As NSW continues to see record-setting days of COVID community transmissions and other parts of the country enduring their own lockdowns and restrictions, Bluesfest have made the decision to scrap their 2021 event planned for early October.
After being originally rescheduled to spring time after a last-minute cancellation of the April 2021 festival, Festival Director, Peter Noble OAM says the decision to push back to 2022 (15-18 April) was a "no-brainer", and with hopefully the country at 70-80 per cent vaccination and stage three of re-opening he's hinted there maybe even a chance of international arrivals.All but a handful of the October line-up will return next April (with The Cat Empire, Ocean Alley, Tash Sultana and Ziggy Alberts not on the 2022 bill).
Punters can also expect other artists to to be added in the coming months with Fat Freddy's Drop, Josh Teskey & Ash Grunwald, John Williamson, C.W. Stoneking, and Rockwiz Live now part of the action.
"It is obvious that we cannot present Bluesfest in a safe manner in October, so we have re-scheduled back to our usual timing with dates over the Easter Long Weekend next year; a time we expect things to be returning to normal," Peter Noble OAM says.
"We are a resilient bunch. We have worked so hard since May 2019 to make Bluesfest happen and, guess what, we are not giving up. We are immensely proud of who we are: we are proud of the Bluesfest name and what that represents, immensely proud, and we are already looking forward to Easter.
"I thought this decision would be hard to make, but it was the reverse. The safety and protection of our loyal Bluesfesters, our festival staff, our performers, our volunteers, stallholders and suppliers is paramount, and I will not put anyone at risk right now. So the decision to re-schedule was a 'no-brainer'.
"Now we concentrate on the future, and it's a bright future - and the return of Bluesfest over four days next Easter: FRIDAY 15TH APRIL – MONDAY 18TH APRIL 2022. PLUS … we are working on something special for Thursday 14th April.
"I am confident that, by the end of this year, Australia will have achieved at least a 70-80% vaccination rate and will have achieved at least 'Stage Three' in the plan to open up the whole country. Lockdowns will be consigned to history. Perhaps we may even see international artists returning. IF THEY CAN COME WE WILL BE PRESENTING THEM!
"Almost all the October 2021 artists will return for Easter: MIDNIGHT OIL, PAUL KELLY, JIMMY BARNES, PETE MURRAY, KASEY CHAMBERS, JOHN BUTLER, XAVIER RUDD and all of your Bluesfest favourites will be back to play over the Easter Long Weekend.
"Only two or three can't make it. It's great to be adding FAT FREDDY'S DROP, JOSH TESKEY & ASH GRUNWALD, JOHN WILLIAMSON, C.W. STONEKING, and the return of ROCKWIZ LIVE next Easter: the first of dozens of artists we are adding to celebrate, including more of the biggest and best artists this part of the world has to offer, with many blues and roots artists added too.
"In the meantime, I do ask and urge every ticket holder to hold on to their October ticket – and roll it over to Easter. I promise you will not be disappointed. As soon as this outbreak is over and we are out of lockdown safely, then I will be announcing the incredible new names joining our line-up, and then you can make an informed decision. Rest assured, we will continue to offer refunds until after the new artist announcement.
"We will return and when we do it will be the greatest Bluesfest atmosphere you have been part of, with easily THE STRONGEST BILL OF AUSSIE AND KIWI TALENT EVER SEEN IN THIS COUNTRY. DON'T SAY WE DIDN’T TELL YA!
"After all – it's only 35 weeks to Easter. LET'S GO TEAM!"
Bluesfest 2022 takes place at Byron Events Farm 15-18 April.
Bluesfest 2022 Line-up
Midnight OilPaul Kelly
Jimmy Barnes
Fat Frerddy's Drop
John Butler
Xavier Rudd
Pete Murray
Ian Moss
Kate Ceberano
Kasey Chambers
The Waifs
The Church
Jon Stevens
The Living End
Mark Seymour & The Undertow
The Angels
Russell Morris
Kate Miller-Heidke
Vika & Linda
All Our Exes Live In Texas
Ross Wilson And The Peaceniks
John Williamson
Troy Cassar-Daley
Briggs
Tex Perkins The Man In Black
Hiatus Kaiyote
Josh Teskey & Ash Grunwald
Weddings Parties Anything
The Black Sorrows
CW Stoneking
The Bamboos
Chain
Backsliders
Ash Grunwald
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Jeff Lang
Nathan Cavaleri
Kim Churchill
Henry Wagons
JK-47
Garrett Kato
Mama Kin Spender
Dami Im
Pierce Brothers
Emily Wurramara
The Buckleys
Fiona Boyes & The Fortune Tellers
Ray Beadle
Pacey, King & Doley
Mick Thomas' Roving Commission
Hussy Hicks
Roshani
Daniel Champagne
Little Georgia
Lambros.
Round Mountain Girls
The Regime
Electrik Lemonade
Palm Valley
Byron Busking Competition
Rockwiz Live
