This year’s 25th Silver Anniversary edition of Bluesfest has provided the long-running Byron Bay festival with record-breaking attendance figures as organisers issue a series of insightful facts and numbers.
Bluesfest 2014 and its 90+ strong lineup, headlined by Dave Matthews Band and John Mayer, drew the festival’s biggest crowd ever, with 104,526 patrons hitting the festival over its five day run over the Easter long weekend; trumping last year’s historic record crowd of 104,244.
On top of achieving their highest attendance ever, Bluesfest’s wizened Peter Noble points out: “In fact there are records coming in from all over, we toured more artists (39 all up), had more campers, sold more merchandise – in fact virtually everything was up, but of most importance is the response from the festival ticket buyers and artists, we have never had this level of positive response in our 25 year history.”
Three weeks on from Bluesfest 2014, some other interesting stats from the festival include; 5,660 campers on site, 109 bands playing over 230 sets over 7 stages (plus 26 buskers), 1,054 workers and 500 volunteers helped out, 23.84 tonnes of recycling was collected, $55,000 in donations was raised towards the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation – the highest annual fundraising contribution by an Aussie festival, and over 40,000 coffees were drunk while stalls sold over 1400 kilos of noodles, 1 tonne of meat, 350 kilos of lettuce, and over 20,000 donuts to hungry festival-goers.
Most promising of all, 6,000 pre-early bird tickets have already been purchased for Bluesfest 2015 with Noble noting that “over 100 artists” have already noted their interest to play next year’s festival; “we are soon moving into booking that event – so agents take notice,” he says.
For more facts and figures from Bluesfest 2014 and ticket info for next year’s edition, head here, and watch a wrap-up of Bluesfest’s 25th edition here.
This Week’s New Tracks On Triple J
Adds:
Midnight Juggernauts – Cedoption [Siberia/Inertia]
Alison Wonderland – I Want U [EMI]
Andy Bull – Talk Too Much [Universal]
Astronomy Class – Four Barang In A Tuk-Tuk [Elefant Traks/Inertia]
The Creases – Static Lines [Liberation/Mushroom]
The Griswolds – Beware The Dog [Independent]
Jillionaire & Salvatore Ganacci – Fresh (Ft. Sanjin) [Universal]
sleepmakeswaves – Something Like Avalanches [Bird’s Robe Records]
Spots:
Eugene McGuinness – Godiva [Domino/EMI]
Guerre – Deatheat [Yes Please/Remote Control]
Movement – Ivory [Modular]
Vacationer – In The Grass [Create/Control]
Industry News
Coaching Session With INXS Manager Chris Murphy
Music manager Chris ‘CM’ Murphy will be hosting a free online coaching session on Wednesday 21st May, as part of the Pedestrian Coach series, in which the former INXS manager will be offering choices pieces of wisdom on getting a foot into the music industry, as well as what it takes to be an arena rock band and finding the right management in the interactive Q&A.
Murphy is best known for managing INXS for 15 years during their rise from Sydney pub band to one of Australia’s biggest ever music exports. He also had a hand in the careers of You Am I and Models. For more info on the 45 min coach session and to book, head here.
Indent Launches Music Conference For Young Australians
Indent, a NSW-based all-ages entertainment network, has announced the return of Feedback, a youth-oriented music conference. Aimed at assisting “young people to get a leg up in the highly competitive music business,” Feedback 2014 will be held on Monday 9th June in collaboration with Vivid Ideas 2014 at Sydney’s iconic Museum of Contemporary Art.
The program will feature music industry guest speakers, interactive sessions, take-home resources and networking opportunities, tailored especially for 12-25 year olds looking to forge a career in the music industry. Tickets are $15 (+b/f). More info and bookings at vividsydney.com/ideas (via MusicNSW)
Melbourne Music Week 2014 Expressions Of Interest Open
Melbourne Music Week (MMW) is calling on promoters, venues, recording labels, businesses and music aficionados to take part in the fifth instalment of MMW from November 14 – 23, 2014. EOIs are open for the City Of Melbourne produced events’ programming such as Live Music Safari, The Hub, Umbrella, and Self-Made Series.
All applications are assessed on “their fit within the uniquely Melbourne event program and alignment with the event’s mission, vision, and artistic direction.” All applications close Monday 9th June at 5pm. Full details and information on how to apply available at www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/mmw
Rdio Partners With News Corp Australia
Music streaming service Rdio has announced an exclusive integrated partnership with News Corp Australia, the first of its kind for Rdio locally. The partnership will see the media company sharing access to Rdio’s 25 million song library and services to News Corp digital subscribers through its +Rewards program. As part of the partnership, a number of News Corp journalists will also be creating playlists and profiles for users to follow, including writers at Courier Mail, Daily Telegraph, Adelaide Advertiser, and Herald Sun. (via Rdio)
Artist Signings
The Creases Sign To Liberation Music & Mushroom Music Publishing
Brisbane indie pop four-piece The Creases have been welcomed to the Liberation Music roster as part of a worldwide record deal with Mushroom Music Publishing. Along with the news, The Creases have unveiled a new track ‘Static Lines‘, the lead single from a forthcoming 5-track EP, and announced East Coast tour dates. Ticket details and more info here.
Art Killers Sign Go Freek
Sweat It Out’s new artist management and PR company, Art Killers, has signed electronic production duo Go Freek. Following the success of the group’s ‘We Can Ride’ single (currently #3 on the ARIA Club Charts), Go Freek is giving away new song ‘Milkshakes’ for free over at Soundcloud to celebrate. Listen/download here.
