<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Iconic and long-running Byron Bay </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australian-music-festivals-cancellations-rolling-loud/f6a3a93e-4aed-44ef-abf6-c6948a9b5537" rel="" target="_blank" title="music festival"><span>music festival</span></a><span> Bluesfest has been suddenly cancelled weeks before it was due to take place.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Festival organisers confirmed the festival will not go ahead in 2026 due to rising costs and the decline of the Australian live music scene.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"After 36 years as Australia's most awarded festival, we are deeply sorry to share that Bluesfest will not proceed in 2026," organisers said in a statement on social media.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/iran-war-australian-expats-in-dubai-why-they-are-staying-in-middle-east/dc1c1f5c-643e-451d-b5fa-bbf1d5383e30?utm_source=nine_lunch_wrap&amp;utm_medium=newsroom_newsletter&amp;utm_term=newsroom" rel="" target="_blank" title="Expats have been told fly home now. But Jess is staying in Dubai"><strong><span>Expats have been told fly home now. But Jess is staying in Dubai</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/uk-eta-rules-family-scotland-trip-ruined/6ea6d79b-6e43-4adc-9507-d2b80096cbdf" rel="" target="_blank" title="Jessica's family trip was ruined over a 'distressing' citizenship revelation"><strong><span>Jessica's family trip was ruined over a 'distressing' citizenship revelation</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This is an incredibly difficult decision, and we are so proud of everything Bluesfest has achieved: the music, the artists, the busking competition, our dedicated staff and volunteers, and the community that has grown around the festival over the past three decades."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Organisers blamed the rising cost of production, insurance, logistics and touring for the cancellation, adding that it is "no longer possible" to put on the event to the standard expected by ticketholders.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/bluesfest-cancelled-future-of-iconic-byron-bay-music-festival-in-doubt/570f30e5-2d2d-4c46-a59c-01e935db86b8" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A liquidator has been appointed to manage the festival's financial matters.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Ticket holders, including parking pass customers and campers, will be contacted directly with information about the claims process and any potential refund arrangements," the statement continued.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"To our fans, artists, partners and the Byron Bay community, thank you for 36 unforgettable years.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has been part of the Bluesfest journey."</span></div></div><div><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5), 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px auto;max-width:440px;padding:0;width:99.375%"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVzrgskD6Al/?hl=en"></a></blockquote></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/man-missing-from-water-near-houseboat-search-and-rescue-burnett-heads/78215943-eea7-43c2-af27-0bdf380811bf" target="_blank"><strong><span>Search underway for man who vanished off a houseboat amid Queensland floods</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The festival was set to run over the Easter long weekend from April 2-5 at Byron Events Farm in the coastal NSW town.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Around 100,000 fans attend the annual music event.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Split Enz, Parkway Drive, Sublime, The Pogues and Counting Crows were among the biggest acts due to perform at this year's festival.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye said it was "sad news" for the local community.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Obviously a huge economic loss but also such a big part of the fabric of our community," she told the ABC.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Anyone that's trying to arrange things that involve lots of international travel, with prices going up the way they are and the instability.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I can only imagine it would be very difficult."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>More to come.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here 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