Feature: Backseat Mafia's photographic tribute to Bluesfest Byron Bay

For four years, Backseat Mafia has covered Bluesfest Byron Bay, an iconic event on the Australian music calendar.

On March 13^th, just three weeks before what would have been the 37th Bluesfest in 2026, organizers announced the festival’s cancellation due to poor ticket sales. Shortly after, the company behind the event entered liquidation.

A statement read: “After 36 years as Australia’s most awarded music festival, Byron Bay Bluesfest has made the difficult decision not to proceed with the 2026 event. We are deeply saddened by this outcome and the impact it will have on our artists, staff, partners, vendors and the many loyal Bluesfest fans who have been part of the festival’s journey for more than three decades.”

The festival’s sudden demise sparked much debate. Many criticized the way the event was cancelled and questioned the liquidation process, which may leave many ticket holders out of pocket. The festival’s recent direction also left some attendees feeling disappointed and frustrated.

So on the day that the 2026 festival was scheduled to be finished, and despite these negatives, Backseat Mafia chooses to remember Bluesfest Byron Bay for the joy it brought. We focus on the artists who made the festival special, celebrating the music and memories shared by attendees and loyal fans.

Our tribute highlights the musicians we covered during the four festivals—2022, 2023, 2024, and the final Bluesfest in 2025. Among the standout performances were electrifying sets by international blues legends and unforgettable collaborations that brought the crowd to its feet. Many festival-goers recall moments like the return of the festival with a near all Australian lineup in 2022 following the two years of closure during the Covid pandemic, and the regular scheduling of the legands of music across the years. More than anything, was the community spirit that united fans year after year.

The loss of this festival, traditionally held over the Easter long weekend, leaves a massive hole in Australia’s music calendar. Bluesfest was a flag-bearer for large, independent festivals and now joins other major events that have sadly disappeared in the past decade.

If there is one lasting sentiment, it is the love of live music and the joy it brought to thousands of devoted fans over its 36-year history.

With a large array of mixed emotions, we present our photographic tribute to the thrill of live music and the vibrant community Bluesfest fostered during its final four years.

2022 Festival Gallery: