Gold Pass

The cancellation of Bluesfest has created a ripple effect across the Australian live music industry, with the collapse of the long running Byron Bay event raising concerns about consumer confidence, ticket purchasing habits and the financial stability of future festivals.

The cancellation of Bluesfest Byron Bay has seen the appointment of a liquidator, with ticketholders unlikely to receive refunds through the formal winding up process.

Here is the official statement about the cancellation of Bluesfest 2026.

After more than three decades as one of Australia's most significant music gatherings, Bluesfest will not return over Easter 2026, the Byron Bay event has been cancelled due to weak ticket sales.

Byron Bay Bluesfest has unveiled a major new wave of artists for its 2026 edition, confirming Parkway Drive, Erykah Badu and The Wailers as headline additions to an already formidable bill. The announcement reinforces Bluesfest’s long held reputation for programming that spans generations, genres and cultures, united by musicianship, legacy and the power of live performance.

Byron Bay Bluesfest will roar into its 37th edition in 2026 with one of the most important reunions in Australasian music history. Split Enz, in their first Australian appearance in two decades, will headline the Easter weekend event from 2 to 5 April 2026, confirming a landmark moment for the festival and for generations of fans who witnessed the band rewrite the rules of art-pop and new wave.

Byron Bay based British born singer Rhydian Lewis has signed a worldwide management agreement with Dorsey Production who have offices on the Gold Coast and Los Angeles.