Understanding why discontent with government extends beyond those in power, maybe down to the area and its history. The Northern Rivers is a centre for counter-culture in Australia so it is naturally sceptical of big government. Since the last Bluesfest, there has been no pause between drought, fire, plague and flood. Bluesfest 2021 was cancelled with 1 day of notice by a government spooked by 1 covid case. The timing ensured maximum economic damage to businesses and artists already on their knees from the fires. When people started drowning, the government did not respond. Emergency calls went unanswered. It was the community, in a fleet of small private boats who saved the lives of people trapped in their homes. Locals are not surprised when politicians seeking photo ops with survivors get the cold shoulder. Anger at government inaction is so strong the current PM did not risk contact with the public at any point during his obligatory visit after the floods. So tension continued to build and needed to be released.

Bluesfest 2022 has shown that music has a role in mental and economic recovery. Gathering around music is in our DNA. We do it because we are human beings. When we immerse ourselves in music, the rest of the world disappears. This is an essential reprieve, especially when dealing with ongoing trauma. Being reminded of the imminent election during their overdue catharsis was too much for some, but was forgotten as soon as Jimmy began to sing.

UPDATE: Despite Jimmy and Albo getting Covid during the campaign, Albo became Australia’s 31st prime minister on 22nd May 2022.

This image cannot be used as editorial due to localized adjustments so this is purely an exercise in Photoshop for the blog. I used a sunset shot from South Australia called Solar Nuke to add yellow and red. The unedited image is available for download here.

UPDATE: Jimmy will be back onstage on Sunday 31st March 2024. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

Browndog used his track “Follow The Sun” in their Monday Bluesfest Montage. Since then it has been stuck in my head, as it has good navigation advice for those living in mobile photon catchers. I bought his 2012 album “Spirit Bird” and listened to it as I reviewed his photos.

The album uses samples from Australia’s diverse and musical songbird populations. Since I moved here in 2011 the variety of their tunes has been a constant wonder. As songbirds originated in Australia and they predate humans anywhere, this land probably heard the first music.

This shot captured his smile, but the background was a dull dark brown. I was inspired to get creative by another photographer Jason Rosewarne, who produces artworked festival images to a very high standard.

This image cannot be used as editorial due to localised adjustments, so this is purely a fun exercise in Photoshop for the blog. I used a sunset shot from South Australia called Solar Nuke to add the yellow, orange and red spots. Difference blend mode was used with a soft, scattered brush to create the blue, purple and green fireflies.

(unedited image download here)

Xavier Rudd 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. Xavier Rudd will return to the festival in 2026. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2026
1st artist reveal

To say they captured the original ’70s sound is an understatement. Never has a band produced a more faithful live performance, of the original recordings. Close your eyes and you will think Bob Marley had come back to life.

I know of no other group who can fly halfway around the world, play for 90mins to any festival audience, most of which are younger than the tunes, and still have the crowd sing along to every song.

The crowd then called them back for 3 encore songs. First, they chilled the tempo with Redemption Song and the crowd responded by holding lighters in the air (but this is 2022, so most were phone lights) Then they played One World, One Prayer from their latest album which was quickly followed by Could You Be Loved, at which point the crowd erupted and five thousand people jumped in the air and began to move as one.

The Wallers released their first new album in 25 years. I have downloaded some tunes to help me get over the end of live music at Bluesfest for another year.

Next year’s festival tickets will soon be available from the Bluesfest website.

This image is available for download here.

UPDATE: The Wailers will return to the festival in 2026. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

UPDATE: Crowded House 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.

The Melbourne Ska Orchestra 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.

The crowd were packed in to see the band. For safety the pit in front of the crowd is larger this year, this gives photographers more room to move. Unfortunately, Garrett recently recovered from Covid which made shooting from there impossible. I must thank Sarah Ndiaye for arranging a last-minute opportunity to shoot from the sound desk.

Garret shows no signs of slowing down, his energetic performance and frenetic dancing style enthused the audience. When they played Beds Are Burning I saw the crowd move in unison. A wave of dancing spread as far as the eye could see.

UPDATE: Peter Garrett will be back at the festival in Easter 2024 with his band The Alter Egos. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website

UPDATE: At Bluesfest 2026 there will be a tribute to Oils drummer Rob Hirst, Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

Bluesfest 2026

UPDATE: Felix is relaunching the Cat Empire with a new lineup and is billed to return to the festival in 2023 tickets are available via the Bluesfest website.

UPDATE: The Cat Empire 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.

The band are playing all 5 days of the festival so there is still time to get your tickets from the Bluesfest website.

This image is available for download here.

When I first studied the Australian system for my citizenship test, I was impressed by how the Aussies have improved on the British parliamentary democracy by having an elected upper house and compulsory voting. However, I ask myself how democratic is any system where policies are dictated by large corporations and the uber-wealthy who fund both sides of politics, ensuring their interests are protected regardless of the puppet which is elected.

I see no problem with the structure of government in Australia, only how the political parties are funded. IMHO the only solution, however unpalatable, is to ban all political donations and replace it with tax-funded parties on a per-vote basis. Nobody likes to think of their taxes going to political parties but in the long run, it must be cheaper than political donations being paid back 10-fold to the wealthy through policy changes such as tax brakes or handouts. Something labelled an “economic stimulus package” which benefits party donors is essentially a legal corruption of power at the heart of democracy. Unless this change is made, I fear small scale food growers like Paul, who have fed this nation for generations, will be the last in line when it comes to precious resources such as water.

I will be making a brief stop on the Gold Coast before dodging fires on my way to the Blue Mountains.