Jimmy Barnes to play Byron Bay Bluesfest before national tour, months after heart operation

Jimmy Barnes’ return to the stage has been locked in, months after he underwent open heart surgery.

The Australian music legend’s comeback will be at no less than the Byron Bay Bluesfest, on Sunday, March 31.

“I can’t wait to get back on stage, in front of the band and playing for you all,” the 67-year-old said on social media on Sunday.

Stream the world's best reality, entertainment and true crime shows for free on 7Bravo on 7plus >>

“I’m happy to announce that my first show back on stage this year will be at the legendary Byron Bay Bluesfest, where I’ll be playing a special Flesh and Wood (album) 30th anniversary show.

“It’s going a lot of fun ... I’ll see you there in just over a month.”

He joins headliners Jack Johnson, Ben Harper and Elvis Costello for the northern NSW event.

Barnes had already announced three shows for the Red Hot Summer Tour in the Hunter Valley, Launceston and Bendigo between April 6 and 27.

He also announced after those shows on Sunday, he’ll be travelling “across the country” on his “Hell of a Time” tour.

The tour will begin in Perth in June, before fishing at the Sydney Opera House in mid-August.

The former Cold Chisel frontman had emergency surgery in December after complications from a bacterial infection.

He stunned fans by posting a message to Instagram on December 13 announcing he would be “out of action for a while” after the infection had spread to his heart.

Noting that the requirement for open heart surgery had happened “very suddenly”, the rocker admitted the health scare was “frustrating” because prior to the infection he was “the fittest I’ve been in decades”.

Since the surgery, he and wife Jane Barnes have kept fans updated on his recovery progress.

“Always good to leave the hospital smiling. There’s still a long road ahead and many more check ups,” he wrote on Instagram last month.

“There was a team of seven specialists working on me, so there is a lot to follow up on.”

Barnes went on to say that he’d had enough of intravenous medications.

“Another set of good bloods and it’s off with the ‘PICC Line’,” he wrote, referring to his peripherally inserted central catheter.

“I’m sure it’s saved my life but I cannot wait to be free.”

Barnes added that once again, his wife Jane was keeping him fed well with her excellent cooking.

“Thai beef curry is just what the doctor ordered,” Barnes concluded, sharing a picture of Jane’s meal.