Page 51 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2013

The Mullum Music Festival
Magic Bus Photo by GreyRose

party atmosphere with
a chance to chat
and dine with your
favorite musos (i.e.
music freaks). Running
out from a small
seaside village called
Queenscliff in Victoria,
it is becoming a local
favorite.
Northern New
South Wales, on the
other hand, is the home
of Bluesfest. The festival
The Jambalaya Tent, one of seven stages at Bluesfest Photo by GreyRose is held just outside the picturesque surf town of Byron Bay where
a dedicated festival site comes to life with tent cities and camping
jam and cream that melt in your mouth. Carts with brave, knife- for five days over the long Easter weekend. There is always a
wielding vendors, slicing, peeling and stabbing coconuts are laid back courtesy and unspoken rules to the festival that make all
becoming a standard as the health benefits of this simple fruit ages welcome. The line-up over the years has featured some of
sweep the world. Sample all you like, experience the differences the most legendary musical artists. The town is on a sheltered bay
and enjoy your time. where the pristine white sands, azure waters and green rolling
Festival streets transform into carnivals to welcome the hills have a very moderate climate with an average temperature
night. Giant balloons sounding like fire-breathing dragons of around 12-25 degrees all year round (Celcius that is – we
are metric down here). The crowd here is electric when the big
swoop and dive among the crowds. Lantern parades of artists appear on stage and the artists rarely disappoint. One
smiling figurines playing oversized musical instruments led year Buddy Guy walked out into the crowd and around the tent
by colorful, energetic samba drummers, excite the crowd. playing guitar and handing out guitar picks – a prized possession
for a fan. Like Moses parting the seas, the crowds separated and
Given the size of Australia, there is a difference between tales were retold for days of their encounters.
the styles and the states. The South, Victoria in particular, has
produced some of our best blues artists of international renown. Editor’s Note: The Blues Festival Guide is organizing a
Ian Collard and Fiona Boyes are examples with Fiona becoming group from the U.S. and Canada to go to the Byron Bay
the first female, non-American to win the International Blues Bluesfest next Easter! If you are interested in getting
Challenge in Memphis. Both these artists have performed on the
Blues Train – a four-carriage steam train that provides food and more information on how you can join us, contact our
drink and a blues band or musician in each car. It’s a great home office 775-337-8344, info@BluesFestivalGuide.com

January: march: may:
Thredbo Blues Festival Forth Valley Blues Festival Blues on Broadbeach
Thredbo, New South Wales (NSW) Forth, Tasmania Broadbeach, Gold Coast,
Queensland
February: Blue Mountains Blues & Cairns Blues Festival
Roots Music Festival
Australian Blues Music Festival Katoomba, Blue Mountains, Cairns, Queensland
Goulburn, New South Wales New South Wales
Bruthen Blues & Arts October:
Bruthen, Victoria april: Great Southern Blues Festival
For more australian blues Festivals, Byron Bay BluesFest Narooma, NSW South Coast
visit www.bluesFestivalguide.com Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Sydney Blues & Roots Festival
and search by country. 11 km No. of Byron Bay, NSW Windsor, New South Wales

Blues Festival Guide 2013 49