The Byron Bay Bluesfest boasted the largest music festival crowd since COVID, in a promising sign for the industry.
Bluesfest Director Peter Noble told industry publication Australian Leisure Management the Easter long weekend event on the north New South Wales coast, registered 109,000 attendance and would return in 2026.
“Music lovers from across the country came together to celebrate what Bluesfest fans and the music community have always known – that live music and this much-loved festival are worth standing behind,” Mr Noble said.
“We’ve had the highest attendance of any Australian festival since pre-COVID at 109,000 attendances – the third-biggest event we’ve done in the history of the festival. Festivals are back.
“We’re the top-selling festival in the country, and we’ve worked hard to get here.”
He said the crowd of all ages was as diverse as Bluesfest had ever welcomed, testament to the event’s multi- generational appeal to live-music loving fans from all walks of life.
“This year’s four-day showcase of some great live performers was a virtual sellout, with the biggest-ever opening night crowd pouring through the festival gates from the moment they opened on Thursday.”
