Hill, Miguel, Black Star Join Soulfest

They join a 20-strong bill with Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, Charlie Wilson, Jhenè Aiko, De La Soul, Talib Kweli, Dwele, Eric Benet, BJ The Chicago Kid, Floetry and Kamasi Washington.

The list includes Australia’s Remi, Daniel Merriweather and 1200 Techniques, and New Zealand’s David Dallas and Ladi 6 as well as international DJs. Declaring that “the day of the big festivals is over,” John Dennison of Soulfest International booked only two dates in Australia – The Domain in Sydney Oct. 24, and the Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne Oct. 25 — and Western Springs Stadium in Auckland (Oct. 26).

However, club sideshows are to be announced for Brisbane and Perth.

Dennison said Soulfest is “put together like a jigsaw puzzle” where neo-soul and conscious hip-hop flow into each other.

“The feedback last year from U.S. agents was, ‘How come we don’t have something like this in the States?’”