Bluesfest Has Now Removed Sticky Fingers From Its 2023 Lineup
Following a storm of backlash and multiple artist withdrawals, Byron Bay’s Bluesfest has announced the decision to remove controversial Sydney band Sticky Fingers from its 2023 event.
In a statement to the media this afternoon, festival organisers said, “We are sad to announce that Bluesfest has decided that Sticky Fingers is to step off the Bluesfest 2023 line-up”.
“We apologise […] for our mistaken belief that forgiveness and redemption are the rock on which our society is built.”
Sticky Fingers off the Bluesfest lineup: pic.twitter.com/CtnNNqZl9s
— Jules LeFevre (@jules_lefevre) March 2, 2023
The statement continued: “Bluesfest cannot, sadly, continue to support Sticky Fingers by having them play our 2023 edition, and we apologise to those artists, sponsors and any others we involved in this matter through our mistaken belief that forgiveness and redemption are the rock on which our society is built.”
However, despite caving to public pressure and ousting Sticky Fingers, Bluesfest continued its defence of the band.
“The narrative that they continue to deserve to be cancelled, as well as anyone who publicly supports them, is difficult to accept, wherein a portion of society and media passes eternal judgment toward those, in this case, a diagnosed mentally ill person whom we feel doesn’t deserve the continued public scrutiny he’s being given,” the festival’s statement said.
“We thank everyone who has contacted us and advised their support in this matter, especially those suffering from a mental illness who feel they cannot have their illness supported in a manner whereby they feel included in society.”
Bluesfest’s statement also drew attention to Sticky Fingers’ apparent beneficence, albeit without providing concrete details. “Sticky Fingers has done so many good deeds that have never been reported, including building and funding recording studios and music education programs in disadvantaged regional communities.”
The festival’s statement concluded: “We will now move on, put this behind us and continue to plan and present our best-ever edition of Bluesfest… proudly.”
The controversy stems from Sticky Fingers’ history of alleged antisocial behaviour, including accusations of racism, sexism and transphobia made against singer Dylan Frost, as well as incidents of violence and disorder, and the band’s perceived lack of accountability or contrition.
Zambian artist Sampa the Great quietly exited Bluesfest’s 2023 lineup after learning of the band’s involvement, while King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard took a public stand and withdrew from the lineup in protest.
Bluesfest 2023
Sampa the GreatSticky FingersA Heartfelt Tribute to Uncle Archie
Fools
Jerome Williams
joining…
Bobby Alu
Buttered
Clarence Bekker Band
Coterie
Dami Im
Daniel Champagne
Dog Trumpet
Electric Cadillac
Frank Sultana
Frank Turner
Hussy Hicks
Lisa Hunt’s Forever Soul
Loose Content
Ray Beadle Stax of Blues
Roshani
Round Mountain Girls
Steve Poltz
Steve ‘n’ Seagulls
joining…
Paolo Nutini
The Angels
Ash Grunwald
Backsliders
The Bros. Landreth
Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges
Trombone Shorty & The Orleans Avenue
Yirrmal
joining…
Beck
joining…
Allison Russell
Counting Crows
The Doobie Brothers
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Nightsweats
St Paul & The Broken Bones
Vintage Trouble
joining…
19-Twenty
Beth Hart (Exclusive)
The Black Sorrows
Bonnie Raitt
Buddy Guy
The Cat Empire
Chain
Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Eric Gales (Exclusive)
Femi Kuti & The Positive Force
Gang Of Youths
Greensky Bluegrass (Exclusive)
Jackson Browne
Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit
Joe Bonamassa (Exclusive)
Joe Camilleri Presents a Star-Studded Tribute to The Greats of The Blues
Jon Stevens
Kaleo (Exclusive)
Keb’ Mo’
King Gizzard & The Lizard WizardLachy Doley And The Horns Of Conviction
Larkin Poe
LP
Lucinda Williams
Marcus King
Mavis Staples
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Nikki Hill (Exclusive)
Robert Glasper
RocKwiz Live
The Soul Rebels & Friends with Special Guests Talib Kweli ? GZA ? Big Freedia
Southern Avenue (Exclusive)
Spinifex Gum Feat. Marliya
Steve Earle & The Dukes
Tash Sultana
Xavier Rudd
Dates & Venue
Thursday, 6th April–Monday, 10th April – Byron Events Farm, Tyagarah NSW
Tickets are on sale now via the official website.
Further Reading
Bluesfest Boss Issues New Statement Following Sampa the Great Withdrawal
Sampa the Great is the Latest Artist to Pull Out of Bluesfest
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Cancel Bluesfest Performance
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