Peter Noble, the Festival Director of Bluesfest, one of Australia’s longest-running and most successful events, has issued another call to save the festival ahead of the final Bluesfest in 2025.
“Sharing these numbers with you is bittersweet in light of our recent announcement that 2025 will mark the final chapter of Bluesfest,” Noble revealed in a press release.
Revealing the numbers from this year’s event, Noble stated that Bluesfest contributed $235 million in inbound tourism to NSW. “This is an amazing achievement, not only for the Byron Shire but for the entire state, demonstrating just how significant Bluesfest is to our local and state economies, yet in 2024 Bluesfest lost money, and we still delivered an amazing result for NSW.”
Noble continued, “I want to make it clear that it was never my intention to end Bluesfest. I have always believed in its future, and I still do. But the current circumstances make it impossible to continue the festival in its current form.
“That said, I firmly believe Bluesfest is something worth preserving – not just for today’s music lovers, but for future generations, including those who haven’t even been born yet. The arts, and events like Bluesfest, are worth protecting.”
Detailing some of Bluesfest’s successes, including its ten nominations for a Pollstar Award for Best International Festival (“Glastonbury Festival always wins”), Noble commented that the recognition from the international music community is a “true testament” to the level Bluesfest has reached.
“In fact, just two years ago, we were voted one of the top 10 best festivals of the decade worldwide by Pollstar USA,” Noble said. “Bluesfest is an institution. We’re sharing this information to demonstrate the economic impact Bluesfest has on New South Wales, year after year.
“It’s something we believe is worth fighting for. Although we’ve announced that 2025 will be our last festival, it doesn’t have to be. Under current economic conditions, we simply cannot continue and that’s why we have asked for NSW government support.”
Adding that Bluesfest isn’t seeking a “handout” but a “hand up” as the music industry grapples with an ongoing cost-of-living crisis and other challenges, Noble continued, “Bluesfest has contributed over a billion dollars in inbound tourism to the state of NSW. To the government, I ask: is that not worth saving?”
The statement concluded, “Thank you for your continued support as we work together to keep the spirit of Bluesfest alive.”
Noble’s statement arrives a week after Tamara Smith MP, the local member for Ballina, started an E-Petition to save Bluesfest.
Smith called on the NSW Government to offer Bluesfest a rescue package in the petition.
If the petition receives 20,000 signatures, NSW Parliament must address the future of Bluesfest via a debate. As a press release notes, “This is our chance to rally together and ensure that one of Australia’s most iconic music festivals continues to thrive for years to come.”
The 2025 Bluesfest will return over the Easter Weekend: Thursday, 17 April, to Sunday, 20 April, with a line-up headed by Crowded House.
Another 19 local and international acts will join Crowded House, including Vance Joy, Tones & I, Ocean Alley, Gary Clark Jr, Rag’n’Bone Man, RY X, Allison Russell, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, and more.
