Byron Bay's famous Bluesfest cancelled with less than three weeks' notice
Iggy Pop is one of a galaxy of international stars to have graced the Bluesfest stage. (Supplied: Dave Kan)
In short:
Bluesfest ticket holders have been told they are unlikely to get a refund from the cancelled event.
Organisers of the event, which has been running for more than 30 years, blame rising production, insurance and touring costs.
What's next?
A liquidator has been appointed and ticketholders will be contacted about potential refunds.
Ticket holders for this year's Byron Bay Bluesfest have been told they are not likely to get a refund from the cancelled event.
Organisers announced today they were "deeply saddened" to cancel the famous festival, less than three weeks before it was due to begin.
"This is an incredibly difficult decision, and we are so proud of everything Bluesfest has achieved ... and the community that has grown around the festival over the past three decades," they said.
"Rising production, logistics, insurance and touring costs, combined with a challenging environment for major live events, mean it is no longer possible to deliver the festival to the standard our audiences, artists and partners expect."
Liquidator Worrells has been appointed to handle all financial matters for Bluesfest.
In an email to ticket holders seen by the ABC, Worrells said: "At this stage it seems unlikely that you will be refunded from the liquidation any money, but we will notify you if this position changes."
Morcheeba on stage at Bluesfest in 2022. This year's festival was due to start on April 2. (Supplied: Dave Kan)
The music festival, which began in 1990, has played host to some of the world's biggest stars including Bob Dylan, Midnight Oil and R.E.M.
This year's event was scheduled to run from April 2–5, with Split Enz and local hardcore heroes Parkway Drive the headline acts.
Split Enz were due to kick off their Australian tour at Bluesfest before playing arenas in May. (Supplied: Live Nation)
More than 100,000 people passed through the gates last year, but some left angry at Bluesfest founder Peter Noble after he backflipped on his announcement that 2025 would be the festival's final year.
The event was also hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the 2020 and 2021 events called off at short notice by the NSW government.
Peter Noble had marketed the 2025 Bluesfest as the last. (Supplied: Bluesfest)
The latest cancellation will be a blow to the NSW economy, with a report commissioned by organisers estimating the 2024 event contributed more than $230 million.
Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye said it was "very sad news" for the community.
"Obviously, a huge economic loss but also such a big part of the fabric of our community," she said.
"Very much feeling for all the people involved. Obviously very difficult times with all the things that are going on in the world at the moment.
"Anyone that's trying to arrange things that involve lots of international travel, with prices going up the way they are and the instability … I can only imagine it would be very difficult."
Ash Grunwald played Bluesfest 11 times. (Jeremy Story Carter, ABC)
Australian blues musician Ash Grunwald, who has played at the festival 11 times, said the news was "devastating".
"I feel really, really saddened. It was an amazing festival," he said.
"It gave [musicians] exposure to all of Australia because everybody went to it and also because they had amazing international acts which, as a musician, was very inspiring to see.
"The festival has just been an amazing thing for your whole career, and it was for mine, and it really helped to make me."
Bluesfest was one of five festivals to share in $2.5 million from the state government in 2024 under its Contemporary Music Festival Viability Fund.
The fund was set up in response to the cancellation of festivals, including other northern NSW drawcards Splendour In The Grass and Falls Festival.
Visiting northern New South Wales this morning, Premier Chris Minns said he was in the dark about the cancellation of Bluesfest, but said it would be a big loss.
"I love those festivals. They are really important, particularly for regional communities, and when they are gone, they are gone for good," Mr Minns said.
"It's very hard to get them up and running again."