Bluesfest may be gone, but Byron’s stages are full

Bluesfest has dropped off the stage this Easter, but across Byron and the Northern Rivers, the music can’t be stopped.

Venues, promoters and locals have built a four-day program of live music and events running from Thursday April 2 to Sunday April 5.

Instead of one festival site, the weekend is spread across pubs, parks, theatres and clubs, with a mix of free shows, ticketed gigs and community events, alongside markets and family-friendly events running throughout the region.

 

 

Thursday April 2

The Northern Hotel begins a four-day program of live music across two stages, running through to Sunday. The free-entry lineup includes Jeff Martin, Paul A. George, Minnie Marks and the Mason Rack Band, alongside Ally Palmer, Chris Sheehy, Dan Hannaford Duo, Donny Shades Band, Eric Downer, Felicity Lawless Band, Harry Nichols Band, JB’s Blues Breakers, Jesse Witney, Kane Muir, Katie Palmer, Marshall Okell, Moebius, Pablo Laverde, Poly & Co, Roshani, Stomp’n Ramblers, The Swamps, Sunny Side Up, Trilla, Yazmindi Band and Z-STAR.

Hotel Brunswick hosts Skegss from 6pm, bringing a full mariachi band show featuring new material and reworked tracks.

The Sam Buckley Band opens the weekend at Byron Bay Golf Club from 5pm.

 

 

Friday April 3

Main Beach Park hosts Byron Eats Rabbits from midday to 10.30pm, a free community event running Friday and Saturday featuring DJs, live music and a mix of reggae, dub, house and drum and bass.

The Beach Hotel begins its Easter program, running across the long weekend with a full schedule of free live music headlined by Lisa Hunt and the Jerome Williams Band, alongside Late for Woodstock, Jam Hot, Roshani, Dan Hannaford Duo, Ben Catley, Nathan Kaye, Luke Pauley, Izaeah Marsh Duo and Erin Shay Duo. A ticketed Lost Baggage feat. WOLTERS show will run on Sunday night, with Dameeeela and DJ Ingrid also on the lineup.

At the Billinudgel Hotel, a two-day beer garden program runs from 12pm to 5pm, with Henry West, Mandy Hawkes, Dan Hannaford, Alby Damn and Jerome Williams performing on Friday.

Z-STAR performs a full Bluesfest set at the Top Pub in Mullumbimby from 7pm. Hotel Brunswick hosts The Dreggs.

Earlier in the day, the Byron Beachside Market runs from 8am at Main Beach, bringing together local makers, artists and producers in a traditional ‘make it, bake it, sew it and grow it’ format.

 

Saturday April 4

Saturday is the busiest day of the weekend, with events running from morning through to late night.

Byron Eats Rabbits returns to Main Beach Park for a second day, while the Billinudgel Hotel continues its afternoon program from 12pm to 5pm, with Matthew Armitage, Bonham, Stomp’n Ramblers, Lachlan Jacques and Versace Boys.

At the Byron Theatre, Backsliders perform at 7.30pm in a tribute show to drummer Rob Hirst, featuring Dom Turner, Joe Glover and guest musicians including Rosscoe Clark and Hamish Stuart.

Ocean Shores Country Club hosts Blues by the Ocean from 4pm to 9pm, featuring Roshani, Ben Catley and Birren, with limited capacity and a free shuttle service running from surrounding towns.

The MV Jasmine hosts a sold-out Brunswick Blues cruise from 11.30am to 2.30pm, a 64-capacity event created as a tribute to Bluesfest.

In town, the Byron Twilight Market runs from 5pm to 9pm at Railway Park, bringing together artists, designers, food stalls and live music in an evening market setting.

Hotel Brunswick hosts The Living End from 7pm, while The Northern Hotel and the Beach Hotel continue their live music programs into the night.