest 2025 Line-Up Announcement

The fourth artist announcement for the 2025 Bluesfest has arrived, with an exclusive performance from American soul/rnb/pop veteran Chaka Khan topping the bill. Khan was last seen in Australia circa 2023, performing as part of that year’s Melbourne International Jazz Festival. The full artist announcement, along with the updated Bluesfest 2025 line-up, can be found below.

Joining Khan on the bill are American yacht-rock acts Toto and Christopher Cross. The former were last in Australia over the 2018/19 new-year period, performing at that year’s Falls Festival, while the latter returns for the first time since September of 2017. Polynesian singer-songwriter Maoli, who is already set to perform a series of sold-out theatre shows from the end of the month, has also been added to the festivities.

Rufus & Chaka Khan – ‘Ain’t Nobody’

Bluesfest shared its first 2025 acts back in August 2024, shortly after it was reported that the upcoming festival would be its last instalment. Controversially, however, festival director Peter Noble admitted to the press that the announcement was effectively a ploy to sell more tickets. Speaking to IQ, Noble said the tactic stemmed from the attention given to SXSW Sydney following its 2023 debut.

“Whilst I don’t say that the government doesn’t have the right to invest in imported events, when I see them doing that and not investing in major Australian events? I think that’s wrong,” he said. “So what do we have to do? Do we have to say it’s the last Bluesfest to get people to focus on us? Are we the long-suffering wife, and South by Southwest is the mistress who gets the diamond rings? All we’ve asked our state to do is to show us that they care about the most highly awarded event in the history of Australian music.”

Bluesfest 2025

Thursday, April 17th to Sunday, April 20th – Byron Events Farm, Tyagarah NSW

• Chaka Khan*
• Toto
• Christopher Cross
• Maoli
• Clarence Bekker Band
• Hussy Hicks
• Eric Stang

Joining:

• Crowded House
• Ocean Alley
• Tones and I
• Gary Clark Jr.
• Rag’n’Bone Man
• RY X
• Allison Russell
• Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram
• Brad Cox
• Here Come The Mummies*
• The California Honeydrops*
• Marc Broussard
• Pierce Brothers
• Taj Farrant*
• Fanny Lumsden
• 19-Twenty
• WILSN
• Cimafunk*
• Hilltop Hoods
• Xavier Rudd
• John Butler
• The Cat Empire
• Kasey Chambers
• Melbourne Ska Orchestra
• C.W. Stoneking
• Budjerah
• Lachy Doley Group
• Ash Grunwald
• Kim Churchill
• Miss Kaninna
• The Beards*
• Velvet Trip
• Fools
• Roshani
• Sweet Talk
• The Memphis Three
• Missy Higgins
• George Thorogood & The Destroyers
• Rodrigo y Gabriela
• Nahko
• BJ The Chicago Kid
• Melody Angel*
• Don West

* – Exclusive to Bluesfest

Tickets for the festival are on sale now via Moshtix.

Further Reading

Toto’s ‘Africa’ To Play For Eternity Down In Africa, Thanks To Art Installation

Rag’n’Bone Man, RY X And More Announce 2025 Bluesfest Sideshows

Hilltop Hoods Lead Bluesfest 2025’s All-Australian Second Announcement