If you have not bought your tickets yet, you have to be super quick, as there are now only single day tickets left for Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The Saturday single day ticket is going to sell out very shortly, followed closely by the others!

"I humbly put it to you that we have achieved nothing short of a miraculous festival this year and the artists performing comprise what many in my industry have called with the best - or as good as the best - bill of artists performing on any one festival in the world currently."

Welcome to Bluesfest 2013.

I humbly put it to you that we have achieved nothing short of a miraculous festival this year and the artists performing comprise what many in my industry have called with the best - or as good as the best - bill of artists performing on any one festival in the world currently.

I have been privileged to see a number of them do their shows at our Timbre Rock 'N Roots festival in Singapore over the past weekend and can tell you - you are in for some mighty shows.

The Tedeschi Truck band are even better than last time they toured and Bonnie Raitt is just so wonderfully talented - Her band is amazing.

Robert Plant is going to rock you, I was surprised how this 'world' music band rocks so hard and the drum & bass renditions of Led Zep songs are mesmerising. I got to spend some quality time with him after his performance and we talked - guess what Blues - He is such a fan and a really nice guy as well.

Paul Simon does ALL his hits - and has a brilliant band - you really will be moved by him, the audience in Singapore just loved him.

Which brings me to Jimmy Cliff. All is can say is WOW - Jimmy Cliff's show is 100% hits - with a high energy non-stop dancing show - that shows why he IS the ruling King of Reggae.

It is one of the best shows I have been lucky enough to see - period. I found myself unable to leave for even a second and he even got ME dancing. His voice is undiminished and when he sang 'Many rivers to Cross' , I saw grown men cry in the audience. Miss his performance at your peril.

We have also included a couple of pictures of the standing ovations over the past few days for Rodriguez concert at the Hamer Hall in Melbourne and Joan Armatrading's three encore standing ovation at The Forum in Melbourne. She had special guests The E Street band attending her show. They know where to be. The reviews are ecstatic.

Rodriguez concert at the Hamer Hall in Melbourne

For first time festival goers - I would like to extend you a special welcome to our ever expanding club of music fans. Please remember this is a festival - so if you REALLY want to see certain artists performing - go to the stage early in order to see your favourite band.. and mark out your position with the regulars . If the artist is one of the big ones, you will need to do that many hours before the show in order to get a prime position.

We are launching our new festival - Boomerang - at Bluesfest and hope you decide to come back and see us on the October long weekend where we will move you with the sounds and sights of the indigenous people's of our world.

I have a special fondness for the Orangutans of Borneo (and Sumatra) - where I have been twice in the past year to see them and I even got to go up the Sekonyer River in a boat right out of the 'African Queen' in the rainforest to go to the legendary Camp Leakey a few months back and saw 31 Orangutans in the wild. This is still something you can do on the planet today - and should you do that - I believe you will, like me, become a devotee and dedicated to them being saved from extinction. There ARE a number of good things occurring in the restoration of habitat and with your involvement, we CAN save the Orangutan from extinction - please find out more.

Joan Armatrading at The Forum in Melbourne

We have the Orangutan Project attending Bluesfest this year as one of our charity stalls. Please take the time to go by and see them.

Other charity stalls I highly recommend are the Playing For Change stall and the Music Maker Organisation stall. Check them out.

Lastly I would like to thank EVERYONE who is working on this event - there are hundreds and hundreds of you - many of you will be fortunate to see more than a few moment of the performances occurring - such is your dedication.

We simply would not have an event without your professionalism, care and energy. It takes so many to make this event occur, and I humbly thank each and every one of you.

Thank you for coming to Bluesfest 2013 - your support has made my dreams come true , I truly believe I have the best job in the world and can't wait to start work on Bluesfest 2014 - our 25th anniversary year

With all my heart

Peter Noble - Bluesfest director - and Curator.

Traveling by Car

Travelling from both directions on the Pacific Highway, there will be Festival signs advising of the off ramp approaching. They are very hard to miss. Northbound traffic from Ballina will be directed off the highway at Gulgan Road / Mullumbimby exit and will be driving across the overpass into the Festival.

Southbound traffic will be directed to turn left at Grays and enter the site via Tanner Lane. Please note the Mullumbimby off ramp at Tyagarah will be closed to south bound highway traffic.

All you have to do is follow the signs and instructions by our traffic management staff to enjoy smooth sailing into the Festival.

Bus Services

The buses are a cheaper and more efficient option for you - please consider leaving the car behind and catching the Bluesfest bus!
Shuttle buses will be in full operation from Thurs 28th March at 2pm and run approximately every 20 minutes to and from the festival.
There will also be an extra service on Wednesday 27th March and Thursday morning for campers. For all the latest information on bus times & stops servicing Byron Bay, Lennox Head and Ballina areas, phone Blanchs on (02) 6686 2144 or visit www.blanchs.com.au

For information on bus time & stops servicing Mullumbimby / Bangalow / Brunswick Heads / Billinudgel / Ocean Shores phone (02) 6680 1566 or visit the Brunswick Valley Coaches website .

Parking

Free car parking available on site. Disabled parking is available for vehicles that have Gov parking permits. Please take note of speed limits and wildlife onsite!!! Drive Safely!.

Please DO NOT park in the local road network around the Tyagarah Tee Tree Farm, which is the Blues Festival site.

Council Parking Rangers will be on patrol throughout the weekend

Please do respect all the "No Stopping" signs.

Exit

Please respect the local residents, the environment and our town when leaving the festival.

