Bluesfest Byron Bay, Australia’s most awarded music festival, has announced that the 2025 edition will be its final curtain call.
After 35 years of celebrating the very best in blues, roots music, and beyond, the live music institution which has brought the world’s greatest artists to Australia, and hosted many legendary Australian performers, will host its last festival at Tyagarah, just outside of Byron Bay, next Easter.
As the final chapter in Bluesfest’s iconic legacy approaches, fans are urged by organisers to be part of history. The first of many artist announcements for the 2025 festival, which promises to feature a lineup worthy of this momentous occasion, will be unveiled in one week’s time.
This will be the last chance to experience the magic, the music, and the memories that have made Bluesfest a beloved institution.
End of an era
Peter Noble OAM, Festival Director and the driving force behind Bluesfest, has made the following announcement:
‘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. But 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.’
Why attend the final Bluesfest?
Organisers say Bluesfest 2025 promises to bring together an extraordinary lineup of artists, reflecting the rich history and diversity that has defined the festival since its inception. Being part of the last Bluesfest is not just about enjoying great music; it’s about being part of a cultural moment that will resonate for years to come.
Whether you’ve been waiting for the right time to attend, or have loved Bluesfest for years, this is your very last chance. There will be no more Bluesfest after 2025.
Bluesfest has always been more than just a festival; it’s been a gathering of souls, a place where lifelong memories are made, and where music transcends boundaries. The 2025 festival will be a fitting finale, honouring the legacy of those who have made it what it is today – from the artists to the fans.
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.
Leading Australian artists who have played at Bluesfest include Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly, Kasey Chambers, Crowded House and many, many more.
Power-packed experience
Organisers say the final Bluesfest will be a four-day event, offering a power-packed experience that will close the curtain on this legendary institution.
Held over the Easter long weekend from April 17-20, 2025, at the 300-acre Byron Events Farm, just 11km north of Byron Bay, the festival will continue to uphold its commitment to quality, featuring multiple stages and a diverse lineup that spans the best in blues, roots music, and beyond.
Recognised globally for its excellence, Bluesfest has earned numerous accolades, making it the most awarded music festival in the Australian entertainment industry.
Truth or ploy for public funding?
Time will tell.
So sad, thanks for all the Bluesfest I have in my memories. I always had a great time 💫💐💚
I would like to congratulate Peter Noble and all the people who ever worked there (including the Oxfords) for bringing such a fabulous festival to our little corner of the globe. I myself worked there in the first 10 years and realise how much goes into making it one of the best music fests ever!
It is very sad to see it go but I will definitely be there for the last one. And I hope you will too because it deserves to go out with all the support from all those who ever attended!
See you there!
Nancy Jo Falcone