Bluesfest has revealed the "catastrophic" financial impact of the 2021 event cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a report released today, delivered by Reuben Lawrence Consulting, the much-loved festival has reported that the event's last minute cancellation this Easter resulted in an estimated $181.2M loss for the economy, as well as an impact on 897 full-time jobs.
“We were heartbroken when we first got cancelled in 2020, but the last-minute cancellation in 2021 was catastrophic," said Bluesfest director Peter Noble OAM of the results today.
“We lost so much when Bluesfest was cancelled less than 24 hours out by NSW Public Health Order. Our entire industry was traumatised, yet we picked up the pieces, put ourselves back together, paid our bills, including significant payments to the cancelled artists and still delivered major numbers to the economy of New South Wales in economic output and job creation."
READ MORE: Bluesfest Announces Rescheduled 2021 Dates
“In the end we move on because we believe our industry, the live music industry, will come back stronger than ever. There is simply nothing that equals the experience of live music. If you think we are going to give up, not only must you think again, but also, we don’t think you are thinking right in the first place.
"Live music will return and we will be at the forefront."
See the figures below showing the results of the study.
