When I received a pass to Bluesfest 2025 in exchange for writing this review, it seemed like a great idea. Even better, my 13-year-old daughter would write it.
It would be a youthful perspective, with teen insights and young heartfelt observation. But as it turns out, the highlight for her was a new merch shirt, a $40 handful of fried food, and seeing a wild koala in a tree as we entered the festival.
So the baton has passed to me for a musical perspective.
Although many braved the full four days of the festival, Sunday was our day.
The last day of the ‘last Blues Festival’. To be honest we nearly didn’t make it. When I heard that parking and bus services were completely sold out, and that some festivalgoers had found themselves stranded, it all seemed a bit too hard. But to my surprise, and perhaps luck, we drove straight in and found a parking spot with no problem.
Families sprawled out on picnic rugs, friends dancing like no one was livestreaming them, and a soundtrack of soul, funk, roots, and blues drifting amidst a tasty breeze of local food stalls.
Highlights
We made our way through the sea of camping chair gatekeepers into the Mojo tent for Kasey Chambers. I’d seen her perform at the Women in Music Awards last year, and was absolutely blown away, so I was keen to hear more.
But the highlight for me on this night was RY X. Dreamy, haunting, and utterly hypnotic, his voice floated over the crowd like smoke. Completely captivating.
The night ended for us perfectly with C.W. Stoneking’s signature old-world blues swagger. Followed by an easy, quick drive home.
Although many people are confused, or miffed, about being sold ‘the last Blues Festival’ who cares, as long as it continues?
I hope that the NSW state government sees fit to award grants to local homegrown festivals like our Bluesfest, in preference to other multinational conglomerate interests.
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. 
