Byron Bay Bluesfest caught up in fresh controversy
Australia’s Byron Bay Bluesfest has become embroiled in a second controversy after four artists claimed they were axed from the festival’s 2023 line-up “in bad faith and in breach of contract”.
The Soul Rebels & Friends, with special guests Freedia, GZA and Talib Kweli, were booked for the 6-10 April festival at Byron Events Farm, but have since been taken off the bill.
Bluesfest director Peter Noble says the acts – who were also due to perform a series of theatre shows promoted by Bluesfest Touring – were removed “because they did not comply with the contractual terms”.
However, according to a statement from the artists’ representatives, seen by publications including Billboard and The Music Network, the US touring party had “fully executed signed contracts” with Noble and “had already booked travel to Australia”.
“Peter Noble removed the artists and the tour without further communication or reason from Bluesfest other than him stating his decision to not want to pay the artists,” it continues, adding: “These are all Black artists, and Big Freedia is an LGBTQ icon.”
“It appears the tour may have been replaced by other artists including Sticky Fingers”
The letter goes on to address the booking Australian band Sticky Fingers, whose inclusion was criticised in light of past allegations of racism and violence against frontman Dylan Frost, and led to Sampa the Great and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard both boycotting the festival.
“It appears the tour may have been replaced by other artists including Sticky Fingers,” reads the statement, which was released prior to Sticky Fingers being removed from the line-up last week. “We are uncertain about who else on Bluesfest may have also been cancelled.”
It adds: “Peter Noble’s cancellation of the tour of the aforementioned artists and on Bluesfest has resulted in significant financial loss to the artists. Peter’s egregious treatment and disregard of his contractual and moral obligations and disrespect can be completely supported by his actions and written communications.”
“The Soul Rebels contract was terminated because they did not comply with the contractual terms”
However, Noble denies the move had anything to do with Sticky Fingers.
“The termination of the Soul Rebels contract by Bluesfest has nothing to do with the announcement of Sticky Fingers playing at Bluesfest 2023,” he says in a statement. “The Soul Rebels contract was terminated because they did not comply with the contractual terms. By that, we mean, Soul Rebels, Big Freedia, GZA and Talib Kweli.”
Next month’s festival is scheduled to feature artists including Mavis Staples, Bonnie Raitt, The Doobie Brothers, Jackson Browne, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Paolo Nutini, Lucinda Williams, Beck, Gang Of Youths and Tash Sultana.
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Sticky Fingers removed from Bluesfest line-up
Sticky Fingers have been removed from the line-up for Byron Bay Bluesfest after a backlash over the band’s appearance.
The Australian group’s booking was criticised in light of past allegations of racism and violence against frontman Dylan Frost, with Sampa the Great and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard both boycotting the festival in response to their inclusion.
Bluesfest director Peter Noble recently spoke out in support of Frost, who was diagnosed with bipolar schizophrenia in 2015, saying: “I question why there is such an ongoing witch-hunt toward a man with a mental health disorder. A man who is attempting to grow and function in society.”
However, Noble has now confirmed the band will now no longer be performing at the event, which returns to Byron Events Farm from 6–10 April.
“We are sad to announce that Bluesfest has decided that Sticky Fingers is to step off the Bluesfest 2023 line-up,” reads a statement. “Bluesfest cannot, sadly, continue to support Sticky Fingers by having them play our 2023 edition, and we apologise to those artists, sponsors and any others we involved in this matter through our mistaken belief that forgiveness and redemption are the rock on which our society is built.
“The narrative that they continue to deserve to be cancelled, as well as anyone who publicly supports them, is difficult to accept”
“The narrative that they continue to deserve to be cancelled, as well as anyone who publicly supports them, is difficult to accept, wherein a portion of society and media passes eternal judgment toward those, in this case, a diagnosed mentally ill person whom we feel doesn’t deserve the continued public scrutiny he’s being given.”
The statement adds: “We thank everyone who has contacted us and advised their support in this matter, especially those suffering from a mental illness who feel they cannot have their illness supported in a manner whereby they feel included in society.
“Sticky Fingers has done so many good deeds that have never been reported, including building and funding recording studios and music education programs in disadvantaged regional communities.”
Bluesfest 2023 will feature artists including Mavis Staples, Bonnie Raitt, The Doobie Brothers, Jackson Browne, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Paolo Nutini, Lucinda Williams, Beck, Gang Of Youths and Tash Sultana, among others.
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