Plea for help so the music doesn’t stop for Bluesfest
Rachel Jackson and Suzanne Simonot |
The expected loss of an iconic Australian music festival has locals fearing the economic cost and calling for government support for the struggling sector.
After watching her community face the possibility of losing two major festivals, Federal Greens candidate Mandy Nolan says the events need support to stay alive.
“It’s time for the government to value the creative arts, in the same way we support sport and other events,” she told AAP.
More than 40 music festivals across Australia have been cancelled since 2022.
Byron Bay’s Splendour in the Grass, previously staged across three days in July, canned its 2024 and 2025 events and the owners of the site that hosted it have put their parklands venue up for sale.
In another hit to the region, Bluesfest event director Peter Noble announced the 2025 festival would be the last and pared the festival back from five days to four.
“Let’s make the final Bluesfest one for the ages,” he said when the first line-up announcement dropped in August 2024.
Ms Nolan said it would be devastating for the region to lose Bluesfest.
“Not just economically … also because it’s so iconic,” she said.
“You realise how important it is to really fight for our creative community and iconic events.”
A report from the Bluesfest organisers estimated the 2024 festival contributed more than $230 million to the NSW economy.
Local businesses, workers, artists and buskers all benefited from thousands of visitors attending the festival, Ms Nolan said
Regional NSW generates more than half of the total visitor expenditure for the state, a Destination NSW spokesperson said.
“Major music festivals like Bluesfest play a crucial role in driving this,” they said.
“They drive visitation to our regions and create jobs in regional communities.”
The news of Bluesfest’s closure ignited demand, with 97 per cent of tickets snapped up – and Saturday entry sold out – before gates opened on Thursday afternoon.
On-site parking and camping for 6000 patrons across the four days have also sold out.
Noble has since walked back his “last-ever” comments, calling them an attempt to get the NSW government’s attention.
He is yet to confirm if it is indeed the final curtain for the event.
A successful 2025 event would help to bring hope to people in the Northern Rivers region around Byron Bay, Ms Nolan said.
“You’ll find the community and the people that love Bluesfest have got their fingers crossed, and they’re really hoping it comes back again in 2026,” she said.
Credited with breaking artists including Jack Johnson, Ben Harper and Michael Franti’s Spearhead in Australia, Bluesfest relocated from the centre of Byron Bay to a permanent home at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm in 2010.
This year’s line-up features headliners including Crowded House, Here Come The Mummies, Tones and I, Grammy-winner Gary Clark Jr, Ocean Alley, Tom Morello, Hilltop Hoods, Missy Higgins and Rag’n’Bone Man.
Bluesfest finishes on Sunday.
AAP
