NSW MP starts online petition to save Bluesfest as Byron Bay music festival is cancelled after 35 years

A New South Wales MP has started an online petition to save the iconic Aussie music festival Bluesfest.

Organisers called time on the long-running Byron Bay-based music festival earlier this month after 35 years of bringing world-class acts to the stage.

The 2025 iteration of Bluesfest will be the final, with the likes of Crowded House, Gary Clark Jr, Vance Joy, Fanny Lumsden, and Tones and I hitting the stage.

Member for Ballina - which includes the Byron Shire where the festival is held - Tamara Smith has started a petition to call for a State Government rescue package to save the long-running event.

The Greens MP said that the government should step in to see the continuation of the festival due to its significance to the local economy.

'Bluesfest is not just a festival; it's a crucial part of our community, our economy, and our cultural identity,' Tamara said.

The petition is calling on the State Government to develop and implement a comprehensive rescue package for the festival including financial assistance, policy support and the establishment of long-term support mechanisms.

According to a statement released by festival organisers, in the last decade Bluesfest has generated an impressive $775 million for the Byron Shire with festival goers spending up big on accommodation and restaurants.

It has also generated $1.1 billion in inbound tourism for NSW with people travelling from interstate and internationally to attend.

The festival has also seen the creation of 7,182 full time jobs in the Northern Rivers area of NSW, while employing 25,000 music industry workers onsite at the festival.

If the petition manages to generate 20,000 signatures, the NSW Parliament must hold a debate on the future of Bluesfest.

The Byron Bay music festival announced, earlier this month, that its four-day event starting April 17, 2025, will be its 'final curtain call'.

'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,' organisers said.

'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.'

The final Bluesfest will take place from April 17 to 20 on Byron Events Farm.

Festival director Peter Noble OAM said Bluesfest was a 'labour of love' and celebration of community, music and resilient spirit of the fans.

However, Peter, who has been at the helm of the festival since 1994 and in the music industry for more than 50 years, said it was time to 'close this chapter'.

'After the 2025 festival, as much as it pains me to say this, it's time to close this chapter,' he said.

'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.'

Like many Australian festivals, Bluesfest has faced many challenges including cost increases, changes in ticket-buying behaviour and being forced to shut down due to the Covid pandemic and extreme weather.

Bluesfest was shut down in 2020 due to state imposed mass gathering restrictions and in the following year was cancelled just days before it opened after a sole Covid case was detected.

The festival returned with a bang in 2022 with a combined audience attendance over the five days of 'about 100,000' people.

However, the 2023 and 2024 Bluesfest events did not sell out, which put Mr Noble under financial pressure.

Next year's festival has also been trimmed down from five to four days due to cost increases and falling ticket sales.

Bluesfest, which has been staged in Byron Bay since 1990, has drawn some of the biggest names in blues and roots music.

International stars including Bob Dylan, Jethro Tull, Tom Jones, Kendrick Lamar and Paul Simon have performed on the festival's stage.