May 13, 2021

BLUESFEST 2021 RESCHEDULED DATES!

BLUESFEST RISES!

Who would have thought after our cancellation by Public Health Order in April due to one local case of transmission, which happened less than 24 hours before our gates were due to open, that sent shockwaves through our industry and traumatised everyone who had been working on presenting Bluesfest… that just six weeks later we would be announcing our re-scheduled festival, and one week later – today, our full lineup of the absolute best Australian artists.

This October, Bluesfest will be the first major festival to return, since COVID-19 struck, with a multi-day, multi-stage, camping event and almost all the artists due to play at Easter will return to play.

We are thrilled to announce that MIDNIGHT OIL has agreed to join our All-Australian Lineup, headlining our opening Friday night along with the launch of their new album – it’s a dream come true. 

PAUL KELLY will co-headline Saturday night, alongside TASH SULTANA… and of course, JIMMY BARNES is back to headline Sunday night.

We have shown a determination to overcome everything we had to face to re-schedule, knowing that as an integral part of the Australian music industry, so many were counting on us.

As we rise from the ashes of Bluesfest, Easter 2021, please come join us and celebrate our indomitable determination to present live music in Australia safely, at a major event level. Let’s make history!

Season tickets for Bluesfest 2021 – The October Edition go on sale to the general public this Thursday, 20th of May at 9AM AEST – with 3-Day and 1-Day tickets going on sale soon after. Keep an eye out!

After processing the rollover of current patrons and with only limited capacity for the new event, a sell-out is expected – so, don’t hesitate!

 All current Bluesfest 2021 ticketholders will receive official communication from Moshtix today with information on the rollover of tickets to the new event. Thank you for your patience and your continued support.

UPDATE WEDNESDAY, MAY 12TH 2021

IT’S FINALLY HERE!

The announcement you have all been waiting very patiently for…

Bluesfest 2021 will be back this year over the October Long Weekend –
Friday, 1st of October to Monday, 4th of October

The new October season is a jampacked 4 days… but this does not mean that current 5-day season ticketholders miss out. We have something very special in store for you – this will be announced next week!

Trust us when we say the wait will have all been worth it. WE. ARE. RISING and this event JUST. GOT. EVEN. BIGGER 

That’s right – we have been adding more of Australia’s absolute best talent! It’s our way of saying thank you to all of you who have supported us during this time 💙

Next week we will be announcing the full festival lineup and will be releasing the on-sale of season tickets for this event. 3-day & 1-day tickets will go on sale soon after this announcement.

At this time, all current Bluesfest 2021 ticketholders will receive official communication from Moshtix and will be given information on how to roll over to the new event, with the option to request a refund remaining available. Until then, keep holding your tickets… You’ll be happy you did! 🙌

GET READY BLUESFESTERS!

Don’t want to miss out?!

After processing the rollover of current patrons and with only limited availability for the new event, we are expecting to see sales reach capacity. So, for those who don’t yet have a ticket and wish to buy, you can join the waitlist and be the first to get dibs on tickets next week. Register your details below.

UPDATE WEDNESDAY, MAY 5TH 2021

BLUESFEST 2021 RESCHEDULED EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON!

DEAR BLUESFESTERS,

If you have been holding your tickets, you are in for a real treat! We have been working endlessly and WE. ARE. RISING.

The announcement of our rescheduled Bluesfest 2021 event is imminent. Thank you to everyone who has supported us during this time!

While we are tying up a few loose ends to ensure our current Bluesfest 2021 patrons have a smooth transition to roll into the new event, and new patrons are welcome to purchase tickets at the same time, we are pleased to confirm that almost all the artists on the Easter event lineup have confirmed their availability for the new dates.

Plus, we will also be announcing something really special!

Off the back of our recent Pollstar nomination as one of the top 10 festivals in the world, we are thrilled to soon be able to give you all the amazing news we have been working so hard to deliver.

Our Easter event was almost sold out… and with a rollover of patrons, plus only limited availability, we expect to see the same for this new event. For those who wish to buy, be sure to keep an eye out for our announcement and get in quick!

Current Bluesfest 2021 patrons will receive official communication from our ticket provider, Moshtix, and will be given options on how to redeem your rollover with an option to refund remaining available.

So, the best thing to do for now is to continue to hold your tickets until the official announcement is made. This will be BIG.

We cannot wait to share the news!

UPDATE SUNDAY, APRIL 4TH 2021

IT IS BLUESFEST DAY 4

It’s Sunday, Day 4 of the festival that could have happened. And again, we have another day of no new cases of COVID-19 in NSW.

We thank the festival-goers for sharing with us their experiences of the festival, and we look forward to hearing more of your shared stories.

To our artists – especially the many of you, along with your bands, teams, and management, who were in transit ready for your return to live music after it being taken away from all of us for such a long time already…

We are sorry that we were unable to deliver our festival for your return to the live stage for the second year in a row.

Thank you to the many of you who have made contact, and to those who have taken to media to show your dismay of this situation.

Our hearts go out to Sally King, of Pacey, King & Doley, was on her way to Bluesfest once again ready to announce her comeback to the stage after semi-retirement. We’re so sorry that for the second year in a row, you have not been able to achieve this. Don’t give up.

To you and so many other musicians with their own stories, we are so aware of the human cost and damage to our industry that this cancellation has caused.

Don’t lose confidence in our future. We will carry on the fight to keep it alive. Stay with us.

We are in discussion with Government and their initial response is a positive one. We are hopeful to announce a rescue package soon to everyone involved in the festival.

Thank you

 

UPDATE SATURDAY, APRIL 3RD 2021

IT IS BLUESFEST DAY 3

It is Day 3 of the festival that could have happened. It is also Day 3 of no new COVID-19 cases in NSW.

The load-out continues while we cannot help but wonder what could have been the reality of tonight’s events if the festival had gone ahead, and we could have welcomed all of you – our valued patrons – through our gates.

Tonight, you would have had the pleasure of watching performances by Tash Sultana, Ziggy Alberts, Kev Carmody, Hiatus Kaiyote, Chain, Backsliders, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Jeff Lang… the list goes on.

“I, Peter Noble, want to say to all the people who travelled so far, who have either returned home or are in the process of making their way home, I feel so sorry that for all the effort you made, I was unable to deliver Bluesfest for you.

I appreciate your messages of support at this time deeply.”

We urge you to go listen to our official Spotify Playlist, so you do not forget what this great event would have been and will be again.

We will be working toward the future just as soon as we can, and we will keep you as up to date as we can.

We are also in the process of planning a special market on the Bluesfest site for our 2021 stallholders – keep an eye out for the announcement. In the meantime, you can find their contact details and business links via the “Stalls & Vendors” page on our website. Please support them through this time.

Thank you

 

UPDATE FRIDAY, APRIL 2ND 2021

It is Bluesfest Day 2

It is Day 2 of the festival that could have happened.

We want to assure everybody that we are working through everything as quickly as we can. The load-out continues to occur and should be completed by the end of next week.

We will be continuing to have discussions with NSW Government about Bluesfest. We would like to acknowledge and thank the NSW Minister for Jobs, Stuart Ayres. He understands the enormity of this situation and the impact of this cancellation on the live music industry. This support is fundamental and greatly appreciated.

We have not yet decided at this time when Bluesfest will be rescheduled to. There are many matters that must be addressed before we do that.

We do ask that you hold your tickets and await this announcement, which will be made as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience and thank you for all your messages of support – it is overwhelming at this time and is helping to keep our heads up through something we have never experienced to this extent before.

The cancellation of the festival last year was devastating. The cancellation this year on the eve of our event has been catastrophic for everyone.

Whilst we support public safety, we acknowledge that NSW has had its second day of no new community transmitted cases of COVID-19.

 

UPDATE THURSDAY, APRIL 1ST 2021

We are devastated. The site is being taken down after having just yesterday been completed and ready for patrons and artists to arrive today.

We feel deeply for all of our stallholders. This loss is immense, and we are working on creating a safe space where we can share stallholders contact details and local patrons can support them by purchasing their unused produce. Please dig deep and help them through this tough time.

We would like to thank the businesses who are already showing us their support.

Special thanks to Byron Bay Brewery and Lion for their generosity in crediting us for the stock on site, and for re-routing packaged beer and cider to flood affected venues who are doing all they can to support their communities.

We would also like to thank Mantra Salt Hotel from the Accor Group, who have generously omitted the charge of all unused rooms that were booked for our Bluesfest artists and their crew this Easter Long Weekend.

If you are struggling or know of anyone who needs help:
Call Lifeline on 13 11 14

 

BLUESFEST IS CANCELLED FOR TWO YEARS IN A ROW

After consultations with NSW Health and the NSW Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard, sadly they have arrived at the decision that it is in the interests of the safety of everyone the festival be cancelled over the Easter period and rescheduled to a later date.

The Minister for Health has signed a health order cancelling Bluesfest.

Bluesfest was due to open the gates on Thursday April 1st and close on Monday April 5th 2021.

Bluesfest was scheduled to return after being cancelled in 2020 by a public health order and had worked diligently to present the event in 2021. We are heartbroken that COVID-19 has spread into our local community.

We are getting the message out as quickly as possible so that those travelling to the event can make alternate arrangements

Bluesfest was to have been the first major festival to occur in Australia and possibly the world since the summer of 2019/20. It had a capacity of 16,500 people daily over its five days, with three performance stages, plus camping – operating at approximately 50 per cent of normal capacity and production.

The Bluesfest team has worked day and night for a year to achieve the approved COVID-19 Safety Plan – the first of its kind in the music industry and have been told by the NSW Health that it exceeded other major sporting events in its depth and ability to protect the public.

Peter Noble, Bluesfest Director says “This is one of the most difficult statements I have ever had to make. We really wanted to be at the forefront of the return of live music at Pre-COVID-19 level.”

We feel deeply for everybody affected, the fans, the artists, and the hard-working Bluesfest team. But in the end, the health of our community must come first.

We will be having discussions regarding Bluesfest postponement and will update everybody soon. However, this weekend we will be packing down the event that was cancelled within 24 hours of gates due to open.

Please do not come to the festival site.

To all ticket buyers and music fans, we are hoping that you will support the festival and hold tickets to the rescheduled event.

All patrons will be contacted by Moshtix directly once we have an update on how to proceed.