Australia’s Bluesfest goes bust three weeks from festival
After more than 30 years the Byron Bay festival has called it quits due to a 'perfect storm' of challenges
News By Lisa Henderson | 13 March 2026
After 36 years, Australia’s Byron Bay Bluesfest has gone bust due to a “perfect storm of rising production, logistics, insurance and touring costs”.
The 2026 edition, due to take place in just three weeks with a lineup led by Split Enz, Parkway Drive, Sublime, Earth, Wind & Fire, and others, has been cancelled.
“After 36 years as Australia’s most awarded festival, Bluesfest has made the difficult decision not to proceed with the 2026 event,” reads a statement from the festival’s organisers.
“We are proud of what we have achieved – the music, our artists, the busking competition, our staff, our community, and everyone who has been part of the Bluesfest journey.”
”Rising production, logistics, insurance and touring costs, together with a more challenging environment for major live…
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