20.4 C
Byron Shire
June 21, 2026

Bluesfest announces anniversary lineup

Latest News

The NT intervention laws that shape lives

This Sunday marks 19 years since the then Howard Government announced the Northern Territory Intervention laws – ‘The Intervention’ began with a media release by Mal Brough, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, on June 21, 2007.

Other News

Film buffs flock to Bangalow

Nicholas Hope (left) who was Bubby in Rolf de Heer’s (right) groundbreaking movie of 30 years ago, Bad Boy Bubby, a film featuring clingfilm, which screened last Saturday at the Bangalow Film Festival. The fabulous festival continues until Sunday evening.

New maternity unit at Grafton Base Hospital

Pregnant women and their families across the Clarence Valley will benefit from an upgraded purpose-built maternity unit following a $20 million funding boost from the NSW government.

Empowering women and girls

Applications are now open for Northern Rivers Community Foundation's (NRCF) 2026 Empowering Women & Girls Grant, offering local not-for-profit organisations the opportunity to secure funding for projects that empower women and girls across the Northern Rivers.

Lismore rallies to save homes from demolition

Around hundred residents met at the Lismore Quad on Saturday to demand the demolitions of heritage homes cease, the flood recovery promised is delivered, and that every person be housed.

Mullum takes A grade, Byron takes B, Suffolk takes a sausage

The Northern Rivers NET League Finals went down on Saturday, and it delivered some genuinely good tennis, nervous moments,...

Early childhood educators to receive 15pc pay rise

The federal Labor government says it is investing a further $3.6 billion over the next two years to lock in the historic 15 cent pay rise for early childhood educators.

 

Peter Noble announces the 25th anniversary Bluesfest lineup. Video Sharon Shostak

‘It’s our twenty-fifth birthday!’ Bluesfest director Peter Noble enthused at the announcement of a milestone in Australian and world festival history.

‘We are going to be celebrating this one as never before and will deliver you one hell of a lineup, and mark my words: this is only the beginning!’

And so here are the 2014 acts announced so far: John Mayer, the Dave Matthews Band, John Butler Trio, Erykah Badu, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Iron & Wine, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Devendra Banhart, Morcheeba, Gary Clark Jr, KT Tunstall, Allen Stone and Valerie June.

‘John Mayer is finally back after seven years to play at Bluesfest again, says Noble. ‘When it comes to guitar he is undoubtedly to me the most talented of all performing today, simply untouchable.

‘I predict his new album Paradise Valley, released last week, is going to be at the top of the charts worldwide this week.

‘This is such a coup for us, and I am so proud to be presenting John on our big celebration year. We are not stopping there – I have attempted to bring back the Dave Matthews Band every year since they last played Bluesfest in 2005.

‘They are one of the top-grossing, most in-demand bands in the world – up there with the best of the best – and finally they are coming back to Bluesfest, for not one, but two, complete performances.

‘This is going to be magical and unmissable. I know their fans will be celebrating, and flying in, from all over the world for these incredibly special performances.’

Notching up 25 years of world-class music in 2014, the Bluesfest five-day festival will be held over the Easter long weekend, April 17–21, at  the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, north of Byron Bay.

For more visit www.bluesfest.com.au. Single-day tickets go on sale with first announcement.

 



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Hemp industry given boost with development plan

A Hemp Industry Development Plan has been announced by the NSW government, which promises 'to unlock new opportunities for NSW businesses and add value to the state's low-THC hemp industry, which is forecast to become a $100 million Australian industry by 2032'.

Gambling harm recognised by Tweed Council, supported by Wesley Mission

Faith-based, not-for-profit organisation providing community services in NSW, Wesley Mission, has welcomed Tweed Shire Council’s decision to publicly recognise the impact of gambling harm and advocate for stronger harm-minimisation measures.

Winter Warmer fundraiser for homelessness

The annual Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief campaign, hosted by Dharma Care, will return for 2026 with cabaret at Salt, Kingscliff, on Thursday 2 July, headlined by comedian Mandy Nolan, interactive performance artist The Space Cowboy and the Kinship Doobai Dancers, with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Jackie.

Tweed Shire Council presents flood resilience series – part one

Over the coming weeks, Tweed Shire Council will present a flood resilience series, which looks at how 'Tweed's story is different from the standard flood recovery narrative and what happened next'.