Byron Rallies To Deliver Mini-Festival In Bluesfest’s Wake

Mary Varvaris

This year, Bluesfest isn’t “one big festival,” but the local community has rallied for a takeover, featuring The Wailers, The Living End, and more.

The Living End at Good Things Festival(Credit: Peter Dovgan)

The Living End

Bluesfest may be cancelled, but the show must go on.

Artists and bands who were set to perform at this year’s festival, including big names such as The Wailers and The Living End, and venues across the Byron Shire, will host live music across the region this Easter Weekend.

Venues involved in the Byron Bay takeover include the Byron Bay Bowlo, the Exchange Hotel, Stone & Wood, The Middle Pub, Eltham Hotel NSW, Beach Hotel Byron Bay, Hotel Brunswick, and more. Meanwhile, the above-mentioned acts will perform across the Shire alongside Skegss, The Tea Party’s Jeff Martin, The Dreggs, Taj Farrant, Hussy Hicks, and many others.

You can catch live music across numerous venues from Thursday, 2 to Monday, 6 April.

“Bluesfest might be cancelled… but the Byron Shire didn’t slow down,” shared local digital news publication Byron Edit.

Adding that this year, Bluesfest isn’t “one big festival,” but the local community has rallied for a takeover,” the publication shared that gigs will be “spilling out across towns” while DJs spin records until late, venues organise events last minute, “and a whole lot happening in places you wouldn’t expect.”

The publication also noted that there’s a pop-up busking festival organised alongside rodeo nights and a local brewery hosting the expected influx of punters. Live music and shuttles are expected to run across the Byron Shire during the Easter long weekend, with more information to be confirmed soon.

“Markets all weekend, Easter shows, farm days… it’s stacked, just a bit more spread out,” the publication continued.

“Most of this is free, but check out the tagged venues for full details and make sure you lock in tickets where needed.”

We recommend keeping an eye on the acts on the line-up, the venues and Byron Edit for further updates.

The Living End recently announced a one-off show at Hotel Brunswick to make it up to fans who expected to see them at Bluesfest. Meanwhile, The Wailers confirmed that they’re still heading to Australia and announced a new string of sideshows.