The Byron Bay Bluesfest offers a veritable feast of music over the course of the Easter long weekend, but within its vast boundaries, there's plenty to keep you entertained away from the tunes, finds out Samuel J Fell.
Those of you who've patronised the Byron Bay Bluesfest will know how big it is — and how much bigger it seems to get each year. This week, it runs for the 29th time, the festival will boast some 200 performances across its stages over the course of five days. And of course, as has always been its MO, it's not just a blues festival — the music runs the gamut, painting Bluesfest as a true music lover's event, something for everyone, everyone finding something.
It's important to realise however that Bluesfest is a marathon, not a sprint. Aside from the sheer size of the site itself, we're talking five days. One must pace oneself. Give yourself time to traverse the site from stage to stage; don't drink too much beer on Thursday night, therefore hampering your Friday experience. Many of us have learnt the hard way over the years. We're older now though. Wiser.
Something else many have learnt as Bluesfest has gone from humble beginnings at the old Arts Factory, through its growth at Red Devil Park, Belongil Fields, and for the past eight years at its now permanent site at the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, is that it's about more than just the music. Within the festival boundaries is a cornucopia of things to see, do, eat, drink and immerse oneself in, coexisting alongside the plethora of sounds from all around.
It'd be remiss, first up, not to mention the opportunity to imbibe a brew or two. Numerous bars dot the site, all offering your standard festival fare — beer, wine, spirits in a can, soft drinks and water, along with the odd boutique creation like cider or craft beer. Bluesfest knows how to make this work too, and so you buy your tickets, then exchange them at the bar for your tipple of choice, which makes for short queues, or at least fast moving ones. Hot tip, you're going to have some beers anyway, so buy all your tickets at the start — you can take them back if you don't use them. Last year, the festival trialled a loadable chip on wristbands, where you could load up money and scan it to pay. Anything left over was then credited back to your account.
It's also worth noting the festival has a very strict alcohol policy, so bring your ID and don't be a dickhead, otherwise you will be ejected. The festival also provides, near each exit, free breath-testing which you'd be advised to take advantage of if you're driving and in any doubt as to how high your BAC might be.
Feeling the pinch after a couple of days doing it hard? Head over to the massage stall and book yourself in for some serious relaxation. Many festivals offer this experience these days, and it's now not uncommon to see people face down on tables and incorporating a bit of quiet into their festival time.
Bluesfest regularly showcases a number of instrument makers too, both local and from elsewhere around the country. Cigar-box guitars are a favourite these days, and there's usually ample opportunity to sit and chat with the artisans, have a strum, perhaps even pick up a four-stringed bargain.
As the festival has grown, so too has the opportunity to convert certain sections of the site into their own little communities. Beer gardens are now a regular feature, somewhere you can grab a drink with some mates, sit down in some shade, regroup and recoup as you plan the next leg of your epic musical journey. The fact there are far more places to actually sit, even if it's wet, is a big plus, and something worth its weight in gold.
Which brings us to perhaps the biggest part of the festival outside of the music itself — the food. Having attended every festival since 2003, I can say that I've not even come close to sampling all that's on offer, over 100 stalls showcasing each year. This is one of Bluesfest's strong points; the range of food stalls is truly staggering. There is absolutely something for everyone whether you're a carnivore, vegetarian, anything in between, want something healthy or something to clog an artery.
A selection: Govindas' is vego cuisine that's guaranteed to satisfy and fill you right up. Byron Pies, quality pies and sausage rolls a step above the rest. A hot tip here, drop by on the final day. Most years they've got a lot of stock left and you can usually pick up two pies for the price of one. And on the Monday, haggard from five days of music, you want two pies. Langos, Hungarian snap-fried bread, a personal favourite — a big, fried disc of bread with a stack of cheese and sauce on top. It's madness, but a taste like no other.
You'll also find Greek, Brazilian, Thai, Vietnamese, a whole host of foods from around the world, from humble hot beef rolls with gravy and chips to European desserts and the like. Speaking of which, one just doesn't go to Bluesfest without picking up at least five Byron Bay Organic Donuts. These things are out of control, the only downside being you will have to queue to get some as they're so damn delicious and popular.
There is, of course, more. Too many different dishes to list, which is almost as much fun as discovering new music — discovering new food. Food and music go hand in hand, and Bluesfest know this well. It's all part of the experience, as is everything that happens within these boundaries over the five days, making Bluesfest one of the best festivals in the world, hands down.
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