It is getting difficult to keep track of the number of awards the Byron Bay Bluesfest has won, and yet another accolade has been bestowed upon the iconic music event. Bluesfest has been named Australia’s Best Contemporary Music Festival at the highly esteemed Helpmann Awards, held at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney on the weekend.
The annual Helpmann Awards recognise distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in Australia’s vibrant live performance sectors, and are named in honour of Sir Robert Helpmann to commemorate his memory and achievements.
The 2014 Byron Bay Bluesfest also won the Gold Award for Major Festival and Event at the North Coast Tourism Awards held at the Trial Bay Gaol in South West Rocks last weekend.
This is the second year in a row Bluesfest has been awarded this honour and the fourth time they have won the award. Bluesest won the category over a stellar line-up of nominees including the Laneway Festival 2014, Vivid Live and the Falls Music and Arts Festival 2013.
Other winners in the Contemporary Music Section were Bruce Springstein and the E Street Band and Frontier Touring in the Best International Concert category, and Tame Impala presented by Chugg Entertainment in the Best Australian Contemporary Concert category.
