We know all too well about Australia’s chaotic music festival scene. For every festival that falls it feels like another three are announced. The recent difficulties of Big Day Out prove that even the stalwart events aren’t forever immune.
But for 25 years Bluesfest has, so far, stood the test unlike few other big Australian festivals.
Growing from 6,000 punters to over 100,000 people across five days this Byron Bay festival is one of the country’s best selling music events.
Booking legends like Robert Plant, Iggy And The Stooges, Erykah Badu, Bob Dylan and John Fogerty amongst many many others goes a long way to selling out a festival, but Bluesfest’s success goes beyond just booking the big names.
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Australia’s premier blues and roots music festival and one of the country’s best music events has maintained its growth by rewarding an increasingly loyal audience.
Every year Bluesfest brings some of the best blues and roots bands from around the world to Byron Bay, alongside local favourites and its blue chip headliners.
It knows its audience better than most events and caters to them accordingly. The 2015 lineup is no different. With just a fraction of the bands announced it’s already looking incredible as you can see by the poster below.
Located in the picturesque surrounds of the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm 11km north of Byron Bay Bluesfest, for many Aussies, is a festival that is slightly out of the way. But it’s undoubtedly one you can’t miss.
To take the hassle out of planning your trip to Byron we’ve put together a quick 5-step guide to the festival below.
1. Book Ahead Before It’s Too Late
As the festival gets increasingly popular tickets inevitably sell out more quickly every year. There are numerous ticketing options, but to simplify it a five-day festival ticket is valued at $545 per person, while a three-day pass will set you back $380.
Single ticket prices vary depending on the day you choose and those who buy tickets in pairs or fours are offered cheaper tickets as well. Over at the ticketing page you’ll also find options for the VIP lounge and camping tickets. Ticket prices are likely to increase as more lineup announcements are made so get in quick!
2. How To Get There
We’ll leave it up to you to decide whether to fly or drive to Byron from your home. But there are a few handy travel hints you might want to consider before choosing how you should get there. Flights from Ballina, Lismore and Gold Coast airports will be running shuttle buses to Bluesfest. The festival’s encourages punters use this carpool service, while those coming from Sydney/Brisbane way can choose between trains and buses. For all the specifics head here.
3. All The Camping Information You Need To Know
As you’ll see if you perused the ticket link above five day camping is worth $280 and $180 for three. The campground at the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm has its own general store, laundry, toilets and showers with spots assigned to one car per campsite. If setting up a tent is your worst nightmare you can book a tent motel and rainbow tipis on top of the camping ticket. Just follow this way for all the details.
4. Phone Charging to Food Stalls, Everything Else You Need To Know About Bluesfest
There are phone charging stations at Bluesfest with the cloakroom your go to destination. It will cost you a small fee though, while the food stalls include everything from vegetarian to Mexican and Asian cuisines. Shuttle bus services do run from Byron and surrounding towns, while EFTPOS breastfeeding and nappy changing facilities are set up around the festival site. You can choose
5. Want To Play Bluesfest? Here’s How:
If you aren’t lucky enough to be apart of one of the 90 or so acts playing Bluesfest you can still be apart of this year’s mammoth lineup with the festival’s busking competition. Held in the weeks leading up to the festival around Byron the winner must be an unsigned act with the prize including a time on the Busking stage and recording studio time. Applications for the 2015 event open towards the end of November. Head here for more information.
Need more information? Head to the official Bluesfest website for the answers to all your questions.
