As a long-time supporter of local music, I was surprised to see the 2025 Mullum Roots Festival lineup lacking in cultural diversity. Given the rich multicultural makeup of the Byron Shire – including vibrant Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, African, and Japanese Taiko groups – it feels like a missed opportunity to showcase the full breadth of talent in our region.
The current program leans heavily toward rock, rockabilly, and country, which, while appreciated by many, doesn’t reflect the full spectrum of our local music scene.
I hope future festivals might consider a broader, more inclusive lineup that better represents the diverse community we live in.
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. 
