Byron Bay Bluesfest

BB King, Grace Jones, Jethro Tull, Michael Franti, and Ben Harper. Photos by Tao Jones/taojonesphotographer.com/
Click on any image to zoom in

Festival Story:

What San Francisco is to the United States, Byron Bay is to Australia. What Glastonbury is to the English, Woodstock is to Americans, this annual Easter Weekend event at the easternmost tip of the continent is to Aussies.

This locally-grown event has evolved into THE place for counter-culture to congregate in Australia each year. Don’t let the title fool you — it’s not limited to Chicago or New Orleans style blues — though they are heavily represented here — the festival has become a celebration of POPULAR MUSIC. The festival welcomes all musical comers to groove, be together, dance and participate The Festival is also full of stalls and vendors selling multi-cultural food, homemade, environmentally conscious crafts and merchandise. There is also a strong political spirit at the festival and there are many stalls with representatives from not-for-profit organizations. The open-air festival is a 5 day event that is suitable for the whole family – there is extensive programming for kids that finishes before dark. There are extensive campgrounds that surround the park and local accommodation is abundant.

Festival Events:

Lineup 2013:

• Robert Plant
• Roger Hodgson
• Status Quo
• Madness
• Jon Anderson
• Santana
• Ben Harper
• Iggy & The Stooges
• Jimmy Cliff
• Chris Isaak
• Joan Armatrading
• Wilco
• Rodriguez
• Robert Cray
• Dropkick Murphys
• Tedeschi Truck Band
• Glen Hasard with The Frames
• Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
• The Blind Boys of Alabama
• Mavis Staples
• Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls
• Allen Toussaint
• Wanda Jackson
• Fred Wesley and The New JBs
• Michael Kiwanuka
• Bettye Lavette
• Luka Bloom
• Ruthie Foster
• and many many more…

Other Sources:

Want more? Click on a color — travel and explore.  

Articles:

• East Coast Blues festival opens (ABC Newcastle, April 21, 2011)
  http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/21/3198097.htm?site=newcastle

Images:

• Images of 2005 East Coast Blues & Roots Festival
  http://www.byron-bay.com/bluesfest05/
• Images of 2003 East Coast Blues & Roots Festival
  http://www.byron-bay.com/ericsardinas/
  http://www.byron-bay.com/shanemcgowan/
• Byron Bay Blues Festival Photos
  http://www.byron-bay.com/shanemcgowan/index.html

Practical Info:

Tickets:

• By email
  tickets@bluesfest.com.au

Venue:

• Tyagarah
  

How to get there:

• Please refer to the Bluesfest website for information http://www.bluesfest.com.au

Family Friendly:

• Kids are very welcome and we do provide fun and exciting activities for them. Children’s activities finish before dark daily and kids up to the age of 14 do have to be supervised at all times by a responsible adult.

Handicapped access:

• Vehicle access (including disabled transport taxis), immediately adjacent to the front entrance gate is specifically reserved for the purpose of setting down disabled passengers.
  Disabled car parking spaces are reserved in the staff car parking area near the main entry, where people with authorized ‘disabled’ stickers will be allowed to park.
  A disabled liaison person will be available through our Information Stall (which is right opposite the entry when you walk in) to meet and greet disabled patrons and help with any requests and supply necessary information.
  Disabled toilets with access ramps in both toilet areas plus three disabled viewing areas are available throughout the Festival. Please Note: Access is available to all areas; however the site is a grassy playing field, which has some sloped areas.

FINAL WINNERS: THE GREENER FESTIVAL AWARD 2009:

• The organisers of the Award, campaign and advice group AGreenerFestival.com said that they were particularly pleased with the number of outstanding festivals in 2009 with twelve festivals being awarded very high marks. The Award is based on a 56 part questionnaire which covers office management, greenhouse gas emissions, supporting green initiatives, travel and transport, waste and recycling, water management, environmental protection and noise reduction and almost all the festivals will receive a visit from an independent auditor to assess their green efforts. http://agreenerFestival.com
  
  • All winning Festivals will receive a special trophy designed by competition winner Sade Goddard from Keswick School in Cumbria whose winning design features a Red Kite motif and is made from recycled plastic bottles, crushed CDs and remoulded Wellington boots.
  • The winner of the overall Greener Festival Award 2009 will be announced at the UK Festival Awards which will be held at the O2 Arena in London on November 19th 2009. The following winners are…
• OUTSTANDING GREENER FESTIVALS
  
  • BONNAROO (USA)
  • BIG TENT (Scotland)
  • BLUESFEST (Australia)
  • CROISSANT NEUF (England)
  • ELOICA (Spain)
  • ISLE OF WIGHT (England)
  • PEATS RIDGE (Aus)
  • ROTHBURY (USA)
  • SOUTHBOUND (Australia)
  • SUNRISE (England)
  • WAVEFORM (England)
  • WORKHOUSE (Wales)
• THE GREENER FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS
  
  • BESTIVAL
  • BIG SESSION (England)
  • CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL (England)
  • CAMP BESTIVAL (England)
  • THE CITY OF LONDON FESTIVAL
  • THE FALLS FESTIVAL (Australia)
  • GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL (England)
  • FIREGATHERING (England)
  • MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL (England)
  • OYA FESTIVALEN (Norway)
  • ROTOTOM SUNSPLASH (Italy)
  • SONISPHERE (England)
  • SUMMER SUNDAE WEEKENDER (England)
  • SZEGED (Hungary)
  • T-IN-THE-PARK (Scotland)
  • WEST BEACH (USA)
  • WOMADelaide (Australia)
• IMPROVING GREENER FESTIVALS
  
  • ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL (USA)
  • BIG CHILL (England)
  • DOWNLOAD (England)
  • THE GLADE (England)
  • HYDE PARK CALLING (England)
  • STANDON CALLING (England)
  • WIRELESS (England)
  • Y-NOT (England)

Do you have an update or more information about this festival? Email us at updates@kadmusarts.com
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