Byron Bay Bluesfest

Overview

Bluesfest is as old as I am, and in the period of time in which we've both been in existence, Bluesfest has grown from an idealistic little Easter weekend in Byron Bay to one of the most highly-awarded, innovative and internationally acclaimed festivals Australia has to offer. In that time I mostly just grew taller and formed an inability to function without coffee.

This year marks one of the most exciting Bluesfests to date. Feverish attention has been given to the headliner, Bob Dylan, the rock 'n' roll saviour of the 1960s who inspired generations of brooding young men to don dark glasses and take up the guitar. But the excitement also extends to the rest of the lineup, rounded out by the bespectacled troubadour Elvis Costello, blues legend B.B. King, and the androgynous musical powerhouse who launched a thousand haircuts, Grace Jones.

The six day lineup features many more acts, including Ben Harper, Michael Franti, The Blind Boys of Alabama, as well as Australian acts including Washington and Kate Miller-Heidke. Add to that camping in beautiful surrounds, market stalls, carnival rides and generally chilled atmosphere, you have a particularly awesome Easter to look forward to. Tickets are selling fast, and while you'll find it hard to get a whole-weekend ticket now if you haven't already got one, there are still some tickets available for the Thursday and the Tuesday, when Bob Dylan will be playing. Get in while you can.