The Byron Shire has been renowned for its music, its festivals, and its innovation that has had a huge impact on the Australian music scene.

In a last minute scramble to get shows in the region, Brandin Farrant, father of music prodigy Taj Farrant, says that the cancellation of Bluesfest has been rough on a lot of levels.

Byron Shire Mayor, Sarah Ndiaye, has a message for everyone wondering what to do with their Easter weekend plans following the cancellation of Bluesfest last week – come to Byron Bay anyway.

Bluesfest regulars, the legendary Australian blues band, Backsliders return in a reinvented format – celebrating and paying tribute to long-time drummer and key songwriter, Rob Hirst, who passed away last month after a tremendous struggle with pancreatic cancer.

Steve Poltz has fun on stage. Steve Poltz has fun off stage. Every show has its own vibe. Raucous, joyous, improvisational and always strange. Stellar guitar work and songs that will have you smiling one minute and crying the next.

Byron Bay Bluesfest, Australia’s most awarded music festival, today announces the next wave of artists joining the Bluesfest 2026 lineup, with the addition of three of the most influential, revered and culturally significant acts in modern music: Parkway Drive, Erykah Badu, and The Wailers.

‘Legendary reunions and long-awaited debuts’ is how Bluesfest Director Peter Noble has described the lineup for next year’s Byron Shire event.

There were plenty of winners at the recent 2025 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards.

Iconic Australian rock legends the Hoodoo Gurus will headline a big night of music and critical fundraising for wildlife on Saturday, September 27, at the Bluesfest Green Room.

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.