Bluesfest Byron Bay, Australia’s premier and most awarded music festival in Australia ever, proudly announces 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 legendary institution that has brought the world’s greatest artists to Australia, plus a whole bunch of our own, will host its last festival on the legendary Byron Events Farm, just outside of Byron Bay, NSW, Australia.
As the final chapter in Bluesfest’s iconic legacy approaches, fans are urged 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. This is the last chance to experience the magic, the music, and the memories that have made Bluesfest a beloved institution, and we are expecting many our greatest artist, plus a bunch of first timers to join us in the celebration, with a first artist announcement imminent.
Peter Noble OAM, Festival Director and the driving force behind Bluesfest, expressed the significance of this decision:
“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?
- Unmatched Lineup: The final Bluesfest promises to bring together an extraordinary lineup of artists, reflecting the rich history and diversity that has defined the festival since its inception.
- A Piece of History: 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.
- Don’t Miss Out: For everyone who has ever loved Bluesfest. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to attend, this is it. 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.
As the festival prepares to take its final bow, the focus shifts to the upcoming first artist announcement. Stay tuned, as the world will soon learn who will grace the stages of the last Bluesfest.
Bluesfest Byron Bay has been Australia’s premier contemporary Blues, Roots, and Beyond music festival since 1990. What started as a humble celebration of Blues & Roots music has grown into one of the most significant music festivals in the world. Of our many awards being recognized in the top 10 music festivals of the world from Pollstar, demonstrates the significance of this festival not just locally but around the world.
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. Let’s not forget the amazing Australian artists that have played such as Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, Kasey Chambers and Crowded House and so many more.
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 to 20, 2025, at the beautiful 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.
This final edition is not just the end of an era; it’s a celebration of everything that Bluesfest has stood for over the past 35 plus years – music, community, and unforgettable experiences.
Recognised globally for its excellence, Bluesfest has earned numerous accolades, making it the most awarded music festival in the Australian entertainment industry.
Awards include:
- 1 WIN at the Keeping the Blues Alive Award Memphis for Bluesfest Director Peter Noble
- 9 WINS at the NSW Tourism Awards for Major Festivals and Events - (6 Gold, 3 Silver)
- Induction into the NSW Tourism Awards Hall of Fame in 2019 for three wins a row.
- 8 WINS at the North Coast Tourism Awards for Major Festivals & Events
- 4 WINS at the Helpmann Awards for Best Contemporary Music Festival (Ceremony for Australia’s most talented and celebrated performers and industry)
- 1 WIN at the Helpmann Awards for Best International Contemporary Concert
- 8 WINS at the Australian Event Awards for Best Cultural & Music and Event of The Year
- 6 NOMINATIONS for NSW for Major Festivals & Events at the Australian Tourism Awards (2 Silver, 1 Bronze)
- 10 NOMINATIONS at the Pollstar Awards (USA) for International Festival of the Year (No other Australian Festival nominated in this or last decade)
- 1 WIN at the Pollstar Awards (USA) for International Festival of the Decade with a top 10 finish in 2021.
- 1 WIN at the first Variety Awards for Festival of the Year