Bluesfest Byron Bay has stunned the music industry with the decision their 2025 edition will be its last.
The iconic Easter institution – staged annually in Byron Bay since 1990 (except the COVID years 2020-2021 – has carved out its place in Australian music festival lore garnering accolades from around the world. Peter Noble OAM, Festival Director and the driving force behind Bluesfest, expressed the significance of this decision. "To my dear Bluesfest family, and after more than 50 years in the music business, Bluesfest has been a labour of love, a celebration of music, community, and the resilient spirit of our fans.
"After the 2025 festival, as much as it pains me to say this, it's time to close this chapter. As I said earlier this year at Bluesfest 2024, next year's festival will be happening and it definitely is, but it will be our last.
"To my dear Bluesfest family, I want to make it the most unforgettable experience yet. If you've been thinking about it, now is your last chance to experience our beloved festival."
Recognised globally for its excellence, the now-iconic institution has earned numerous accolades, making it the most awarded music festival in the Australian entertainment industry.
Read our review of 2024 Bluesfest.
Early bird tickets to the 2025 event are available.
The final Bluesfest will be a four-day event held over the Easter long weekend from 17-20 April, 2025, at Byron Events Farm (Byron Bay).
Bluesfest Awards
• 1 win at the Keeping the Blues Alive Award Memphis for Bluesfest Director Peter Noble• 9 wins at the NSW Tourism Awards for Major Festivals and Events - (6 Gold, 3 Silver)
• Induction into the NSW Tourism Awards Hall of Fame in 2019 for three wins a row
• 8 wins at the North Coast Tourism Awards for Major Festivals & Events
• 4 wins at the Helpmann Awards for Best Contemporary Music Festival (Ceremony for Australia's most talented and celebrated performers and industry)
• 1 win at the Helpmann Awards for Best International Contemporary Concert
• 8 wins at the Australian Event Awards for Best Cultural & Music and Event of The Year
• 6 nominations for NSW for Major Festivals & Events at the Australian Tourism Awards (2 Silver, 1 Bronze)
• 10 nominations at the Pollstar Awards (USA) for International Festival of the Year (No other Australian Festival nominated in this or last decade)
• 1 win at the Pollstar Awards (USA) for International Festival of the Decade with a top 10 finish in 2021
• 1 win at the first Variety Awards for Festival of the Year
About Bluesfest Byron Bay
Bluesfest Byron Bay has been Australia's premier contemporary blues, roots, and beyond music festival since 1990. What started as a humble celebration of blues and roots music has grown into one of the most significant music festivals in the world.Of our many awards being recognised in the top 10 music festivals of the world from Pollstar, demonstrates the significance of this festival not just locally but around the world.
Over the years, the festival has hosted an incredible array of iconic artists, including blues legends like BB King and Buddy Guy, music legends such as Santana, Bob Dylan, Mavis Staples, Paul Simon, Bonnie Rait and Robert Plant, and contemporary greats like Dave Matthews Band, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, John Mayer, Mary J Blige, and Kendrick Lamar, who made his first festival appearance in Australia at Bluesfest.
Let's not forget the amazing Australian artists that have played such as Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, Kasey Chambers and Crowded House and so many more.
