Bluesfest Cancelled – Local Mob Say They Know What It’s Like to Have Promises Broken

BYRON BAY – The sudden cancellation of Bluesfest 2026 just weeks before the Easter long weekend has left ticketholders devastated and a liquidator appointed. Indigenous Australians have expressed sympathy while noting this is a feeling they know well. 🎵

“Oh you spent money on something and then the people in charge pulled the rug out from under ya?” said local Bundjalung woman Shelly Roberts. “Yeah bro welcome to the last 236 years.”

Bluesfest director Peter Noble said the cancellation was due to rising costs and poor ticket sales. Shelly said she understood completely. “We’ve been getting told ‘sorry the funding’s been cut’ since before I was born. At least youse are getting a liquidator. We just get a pamphlet.”

The festival had a stacked lineup including Split Enz Parkway Drive and Earth Wind & Fire. Shelly reckoned the community NAIDOC concert last year was just as good. “We had Uncle Barry on the guitar and Auntie Pam doing karaoke. Earth Wind and Fire? We had Earth Wind and Flies.”

Festival-goers who spent thousands on tickets and accommodation are being told refunds are “unlikely.” Shelly nodded knowingly. “Unlikely. That’s government speak for ‘never.’ We invented not getting our money back.”

Byron Bay businesses are bracing for the economic impact. Shelly offered some practical advice. “Maybe try a GoFundMe. It works for everything else around here.”

At press time a local entrepreneur was already advertising “Bluesfest at Home” kits consisting of a Bluetooth speaker and a warm six-pack.