This week, some of the giants of American music head down under for Easter.

Three of the leaders of American Gospel music are performing in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide this week. All three — The Blind Boys Of Alabama, Mavis Staples and Sweet Honey In The Rock — are appearing at this year’s 24th Annual Byron Bay Bluesfest, the country’s premier blues and roots festival, held on the NSW North Coast. These gospel artists will perform alongside well known artists such as Ben Harper, Jason Mraz, Santana, and many more.

On the group’s last tour to Australia in 2011, The Blind Boys Of Alabama received stand out shows at Bluesfest, and rave reviews from their two sold out shows at the Sydney Opera House and a Palais Theatre concert in Melbourne.

As well as Bluesfest, The Blind Boys are performing sideshows on the East Coast, supported by Mavis Staples in Brisbane, and Sweet Honey In The Rock in Sydney and Melbourne. They’re also performing in Newcastle and Launceston.

The gospel group has been a source of inspiration for many with disabilities, with one of the group’s vision impaired members, Ricky McKinnie, saying “Our disability doesn’t have to be a handicap. It’s not about what you can’t do. It’s about what you do. And what we do is sing good gospel music.” 

Mavis Staples, touring with The Blind Boys, has been named by VH1 as one of the 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll, and Rolling Stone magazine has listed her as one of the 100 Greatest Singers of all time.

In her 60 year career – from her ground-breaking family gospel group The Staples Singers (best known for the songs “I’ll Take You There” and “Respect Yourself”) Mavis is responsible for blazing a rhythm and blues trail without forsaking her gospel roots.

Mavis is performing in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, opening for Bonnie Raitt, and singing at the Deni Blues And Roots Festival in Deniliquin.

As well as the annual Bluesfest, this weekend another a festival is taking place – one that celebrates Easter. In Toowoomba Queensland Easterfest will as usual present some of the biggest names in contemporary Christian music.

Audio Adrenaline

From America this year, Relient K, Audio Adrenaline, Sanctus Real, and Lecrae are headlining.

Audio A’s Will McGuiness says he loves Easterfest. He says the group has played the festival several times over the years and recently reunited with Kevin Max as lead singer.

Matthew Hoopes from Relient K says they’re looking forward to playing their first Easterfest and they’ve been practising some of the group’s early songs for the occasion!

Click here to listen to more details with Cam Want on TRAA NEWS.