Overview
- Organisers confirmed the April 2–5 festival will not proceed, citing rising production, insurance and touring costs, softer ticket demand and international uncertainties.
- Bluesfest Enterprises entered voluntary liquidation with Worrells’ Jason Bettles appointed as liquidator, as reflected in the official statement and ASIC filings on March 13.
- The liquidator advised ticketholders to lodge creditor claims and said refunds from the liquidation are unlikely, noting some purchasers may pursue credit card chargebacks.
- Reports indicate more than $23 million is owed to ticket buyers, with additional debts to payment platforms and suppliers being assessed.
- The NSW government says it will seek to recover a $500,000 grant as artists, vendors and the Byron Bay community confront the loss of a festival that organisers say generated about $230 million across NSW in 2025.