Australia's Bluesfest Byron Bay will likely continue beyond 2025, contrary to earlier cancellation announcements. Festival organizer Peter Noble revealed plans are already underway for a 2026 edition during a recent interview.

The initial cancellation announcement was reportedly a strategic move to highlight concerns about government funding inequities, particularly regarding support for international events like SXSW over local festivals. This approach has apparently succeeded, with Noble confirming that government discussions have resumed.

Current Status and Future Outlook:

• 2024 festival scheduled for April 17th
• Reduced to four days from traditional five-day format
• Approximately 90,000 passes sold
• 2025 tickets available ($350 for four-day access, $134 for single-day entry)
• Actively exploring booking options for 2026

This positive development comes amid widespread festival cancellations in 2024, with over 170 events cancelled or postponed globally. In Australia specifically, several major festivals including Splendour in the Grass, Vintage Vibes, and You & Me have been affected.

Despite industry challenges, live music continues to show resilience, with major artists like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Pearl Jam, and Keith Urban announcing new tours and expanded schedules.

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