Michael Franti

"I play at festivals all over the world and Bluesfest is one of the most amazing on the planet!

What makes it great are the world class acts, family friendly atmosphere and the fact that the site and infrastructure of the festival are run with a spirit of grace and efficiency that means that everyone in attendance from the fans, to the bands, to the volunteers all go away with a smile on their face with anticipation of next years event."

I sincerely hope that everyone in the community recognizes the gift that they bring the world each year through supporting, blues, jazz, indigenous, traditional roots and pop music from around the globe. Many acts depend on the opportunity they have to play the festival in order to keep their music and art alive. The festival and it's newly planned "one day events" are truly something that not only Byron Shire, but the entire nation of Australia can be proud of preserving for generations to come.  

So sign on to preserve music in Byron Shire!" Michael Franti

Ben Harper

"The internationally renowned Byron Bay Blues Festival is in a class by itself.

Unlike any other festival any place else in the world it cultivates new and undiscovered talent seamlessly along side the most important musical artists of our times.

It is a destination festival beloved by all who attend, fans and artists alike. The Byron Bay Blues Festival represents Byron Shire, and Australia with a prominence and a significant cultural importance that would be severely compromised if forced into this unnecessary regression.

This kind of thing is not supposed to happen in Australia,
other places perhaps but not there. You have something so special, please do not diminish it in this way."
Ben Harper

John Butler

"I am writing to express my concern over the proposed Byron Shire Council Music Event policy which sees to limit two concerts or festivals a year to the area.

Obviously Bluesfest and Splendour are the first to come to mind and if they were both within the Byron residential precinct , like they both used to be, I might appreciate the validity of this policy, however with the Bluesfest site now being out of this area, I do not see the problem for more shows to occur at this site.

The new site has relieved traffic and a myriad of other problems within the Byron Shire and it's infrastructure.

I also see these cultural events bringing the obvious benefit of artistic diversity and inspiration to the
people of the Northern Rivers region and extra revenue
to the local businesses with the Byron area."
John Butler

Kasey Chambers

"Peter Noble and the Byron Bay Blues and Roots Festival have been such an important part of my musical world over the years and I can honestly say I would not have the career that I have without their support.

Peter has made such a big difference in Australian music in general and has also helped launch the careers of many young local artists too. I wholeheartedly support Peter Noble in his passionate vision for music.

The Australian Arts and Music Industry is a much better place
with him in it!" Kasey Chambers

The Cat Empire

It it with concern that we write to express our opinion on the proposed Byron Music Event policy which seeks a limit of two concerts or festivals per year to the Byron Bay area.

As a band we have performed in the Byron Region for over 10 years. Byron Bay has not only been incredibly receptive to our music, but has also contributed greatly to the spirit, lyrics and values of our band. We recorded our debut album at a Macadamia farm outside of Byron Bay in 2002. It went on to sell triple platinum, and pave the way for our international career.

So, to say we have a great affinity and heart for Byron Bay is an understatement. Without the influence and support of Byron Bay, the band would simply not exist in the form it does today.

Central to this, has been our performances over the years at the likes of Bluesfest, Splendour in The Grass, and local venues. These flagship festivals are critical to the development of Australian talent. They are as good as any of the best festivals in the world, and are events we should seek to protect as part of our cultural landscape; delivering artistic diversity and cultural exposure to the people of the region, attracting additional visitation to the area, and income to local businesses.

Although we do not claim to be experts on the politics of this discussion, from our understanding, the new Blues Festival site has relieved traffic and a myriad of other problems within The Byron Shire, decreasing the pressure on the Byron infrastructure.

It is our hope that a conversation can be continued which
seeks to find the necessary compromises which enable these important and inspiring events to continue and flourish,
and Byron Bay to be protected as it should be.
Sincerely, the Cat Empire

Peter Noble, Festival Director

A note from Peter Noble, Festival Director

Thanks everyone for your incredible support so far.

We only need a little over 500 signatures to get the petition debated on the floor of the State parliament – we have almost 9,500 individual petitions lodged so far, and need 10,000 to get this crucial thing done.

Now that the Splendour site in Byron shire has been given an approval to hold 3 major events on their land by the NSW state government – the festival quota in Byron shire under the Events Policy of 2 festival yearly is taken up - and IF the council do not amend their policy,

We would need to move away from Byron shire once our current approval expires in 2020. THIS IS NOT RIGHT!

If you love music, presented properly and responsibly - please visit our website and add your protest to the petition to support us in getting to our goal of 10,000 signatures. Peace.

HAVE YOUR SAY AGAINST THE BYRON COUNCIL EVENTS POLICY

This policy singles out music as the ONLY form of event to be banned in the Byron Shire.

It is discriminatory toward music lovers - after all the policy allows sporting events, food & wine festivals, writers festivals, film festivals, cane toad race festivals, religious events - IN FACT - EVERY type of event EXCEPT music.

It denies people who love music the opportunity to experience it in the Byron Shire. It only allows 2 events per year, where audiences of 6,000 or more attend. We do not want this to be a burden on our neighbours and this community and are NOT advocating more than a couple of one day concerts yearly and an Indigenous Music Festival at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, as well as Bluesfest.

WE DON'T THINK THIS IS UNREASONABLE!

We have attempted to work closely with Byron Shire Council to allow us to present other events responsibly on our site - and support other responsible music events throughout our shire. They are not listening. So we need your support to make this possible.

IF YOU:

• LOVE LIVE MUSIC
• OPPOSE THE BYRON EVENTS POLICY AS IT DISCRIMINATES AGAINST MUSIC EVENTS
• WISH TO SEE A MORE LIBERAL POLICY

Then please fill in the petition by clicking on the button below.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts
for your support.

Please act now - and we will send your protest on to Byron Shire Council Peter Noble & your Bluesfest Team