Springtime in Australia is glorious: blue skies, sunshine, flowers and butterflies, happy people – and a steady stream of music festivals to make those days even happier. None of those festivals are dedicated only to soul, r&b, hip-hop and jazz music though – except now for one: Soulfest.

If you haven’t already concreted your plans to be in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne this October to have yourself a soul-drenched Spring at Soulfest 2014, now would be the time to do so.

It dubs itself “Australia’s First Annual Neo-Soul, Jazz & Hip Hop & Festival”.  True to that, Soulfest is kicking off by bringing a group of stunning international contemporary soul, r&b and hip hop artists to Australian shores to play alongside up-and-coming Australian based artists making music in those genres.

International artists on the Soulfest 2014 bill are diva Angie Stone, D’Angelo, Anthony Hamilton, Aloe Blacc, Leela James, Maxwell, Mos Def, Musiq Soulchild and Common.

Yes folks, it’s true – all these artists in one festival day…

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Australian-based artists announced so far are Ngaiire, Nathaniel, Thandiwe Phoenix, Milan Ring, Ms Murphy, M-Phazes, EMRSN and Miracle.

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One more Australian act will be added to the line-up in each city.  Those artists will be the winners of ‘Soul Search’, Heat 3 of which is happening this week at venues in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne (details on Soulfest’s FB page).

The emergence of a new Australian festival dedicated to soul, r&b, hip hop and jazz is something to get excited about. Here’s hoping Soulfest 2014 comes before Soulfest 2015 and many more annual Soulfests thereafter.  You can help make that happen by booking it in, getting your tickets and not missing the chance to hear these incredible artists perform Down Under.

If you’re not quite sure you need to be at Soulfest 2014, remind yourself here of the musical goodness you’ll get if you are – live.  Check out these (mp3 only) sample tracks featuring the silky-smooth sounds of Angie Stone, Anthony Hamilton, Aloe Blacc, Common and D’Angelo.

Angie Stone – ‘Wish I Didn’t Miss You’ – Mahogany Soul

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Angie Stone (Feat. Anthony Hamilton) – ‘Stay For A While’ – Stone Love

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Aloe Blacc – ‘Miss Fortune’ – Good Things

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Aloe Blacc – ‘If I’ – Good Things

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Common (Feat. The Last Poets) – ‘The Corner’ – Be 

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D’Angelo – ‘Jonz In My Bonz’ – Brown Sugar

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D’Angelo – ‘Chicken Grease’ – Voodoo

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You can also check out sample tracks and live videos here of the very gorgeous and talented Australian-based artist Ngaiire.

Surely by now you’re sure you need to be at Australia’s first annual Soulfest?

Sydney gets Soulfest 2014 first on 18 October 2014, Melbourne next-up on 19 October and Brisbane on 25 October.

Aotearoa also gets its own ‘New Zealand’s first annual neo-soul, jazz & hip-hop festival’ in Auckland on 26 October.

Perth – although you don’t get the whole Soulfest festival experience, you do get your own intimate Angie Stone, Anthony Hamilton & Musiq Soulchild show at the Crown Theatre on 23 October.

Which Soulfest will I see you at?