Don’t dream it’s over – Bluesfest unveils the first wave of artists for its last hurrah
It was bittersweet news when Bluesfest Byron Bay organisers announced last week that the 2025 iteration of the iconic event will be the last ever. After 35 incredible years celebrating the very best in blues and roots music and beyond, the final curtain will fall, but not before one last hurrah. If the first artist announcement is anything to go by, Bluesfest will be going out with a bang. Here’s what we know so far …
From humble beginnings in 1990, Bluesfest Byron Bay has earned a stellar reputation as Australia’s premier contemporary music festival for blues, roots and beyond recognised globally for its excellence. Over the years, industry legends including B.B. King, Santana and Bob Dylan graced the Bluesfest stage alongside contemporary greats like Dave Matthews Band, Lauryn Hill, John Mayer, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar. Not to mention the never-ending line-up of homegrown Australian artists that have played such as Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, Kasey Chambers and Crowded House, plus so many more.
Peter Noble OAM, festival director and the driving force behind the event announced the news in a statement, “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,” he said.
“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.”
One thing’s for sure – Bluesfest will not go gently into the night, and the first artist announcement proves why.
Leading the star-studded line-up is the legendary Crowded House. Neil Finn and his iconic bandmates have a history of bringing jaw-dropping performances to Bluesfest, and next year is sure to be no exception. Vance Joy is making his long-awaited Bluesfest debut as well as trailblazer Tones and I. Both promise to be show-stopping performances on the main stage. Ocean Alley are set to bring psychedelic rock back to the festival. Since their 2019 debut at Bluesfest, these Aussie rockers have skyrocketed in popularity, thanks to all that ‘Confidence’.
This barely scratches the surface of the talent announced for the final hurrah. Joining these Australian acts is a slew of international artists like Gary Clark Jr., Rag’n’Bone Man, Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram and RY X. The festival also welcomes back fan favourites like Here Come The Mummies, Taj Farrant, and 19-Twenty, plus incredible acts like Marc Broussard, Cimafunk, Fanny Lumsden, and Neal Francis. And this is just the first artist announcement, with many more to be dropped in the coming months!
The final Bluesfest will be a four-day affair, from April 17–20, inviting festival-goers to be part of history. “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,” the statement reads.
If you’ve had the pleasure of attending a Bluesfest, you know first-hand the special kind of magic the festival brings. We’ll bring you line-up announcements as they come to light.
Image credit: supplied.
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