They formed in Oakland, California, which is similar to Byron Bay. They are both next to subtropical bays that stick out into the Pacific Ocean. Given the chance, festivals and nature thrive at these comfortable, holiday weather, latitudes. In turn, the local music is influenced by hippies and surfers.

Both areas have seen historic migrations of beatniks. The Summer of Love in 1967 saw the largest migration of young people in the history of America. In Australia, the 1973 Aquarius Festival had an enduring effect on the culture of the Northern Rivers region. The local dairy industry was in terminal decline because the UK’s price to join Europe was to cut Australia loose. Some festival-goers pooled resources and bought a 1,200-acre property, this became one of many communes which started after the festival. They formed a hippie economy which continues to this day.

There is a theory: music gets more chill the hotter the climate. That is why reggae came from Jamaica and Scandinavia is full of metal bands. Maybe the mosh pit is how Vikings kept warm? As for The California Honeydrops, you can hear the sunshine in their music.

Their website calls them retro-soul, which gives you an idea. I watched some videos that had hints of Motown, gospel and skiffle. Then I listened to their 2013 album, “Like You Mean It,” which had a mellow jazz swing. Honeydrops are a good description as the music is smooth and sweet.

The California Honeydrops will return one last time for the final Byron Bay Bluesfest in Easter 2025, tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

UPDATE: In 2026 Bluesfest will be the last in a line of major festivals closed from increasing headwinds. This began before covid, with the previous state government’s legislative “war on festivals“. The new government risks letting this trend continue through inaction. However, you can change this. If 20,000 signatures are received, the NSW Parliament must debate Bluesfest’s future. #savebluesfest if you live in the state Sign up here. For everyone else, there is an international petition on change.org Sign up here.

UPDATE: Due to the success of Bluesfest 2025, its future has been confirmed. Discounted early bird tickets for the 2026 festival are available here.

This year I’ve been listening to their album “Atlas Shoulders” It has an uplifting, fun summer holiday vibe to it. Imagine all the toe-tapping folksy stomp of Mumford and Sons without the melancholy.

Their music does not stop there. They have one song, “Juno”, which sounds so much like Simon and Garfunkel, it must have been an intentional homage. They nailed their sound so well that I had to Google it to make sure they hadn’t uncovered some unknown Paul Simon tune.

Their sibling harmonies generally favour acoustic instruments, which is great. Occasionally, they dust off the electric guitar and create the type of hard-driving rhythm you would expect from a Chris Rea track, as they do for “Back To You”

I enjoyed listening to them for this review and will add this album to my playlist. Now I know these songs so well, I am especially looking forward to seeing them performed live on Sat 30th & Sun 31st March 2024. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

UPDATE: The Pierce Brothers will return one last time for the final Byron Bay Bluesfest in Easter 2025, tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

UPDATE: In 2026, Bluesfest will be the last in a line of major festivals closed from increasing headwinds. This began before covid, with the previous state government’s legislative “war on festivals“. The new government risks letting this trend continue through inaction. However, you can change this. If 20,000 signatures are received, the NSW Parliament must debate Bluesfest’s future. #savebluesfest if you live in the state Sign up here. For everyone else, there is an international petition on change.org Sign up here.

UPDATE: Due to the success of Bluesfest 2025, its future has been confirmed. The Pierce Brothers will return to the festival in 2026. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2026
1st artist reveal

Melody Angel will return to the festival in 2025, tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

UPDATE: In 2026 Bluesfest will be the last in a line of major festivals closed from increasing headwinds. This began before covid, with the previous state government’s legislative “war on festivals“. The new government risks letting this trend continue through inaction. #savebluesfest, international petition on change.org Sign up here.

This image is available for download here.

UPDATE: In 2026 Bluesfest will be the last in a line of major festivals closed from increasing headwinds. This began before covid, with the previous state government’s legislative “war on festivals“. The new government risks letting this trend continue through inaction. However, you can change this. If 20,000 signatures are received, the NSW Parliament must debate Bluesfest’s future. #savebluesfest if you live in the state Sign up here. For everyone else, there is an international petition on change.org Sign up here.

UPDATE: Due to the success of Bluesfest 2025, its future has been confirmed. Discounted early bird tickets for the 2026 festival are available here.