The great thing about file sharing is that it forces musicians to get out and earn an honest living rather than relying on royalties from efforts made decades ago. Hence we see two great bands of the seventies coming to the UK for the first time in years when BluesFest returns to the O2 in October.
Making their first appearance in the UK for almost 10 years, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker’s supergroup Steely Dan (top), who have sold in excess of 40 million albums throughout the course of their career, will close the festival on Sunday 29th for what will be their only UK show of 2017. For this exclusive concert they will be joined on the bill by legendary, multi Grammy-winning soul and R&B hitmakers The Doobie Brothers (below). BluesFest 2017 will run from Friday October 27th – Sunday 29th and will once again utilise all areas of The O2 complex, including the 14000-capacity Arena and Indigo at The O2. Further artist announcements will be made over the coming weeks.
BluesFest Director Leo Green: “It’s a real coup for BluesFest to be presenting Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers at this year’s festival – they rarely perform in the UK and are two bands who have influenced so many artists from across the musical spectrum. This will be Steely Dan’s first UK show since 2009 and, on an incredible double bill that also includes The Doobie Brothers, we’re hoping that fans of quality music will be as excited about this first announcement as we are.”
Tickets go on general sale on Friday May 12th at 10am. The O2 pre-sale begins on Wednesday May 10th at 10am and the Live Nation pre-sale begins at 10am on Thursday May 11th. Tickets are available from www.livenation.co.uk.