)
Bluesfest Byron Bay organisers are hoping the “dream’s not over” after releasing data that shows the event was worth $235 million to the NSW economy in 2024, as a petition is launched to secure state government support to keep the iconic festival alive.
While the iconic Byron Bay music festival has declared 2025 as the last Bluesfest to be hosted after 35 years, executive chairman Peter Noble has shared the latest economic data to show that Bluesfest is “something we believe is worth fighting for”.
“I want to make it clear that it was never my intention to end Bluesfest,” says Noble, who was forced to call time on the event following cost blowouts that have hit the entire live music scene in recent years.
“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.”
Bluesfest made a comeback in 2022 after two years of cancellations and devastating floods in the Northern Rivers region of NSW.
This year, the event sold about 100,000 tickets to a lineup that included Tom Jones, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, The Teskey Brothers, Blind Boys of Alabama and The Cruel Sea.
Taking the lead from next year’s headline act, Crowded House, Noble’s message today appears to be “don’t dream it’s over” as event organisers seek a way forward via state government support.
An economic impact study commissioned by Bluesfest to gauge the value of the event to the state’s economy estimates that this year’s event delivered total economic output of $235.1 million for NSW, with those figures comprising a $86.2 million boost for Byron Shire alone and $148.1 million for the state’s Northern Rivers region.
The event also created about 358.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) employment positions in Byron Shire, 748.4 FTEs in the Northern Rivers and 1,090.2 in NSW.
The report estimates that when comparing the overall contribution of Bluesfest 2024 to the economy of Byron Shire, the total value-added impact of $42.4 million represents about 1.4 per cent of total the shire’s gross regional product of $2.9 billion.
“Sharing these numbers with you is bittersweet in light of our recent announcement that 2025 will mark the final chapter of Bluesfest,” says Noble.
“The results from our 2024 event are nothing short of remarkable: 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 says the data shows the positive economic impact Bluesfest has delivered to the NSW economy “year on year”.
“Although we’ve announced that 2025 will be our last festival, it doesn’t have to be,” he says.
“Under current economic conditions, we simply cannot continue and that's why we have asked for NSW Government support.”
Noble stresses that Bluesfest is not “looking for a handout”.
“We’re looking for a hand up as our industry grapples with the cost-of-living crisis and other challenges,” he says.
“In the past decade alone, 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?”
To drive their message home, the Bluesfest organisers are promoting a petition launched last month to save the festival beyond 2025.
The petition is being led by local state MP for Ballina Tamara Smith who is calling for the NSW Government to provide a rescue package for the event.
The petition is targeting 20,000 signatures, which is said to be the number needed to trigger a debate in state parliament. The petition currently stands at 6,000 signatures which have been secured over the past three weeks.
The petition not only points out the economic benefits of Bluesfest, but also its cultural significance as a “cornerstone of the state’s cultural landscape, bringing world-class music to Byron Bay and fostering a vibrant community of artists and music lovers”.
Bluesfest Byron Bay had humble beginnings when it was launched in 1990 and since then has become a mainstay of Australia’s outdoor festival scene, celebrating contemporary blues, roots and beyond music.
The four-day festival also has become a major event on the international circuit, recognised among world’s top 10 music festivals, according to Pollstar.
Bluesfest was hit hard by COVID restrictions, leading to cancellation of the event in 2020 and 2021.
A report later published by Bluesfest found that the 2021 cancellation led to a loss of $181.2 million in tourism expenditure for Australia, as well as $108.6 million in added value and 897 full-time jobs.
Other acts announced for the 2025 edition of Bluesfest include Vance Joy, Ocean Alley, Tones and I, Gary Clark Jr, Cimafunk and Allison Russell.
Enjoyed this article?
Don't miss out on the knowledge and insights to be gained from our daily news and features.
Subscribe today to unlock unlimited access to in-depth business coverage, expert analysis, and exclusive content across all devices.
Support independent journalism and stay informed with stories that matter to you.
)
)
)
)
)
