This year was supposed to be the final Bluesfest, and after 36 years of celebrating blues and roots music, the festival will no longer take its final bow. This edition promises to be a memorable one, with a lineup that reflects the rich history and diversity of the festival.

Known for its welcoming and inclusive environment, there are plenty of activities and entertainment for all ages, making it a perfect outing for families with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. 

The festival features a mix of legendary blues artists and emerging talents, and the festival grounds are filled with food stalls offering a variety of cuisines, as well as artisan markets showcasing local crafts. Campers are all set up, and punters from all over start making their way into the festival in the mid-afternoon.

We ride the coastal soul wave with Don West and his live brass band in celebration of their brand new self-titled EP. West brings a unique blend of classic nostalgia and modern sound delivered with passion and authenticity. His smooth vocals and charming personality shine through to create a warm and intimate vibe, connecting with the audience to leave a lasting impression at the Mojo stage.

Over at the Crossroads stage, we witness the amazing vocal talents of Budjerah. He tells us that he grew up not far from the Byron Events Farm festival site, so it’s a pretty special moment for him to play here today with his cousins by his side on stage.

He shares some important advice given to him from his father with us before a deeply personal song about his identity called My Name, “It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do, how much money you make or what clothes you’ve got on – never ever forget who you are and where you came from.”

Budjerah's soulful voice and charismatic stage presence immediately draw the audience in, and his ability to convey deep emotion through the natural storytelling in his music is evident in every song. He plays tracks including What Should I Do, Talk, and Ready For The Sky, plus a couple of unreleased songs from his upcoming album, including the bluesiest song called Sinner featuring some slick keyboards.

“We came all the way from Chicago to be here tonight. It’s all our dreams to bring this music to you,” says American artist Neal Francis. His energetic live performance is a mesmerising blend of vintage funk, soul, and contemporary flair. 

His band’s chemistry is undeniable and complements his performance perfectly with their tight, cohesive sound to create an atmosphere where everyone feels part of the experience. Francis’ musical mastery is incredible, and he shows off his exceptional piano skills with long instrumental funky jams with his band, highlighting his versatility and depth as an artist.

At the very young age of only fifteen, Taj Farrant is already taking the blues world by storm. His jaw-dropping guitar skills are nothing short of extraordinary, and his solos are both technically impressive and deeply expressive, leaving the audience in awe and proving that age is just a number when it comes to talent. 

Farrant’s performance is a powerful display of talent and potential, a testament to his growing reputation as a blues-rock sensation. His stage presence is confident, personal and engaging as he interacts with the crowd, sharing stories about his musical journey and inspirations. Each song is delivered with passion and precision, highlighting his versatility and musical depth.

Melody Angel is a rising blues-rock artist making waves with her soul-stirring sound and a magnetic stage presence. It’s her third time playing Bluesfest and she’s back for the last time at the Delta stage with some new and old music with her band, including her mum on lead guitar.

We get ready to dance and have fun as she gives a powerful and electrifying performance that showcases her immense talent, which is nothing short of spectacular. Angel’s guitar skills are truly exceptional and reminiscent of her idol Jimi Hendrix. Her voice is rich and expressive, perfectly complementing her guitar work, and she plays powerful solos with raw emotion to captivate the audience, and even includes her own rendition of a Hendrix track Hey Joe.

The evening continues with a career-defining performance for Tones And I as she emerges at the top of the Crossroads stage, she says, “It’s good to be home.”

Her performance looks a lot different to her early days of performing since she was last here; this time around, she’s pulling out all stops, complete with an entourage of dancers and eye-catching visuals to deliver an explosive pop-powerhouse performance. 

“I entered the Bluesfest Busking Competition, and I didn’t win it, but the top six people got to open Bluesfest in 2018,” she recalls. “This is my first time back to play any festival here. I spent all day showing my family everything, including where I used to busk and where I played my first show. 

“It’s so beautiful to be back, and this is the first song I ever wrote. I played it on the street here for a whole year,” she adds before bringing Johnny Run Away to the big stage as a headliner of the first day of the 2025 Bluesfest.

Tones And I gives her performance everything she’s got, full of raw emotion and energy to showcase her unique talent and her growth as an artist. Her vocal power and range are on full display, captivating the audience from the first note. She reveals it’s her last show for about eight months before going overseas to work on new music, and leaves us on a high with her two biggest tracks, Dance Monkey and Fly Away.

Ocean Alley bring their psychedelic surf-rock and infectious melodies to the Crossroads stage with a setlist featuring a mix of fan favourites like Confidence and Yellow Mellow, as well as some new tracks to delight fans. 

Lead vocalist Baden Donegal commands the stage with ease, engaging the audience with his smooth dance moves and charismatic presence. Their laid-back style is the perfect way to round out the night to drift off after a big first day. 

Bluesfest 2025 is shaping up to be an extraordinary event, marking another edition of this iconic festival and promising to be a memorable celebration of music, culture, and community. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the festival, there's something for everyone to enjoy.