Bring with you

Your ticket (e-ticket or normal ticket). If you have an e-ticket, make sure you bring the proper ticket. Your receipt that is emailed to you, is not the e-ticket. The e-ticket has to be downloaded through the members area of our website. Please log on to www.bluesfest.com.au , click on the members link and log on for your tickets.

• Photo I.D
• Enough cash to get you through the day (There will be 5 ATM's on site).
• Protection from the elements (hat, sunscreen, raincoat, something warm for when it gets dark, gumboots are a great idea when it has been raining)
• Mosquito Repellent

Leave at home

• Alcohol - it will be confiscated on entry to the Festival
• Illicit substances - Drug Detection Dogs will be present at the festival
• Glass
• IPAD's for recording
• Unsealed bottles
• Video or audio recorders
• Umbrellas
• Animals

Camping

If you are camping for Bluesfest you will be coming through the south gate. As a camper you will be wrist-banded for both Festival and Camping at the same time.

Reminder: If you are staying in a Tent Motel you will need to bring your own bedding (sheet/pillow/sleeping bag or blanket) with you. These will not be supplied.

General Store

The Bluesfest General Store with basic supplies is located in camp zone 4. Bluesfest Campers...Save yourself a trip to town, as everything from milk and bread to mosquito repellent (as well as a great coffee and delicious snacks ) will be supplied. Opening Hours: Wed 12pm-11pm Thurs to Mon 6:30am-6pm.

Wristbands

Treat it like gold! If lost, it's not replaceable. Your wristband is non-transferable and once removed will become invalid. Your wristband acts as your pass out.

Ages

We know all our patrons are young at heart; however, patrons under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 6 are free, and those between 6-14 years must have a child's ticket. Alcohol will only be sold to patrons 18 and over who can show valid 18+ photo ID.

Passouts

As Bluesfest is a 5 day event, you are welcome to come in and out of the festival. Your wristband acts as your pass out.

Bars

There are 4 bars and 1 VIP bar at Bluesfest serving a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. A bar ticket system will be operating. You will need to purchase drink tickets and exchange them for drinks at the bar.

Bluesfest promotes responsible consumption of alcohol. Please be aware to drink responsibly. Be wise and take a bus to and from the festival. Please respect the good order of the neighbourhood and minimise noise when coming to and leaving the festival.

Smoking areas

As a result of smoking laws in NSW, cigarettes will not be sold inside the festival and you must refrain from smoking inside the tents. Please dispose of your cigarette butts thoroughly in the bins provided

Info & safety

We have an information stall on site to help you with any questions you may have (you can also grab a copy of the program while you are there!) Check out the map for the Info stall location. Also check out the map for first aid tent locations. Our onsite safety hotline: 0402 690 004 this number is also printed on your wristband.

Food Stalls

This year the Blues will showcase over 35 food outlets offering a delicious range of fresh meals and snacks foods from South American to Portuguese, Middle Eastern or Indian, a good old Ozzie Burger, crepes or corn on the cob. Your taste buds will be satisfied wherever you go on this amazing festival site.

Market Stalls

The Jambalaya area will be the highlight for those with the shopping blues with over 50 market stalls displaying clothing and jewellery designs, hemp products, rainbow flags, artworks, bags, silk clothing, hats and many beautiful items from all over the world.  Keep an eye out for the original locally made designs.

Charity Stalls

We also have a number of charity stalls onsite - please dig deep to support them!

Disabilities

Should you need any assistance whilst onsite, make yourself known at the Volunteer HQ at the south entry gate, where you can have access to Bluesfest's disability services.

Recycling

In 2013 Bluesfest will continue our green campaign from 100% recyclable packaging used by stalls and suppliers, to the massive recycling production onsite, we are proud of our achievements and are always working on improving our recycling initiatives.

Bluesfest invites you to consider the environment and together we can decrease the volume of waste that ends up in landfill by using the effective bin systems throughout the site.

Ring pulls

Last year we noticed a significant amount of aluminium ring-pulls from beer cans discarded on the ground after the festival. Please do not detach ring pulls from your cans.

Most people live with a domestic recycling program in their home town. The same ideals and principles apply to the Bluesfest. A clean festival is a safe and fun festival!

Remember to "Green the Blues"!

Final message: Please ensure you bring mosquito repellent along. Our areas have issued a warning about mosquito borne viruses, so please take precautions. Bluesfest will be selling its own "home grown" Tea Tree Oil from the merchandise stall. It's perfect for minor cuts, abrasions, bites and stings, but do not forget to bring proper mossie repellent along.

Drink Responsibly

There are a total of 5 bars (including 1 VIP bar) at Bluesfest, serving a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. A bar ticket system will be operating. You will need to purchase drink tickets and exchange them for drinks at the bar.

Bluesfest promotes responsible consumption of alcohol.. Please be aware to drink responsibly. Be wise and take a bus to and from the festival. Please respect the good order of the neighbourhood and minimise noise when coming to and leaving the festival.

Merchandise

Grab your iconic Bluesfest merch between the hrs of 12pm - 12am. Shirts, caps and all the rest! Don't forget to purchase your 2014 presale tickets from here too!!

Smoking

NO SMOKING inside Festival tents. Please respect the comfort of others. Thank you for your co-operation.

Counting down the hours!

Your excited Bluesfest Team, who are always happy to take your call! Just phone 02 6685 8310!

Byron Bay Accommodation

If camping is not the thing for you but you would like to stay in the area then please check out Byron Bay Accom on www.byronbayaccom.net or call 02 6680 8666.

They STILL have a range of great accommodation available from B&B's, houses, motels, hotels and apartments.