Bluesfest is on for 2021, baby. That’s the message from Festival Director Peter Noble OAM, with organisers offering a distant shining beacon of hope after this year’s festival was cancelled earlier this week due to coronavirus concerns.
Next year’s festival will be held from Thursday, 1st to Monday, 5th of April.
“We will find a way to continue and present in 2021. I am a veteran, having been in this incredible industry since the 60s. I have never experienced such a dire situation. As a premier event we need to present another Bluesfest not only for ourselves but also for the entire entertainment industry to see that there will be a brighter day, and that as an industry we will come back from this,” commented Noble, who says he’s humbled by the outpouring of love and support from ticket-holders, the industry and wider community.
Noble says that organisers are currently in discussions with management for artists who were scheduled to play this year, and while the lineup is obviously yet to be locked in, he says they’ve received feedback from over 30 artists from this year’s bill confirming they’re keen to reschedule for the 2021 event.
This year’s festival lineup included the likes of Dave Matthews Band, Crowded House, Patti Smith, Lenny Kravitz, George Benson and more who’d planned to grace the stage at Tyagarah Tea Farm in Byron Bay.
“2021 will be the year for everyone who cares about the arts, music and the entire entertainment industry that we all love, to come out and show their support for each other,” says Noble. “We call on our industry, the musicians, the agents and the managers to get in touch with us and help us show the solidarity of strength that we have as a combined force. We are all in this together, and together we will go on and get through these troubled times.”
“Time is a healer and one day this will be behind us.”
Bluesfest say that representatives from their insurance companies have advised their claim is being processed, and that ticket refunds (or the ability to roll over tickets to next year’s event) will be announced shortly.
“We will constantly keep our patrons updated in this area and thank them all again for the patience they have shown. In the meantime, we wish you all good health and to remain strong and positive in these very trying times. See you at Bluesfest.”
