'Bluesfest Is Something We Believe Is Worth Fighting For'
Peter Noble
2025 might not be the final edition of Bluesfest after all - not if the sales for the 2025 event and Festival Director Peter Noble’s persistence have anything to do with it.
In a candid new interview with IQ Magazine, Noble discussed the future of the Byron Bay-based event, government support, and music industry machinations that led him to describe next year’s Bluesfest as the final one.
IQ Magazine reports that Noble is currently booking artists for the 2026 festival and is back in discussions with the NSW state government about potential support.
There’s no doubt that 2024 has been a turbulent year for music festivals in Australia, with premier events like Splendour In The Grass and Groovin’ The Moo cancelling their events just weeks after announcing their respective line-ups. So, in August, it looked like the country’s cultural scene would be dealt another blow when Peter Noble announced next year’s event would be the final Bluesfest.
Describing August as “a time of great disappointment,” Noble said the state government declined to invest in Bluesfest for its 2025 event. Outlining why he believed Bluesfest was worth government support, Noble continued:
During the last 12 years, Bluesfest brought $1.1 billion to our state through inbound tourism. That is a tsunami of gold, but it seemingly doesn’t count. The [state government] just wanted to put it in their coffers and not take responsibility for Australia’s great events.
Later in the interview, Noble laid out his position, asking what he had to do to save Bluesfest. “Do we have to say it’s the last Bluesfest to get people to focus on us?”
He added, “All we’ve asked our state to do is to show us that they care about the most highly awarded event in the history of Australian music. Regardless, I will always find a way for Bluesfest to go forward – that is my job.”
Due to billing next year’s event as the final Bluesfest, the event has seen incredible support from punters and is well on its way to selling out in advance of its Easter weekend dates.
“We’re potentially going to have our most successful festival yet,” Noble told IQ Magazine. “We’re on the path to selling out, with 89,000 passes sold, and I’m sure we’ll go past 90,000 after [yesterday’s] 3rd artist announcement. We’re probably the best-selling festival in Australia at the moment. We’ve been shown that people care about events and culture.”
This week, Bluesfest unveiled its third artist announcement for its 2025 event. George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Melody Angel, Rodrigo y Gabriela, and others will join Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Gary Clark Jr, Allison Russell, CW Stoneking, The Memphis Three (FIona Boyes, Frank Sultana & Jimi Hocking), The Lachy Doley Group, The California Honeydrops, Taj Farrant, Ash Grunwald, Kim Churchill, Neal Francis, 19-Twenty, Pierce Brothers, Marc Broussard with many more to be announced, I'm sure!
(source: https://themusic.com.au)
5th Annual Victorian Blues Music Hall of Fame 2024
On Wednesday, 27 November 2024, the 5th Annual Victorian Blues Music Hall of Fame took place at the iconic MEMO Music Hall in St Kilda. The event was a resounding success, bringing together over 180 attendees to celebrate and honour the individuals who have significantly contributed to making Victoria a vibrant hub for blues music.
Inductees
The evening spotlighted exceptional talent and dedication within the Victorian blues community, with three noteworthy inductees:
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Kerri Simpson was honored as the Industry Nominee, with her induction carried out by Helen Jennings AO from PBS.
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John Durr was recognised as an Industry Icon, inducted by Matt Frederick, also from PBS.
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Paulie Bignell received the People's Choice Blues Legend award, presented by Elly Mantzaris
Additionally, the Honour Roll for Services to Blues in Victoria acknowledged three stalwarts: Noel Goodwin, Billy Kavanagh, and Winston Galea, for their outstanding contributions to the local blues scene.
Celebration of Excellence
The event radiated a spirit of celebration and reverence, providing an opportunity for the community to reflect on the enduring legacy of blues music in Victoria. It also served as a platform to recognise the dedication of individuals who have worked tirelessly to continuously energise and support the local blues community.
Acknowledgments
Blues Music Victoria (BMV) expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the evening. Special thanks were extended to the MEMO Music Hall staff, the Blues Music Victoria Committee members, and particularly the BMV Executive team:
Dennis 'Salty' Trevarthen (President)
Barry 'Baz' Maxwell (Vice President)
Jouls Papp (Secretary)
Ray Reid (Treasurer)
Their commitment and organisational efforts were pivotal in bringing the event to life.
Looking Ahead
Blues Music Victoria is already gearing up for the next Hall of Fame event in 2025, with a vision to continue honoring and celebrating the rich legacy of blues music in Victoria.
The 2024 event was a resounding success, further reflecting the importance of the Victorian Blues Music Hall of Fame as a cornerstone of the local music industry.
'Salty' Trevarthen
President, Blues Music Victoria Inc.