Despite lost headliners, Bluesfest welcomes 105k+

Byron Bay Bluesfest this year recorded one of its biggest-ever attendances, with more than 105,000 people passing through its gates from Thursday 13 to Monday 17 April in spite of being down two headliners.

Both Neil Young and Bee Gee Barry Gibb were confirmed for the 28th Bluesfest, but cancelled within weeks of each other last December, with Young apparently deciding “to take 2017 off from touring” and Live Nation calling off Gibb’s planned trek “due to a change in international commitments”.

Despite the setbacks, attendance still matched 2015 levels, and beat 2014’s 104,526 – but fell short of 2011’s Bob Dylan-headlined mega-event.

Promoter Peter Noble OAM comments: “I think everybody that came this year will tell you that this has been one of the great Bluesfests, and in my opinion certainly within our top three.”

“I think everybody that came this year will tell you that this has been one of the great Bluesfests”

Headliners were Patti Smith (performing Horses), the Zac Brown Band, Jimmy Buffett, Santana and Nas, with other performers including The Doobie Brothers, Madness, The Lumineers and an admirably strong contingent of female talent, such as Smith, Mary J. Blige, Laura Mvula, Bonnie Raitt, Courtney Barnett, Corinne Bailey Ray, Nikki Hill and Rickie Lee Jones.

“Backstage is like a rock’n’roll fantasy camp,” said Hill, “and, especially, seeing such a female presence around has been incredible.”

Bluefest will return to Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, New South Wales, for its 29th outing on 29 March–2 April 2018.

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

Read More Like This

News|08 Dec 2023

Bluesfest introduces $4,000 platinum ticket

The offering includes exclusive access to the side-of-stage viewing platforms and viewing areas at the front of the stage

News|08 Jan 2024

Frank Turner’s Lost Evenings expands to Canada

The four-day event will take place from 19-22 September at the 5,000-cap The Theatre, Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto

News|27 Mar 2024

Japan’s live industry welcomes several new venues

At least nine new entertainment and sports venues will be built in time for 2027, thanks to a major change in men's basketball leagues

News|16 Nov 2023

Secret Sounds axes festival leg due to supply issues

The Live Nation-owned promoter has cancelled the Brisbane leg of its Australian festival Heaps Good due to "event equipment issues"

News|31 Jan 2024

Pandemonium over new Oz rock festival

The Sydney edition of Pandemonium Rocks is scheduled to take place on ANZAC Day, much to the dismay of local veteran groups and politicians