Second largest Bluesfest as crowd numbers exceed 105,000

Despite the loss of headliners Lenny Kravitz and The Black Keys, and despite the rain, the 26th Bluesfest Byron Bay drew a crowd of over 105,000, organisers confirmed last night.

That makes it the festival’s second largest attendance ever, beating the 104,244 in 2013. The largest ever crowd was 115,000 in 2011 when Bob Dylan finally appeared after organisers had chased him since 2003. That year, the festival ran over six days rather than the traditional five.

Bluesfest festival director, Peter Noble said of the 2015 event’s success, “The blues and roots fans know that Bluesfest is the place to be at Easter. There were magic performances by so many artists from Brittany Howard of the Alabama Shakes, Paolo Nutini, David Gray, Jurassic 5, Playing For Change, Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals and many many more.

“The legend shone. Jimmy Cliff was magnificent, Mama Africa Angelique Kidjo danced the house down, Mavis Staples and Charles Bradley showered us with soul music.”

Altogether there were 89 acts, who made up a total of 908 musicians and their touring parties at the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm. Even as the festival set off, there were more cancellations. US-hailed Trevor Hall, who was to make his Australian debut, had to axe his set (and his subsequent tour) after being hospitalised with a serious infection.

Cystic Fibrosis raised over $48,000 from raffles of donated Gibson guitars. Over the last 16 years Bluesfest has raised about $422,000 for the charity. There were 500 volunteers, aged from 18 to 75, with a 43% return rate.

As to be expected, cameos and collaborations were among the highlights. Jack Johnson, who wasn’t officially on the bill, jumping up onstage with G Love and Donavon Frankenreiter. Frankenreiter, who brought the place down with his cover of Midnight Oil’s Beds Are Burning, was in turn joined by Johnson, G. Love, Jake Shimabukuro and Kristy Lee.

Playing For Change’s set on Friday saw them share the stage with Keb Mo and G. Love.

Zac Brown Band’s performance was augmented by Keb Mo, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and later in the set, Jack Johnson.

Kasey Chambers was among those gushing about rising troubadour Steve Smythe, joined this year’s winners of the busking competition, Central Coast’s Grizzlee Train.

Melbourne Ska Orchestra’s Nicky Bomba not only brought on Ranking Roger from The Beat but also Bluesfest’s Peter Noble for a sing-along. “We won’t be welcome back next year now that I’ve made him sing,” Bomba quipped.

Michael Franti's mini-festival Soulshine was a mix of music and yoga, while Duncan Peak, surfer and founder Power Living Australia Yoga, held a one-off mass yoga session.

Gumboots and crystal pendants were the fashion, and a punter proposed to his lady during Shaun Kirk's set. The acts were full of praise for the festival’s vibe. Frankenreiter remarked, "I love this festival more than any other festival that I’ve been a part of… it's the best crowd I’'ve ever played in front of too…it's really fun." Chris Robinson of Black Crowes fame, making his second visit, said, “It's a wonderful musical experience… if I’m gonna get on an airplane for fifteen hours it better be for Byron Bay Bluesfest."

Late last night, Noble and his crew were hoping that George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelicwould keep their set to less than three and half hours and finish by midnight.

Image:George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic
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