Bluesfest Mission Statement

INTRODUCTION

The Byron Bay Bluesfest is a premier Australian music festival with a significant cultural and economic impact on Byron Bay and the North Coast region of NSW. Synonymous with Byron Bay, the festival has operated for over 32 years, annually generating significant direct and indirect economic activity for Byron Bay and surrounding North Coast regions to the tune of $234.4M (2019).

It is the most highly awarded festival in the Australian entertainment industry and commended as a safe, fun, family-friendly event regularly attracting up to 40,000 unique attendees from overseas and across Australia.

The festival is held over five days at the Byron Events Farm, formerly known as Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, North of Byron Bay NSW each Easter long weekend. Event facilities include seven performance stages, nine licensed bars and two undercover food courts. There are many independent food and market stalls, car parking for over 7,000 vehicles and camping for up to 6,500 people.

In 2019 total operating expenditure by Bluesfest Group to stage Bluesfest was $23.9 million (up 22.1% from 2018). This included 43.6% increased expenditure directly in the Byron Shire and a 20% increase in the Northern Rivers. 37,191 unique visitors attended Bluesfest 2019 (up 9.2% from 2018).

Local communities derive direct positive benefits from participation in the event, for example, local food vendors and service providers, local artists and transport operators. Flow-on impacts from Bluesfest 2019 to other industries across Byron Shire are substantial and include $25.7 million for Arts and Recreation Services, $20.8 million for Accommodation and Foods Services and $14.3 million Retail Trade.

AWARDS SUMMARY

Bluesfest is Australia’s most highly awarded festival, below a summary of the most notable awards.

1 WIN at the Keeping the Blues Alive Award Memphis 2018 for Bluesfest Director Peter Noble

1 WIN at Rolling Stone Australia Award for Bluesfest Director Peter Noble for his services and contribution to Australian Music

7 WINS at the NSW Tourism Awards for Major Festivals and Events – (5 Gold, 2 Silver)

Induction into the NSW Tourism Awards Hall of Fame in 2019 after winning Gold in the NSW Tourism Awards three times in a row

5 NOMINATIONS for NSW for Major Festivals & Events at the Australian Tourism Awards (2 Silver, 1 Bronze)

7 WINS at the Australian Event Awards for Australian Event of the Year

6 WINS at the North Coast Tourism Awards for Major Festivals & Events

4 WINS at the Helpmann Awards for Best Contemporary Music Festival (Ceremony for Australia’s most talented and celebrated performers and industry)

1 WIN at the Helpmann Awards for Best International Contemporary Concert

9 NOMINATIONS at the Pollstar Awards (USA) for International Festival of the Year including for the 30th Anniversary in 2019

1 NOMIATON at the Pollstar Awards (USA) for International Festival of the Decade

VISION

Our vision is to be the festival of choice for artists and patrons, delivering a unique festival experience through a ‘one of a kind’ event that resonates with all participants.

We seek to elevate music, arts and culture in Australia and in our local Northern New South Wales region. Through the Bluesfest experience, we aim to heighten consciousness, create joy and generate a more sustainable environment for future generations.

MISSION

Bluesfest is committed to returning in 2022 and beyond, and is keeping a fluid plan around Government regulations to enable this. Bluesfest is working on multiple scenarios to ensure a quality event and safety for patrons, artists and staff at all times.

BUY A BLUESFEST TICKET AND SUPPORT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

With buying a Bluesfest ticket, you are investing not only into Bluesfest and its future but into the Australian Music Industry. Bluesfest is committed to present an event in 2022 to ensure the music industry remains alive!

Bluesfest is a proud independently owned and operated company and recognises that the Bluesfest fans are crucial and fundamental to the success of the event.

BLUESFEST TICKETS

Tickets to Bluesfest can be purchased via Bluesfest’s ticketing provider Moshtix. Click HERE to see all ticket options and add-ons such as VIP, camping or parking. Full Terms and Conditions for Bluesfest tickets HERE.

ECONOMIC IMPACT REPORT

In 2019 the total economic output in NSW as a result of Bluesfest was $234.4M with a Gross Regional Product (GRP) of $136M for all visitors and $71.9M for interstate / overseas visitors only. These statistics align to those from previous years. The average daily spend of $304 for all visitors ($291 for interstate/overseas visitors) is in addition to Bluesfest tickets and reflects the significant disposable income of Bluesfest’s audience.

View the full Economic Impact Report for 2022 HERE.

View the full Economic Impact Report for 2021 HERE.

View the full Economic Impact Report for 2020 HERE.

For comparison, you can also view the full Economic Impact Report for 2019 HERE.

SPECIFIC PLANNING DURING COVID19 PANDEMIC

Whilst some government regulations are still in place for organised gatherings of Bluesfest’s scale, Bluesfest is adapting its planning to allow for a safe event and the continuation of the festival and the associated businesses of the Bluesfest group of companies.

BLUESFEST TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The festival is operating under the current Public Health Order given by the NSW Department of Health, released on the 18th of February 2022. Full Terms and Conditions for Bluesfest HERE.

WHAT ARE CURRENT GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS

As always, Bluesfest is committed to providing the necessary facilities to ensure the safety of all patrons, artists and staff.

The latest government regulations for major events and festivals was released on the 18th of February 2022. You can keep up to date with what to expect at Bluesfest 2022 via our COVID-Safety Information website page HERE.

LIVE PERFORMANCE AUSTRALIA

Bluesfest is a member of Live Performances Australia and adheres to its Ticketing Code of Practice.

TICKET REFUNDS

To eradicate any risk for the customer, should the event be cancelled by government, Bluesfest ticket income will be held in a locked bank account 

If the event is unable to proceed on the advertised date or location by Government order, Bluesfest reserves the right to reschedule the Event, and offer a credit or exchange to the rescheduled date, or offer a refund request window of 28 days. 

INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS

With Australia’s international border restrictions lifted, we are happy to confirm that Bluesfest 2022 will consist of an amazing Aussie & Kiwi lineup, plus SEVEN international artists. With our recent announcements, your response has been incredible.

In our First Artist Announcement for Bluesfest 2021 (April event) in July 2020 we advised, should international artists be able to perform at the next Bluesfest event, we will bring them – and we will deliver!

We look forward to celebrating the return of live music and the finest artists this country has to offer with you at Bluesfest 2022.

COVID-19 SAFETY PLAN

Bluesfest is continually receiving helpful advice from the NSW Department of Health on creating a COVID-19 Safety Plan. Furthermore, Bluesfest has engaged a risk assessment company to include the COVID-19 Safety Plan into the event’s overall safety and risk management plan and to assist with the realisation of those compliances.

The latest government regulations for major events and festivals was released on the 18th of February 2022. You can keep up to date with what to expect at Bluesfest 2022 via our COVID-Safety Information website page HERE.

Bluesfest’s medical centre will be extended to allow for additional safety requirements set by the NSW Department of Health.