Bluesfest took home Festival of the Year at the inaugural Industry Observer Awards in Sydney last night.
The awards were created to recognise industry figures in Australasia, covering management, publishing, publicity, community radio and more.
Marketing Manager Rusty Thorpe and Touring Manager Kimberley Galceran were there to accept the award on behalf of the Bluesfest team.
Director Peter Noble, who was busy putting the finishing touches to this year’s event, which opens tomorrow, said Bluesfest was ‘so pleased to win this industry award in its inaugural year’.
The competition was fierce, and any of the finalists would have made worthy winners.
‘Team Bluesfest works so hard to present a world class event every year, and it really is a team of hundreds of people who make it work. I would like to thank each and every one of them for their heartfelt contribution toward our success.
‘I’m looking forward to many more Industry Observer Awards – and competing with the best in our industry. Thanks to everyone involved,’ he said.
Meanwhile, Bluesfest 2018 is just 24 hours from kicking off. Artists including Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, Lionel Richie, Ms. Lauryn Hill, John Butler Trio, Tash Sultana, Seal, Jackson Browne, Melissa Etheridge, Gomez, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Jimmy Cliff and Leon Bridges are set to delight audiences at the festival from Thursday 29 March to Monday 2 April.
There will be tickets on the door each day, plus a limited number still available via the website.
Seriously ? I Went once and wouldn’t go again. Overpriced, rude staff, poor facilities. In 2017 the good artists all pulled out. The 2018 lineup is average at best.