Byron Bay Bluesfest is facing criticism over the introduction of a daily parking fee for its upcoming 2019 event, which some ticket-holders have described as “a rip-off”.
Fairfax Media reports that Bluesfest added a new section to its website on Wednesday, 12th December (after tickets had been on sale for months), announcing that onsite parking would cost $50 a day (or $25 a day if booked online), adding up to $250 to the festival price. Parking had previously been free for ticket-holders.
Last week, organisers reportedly said the decision to introduce a parking fee will help reduce the site’s carbon footprint, but that didn’t sit well with some ticket-holders, many of whom say they will now park nearby and walk to avoid paying the parking fee.
“Shame, shame, shame on you Bluesfest! The parking charge is a total dog act,” said Facebook user Hayley Brimelow. “Why was this not mentioned when ‘Early Bird’ tickets were sold??? Sad times.”
“$50 Parking – are you kidding? That’s not being green, it’s being a rip-off,” said Gavin Goeldner.
While the ‘Paid Parking’ topic appears to have disappeared from the official Bluesfest online forum, some ticket-holders have continued to share their frustrations on the site.
“The cost of the ticket should cover all aspects of attending the festival,” one wrote.
Others were a bit more open to the idea.
“It was free this year but it won’t be next year. I guess it was going to happen eventually,” one said.
“I’m happy to pay $50 a day parking if it means they can afford to bring [Kan]Ye [West] over to play the fest,” said another.
Bluesfest organisers declined to comment when contacted by Music Feeds.
Bluesfest made its third major lineup announcement in November, and will return to Byron Bay’s Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm in April with performances from the likes of Iggy Pop, Norah Jones, Paul Kelly, Hozier, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals and Ray LaMontagne.
View the full lineup down below, and all of the Bluesfest sideshows right here.
Bluesfest 2019 Third Lineup Announcement
Iggy Pop
Norah Jones
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Imelda May
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Archie Roach
Pierce Brothers
Backsliders
Fantastic Negrito
The Marcus King Band
Thando
Little Georgia
Benny Walker
Dallas Woods
Joining…
Bluesfest 2019 Second Lineup Announcement
Paul Kelly
Hozier
David Gray
Julia Stone
Gary Clark Jr.
Mavis Staples (exclusive)
Flogging Molly
Meshell Ndegeocello
Ruthie Foster (exclusive)
Shakey Graves
Anderson East (exclusive)
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
Samantha Fish (exclusive)
The War And Treaty (exclusive)
Mojo Juju
Caiti Baker
Deva Mahal (exclusive)
Melody Angel
Hussy Hicks
Joining…
Bluesfest 2019 First Lineup Announcement
Jack Johnson (Exclusive)
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals (Exclusive)
Ray LaMontagne
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic (Exclusive)
Snarky Puppy
Kasey Chambers
St Paul & The Broken Bones (Exclusive)
Nahko And Medicine For The People
Tommy Emmanuel
Colin Hay
Arlo Guthrie
Keb’ Mo’
Tex Perkins
Allen Stone
Richard Clapton
Russell Morris
Kurt Vile & The Violators
Vintage Trouble
The Black Sorrows
The California Honeydrops
Trevor Hall
I’m With Her
Larkin Poe
Irish Mythen
Elephant Sessions
Greensky Bluegrass
Rockwiz Live
Bluesfest 2019
Thursday, 18th April — Monday, 22nd April
Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay
Tickets: Official Website
