Thousands of music fans could be left out of pocket after the sudden collapse of the long-running Bluesfest.
The iconic Australian festival has gone into liquidation just weeks before it was due to begin, with organisers saying it’s unlikely ticket holders will see refunds for more than $23 million in ticket sales.
Founder Peter Noble said poor ticket sales and rising production costs forced the difficult decision to cancel the Easter event.
Liquidator Jason Bettles has told ticketholders they can lodge a claim, but warned it’s unlikely money will be returned through the liquidation process.
Fans who paid between $700 and $2,000 for passes — and in some cases up to $15,000 for premium packages — are now being advised to try credit or debit card chargebacks through their banks.
The festival, held annually in Byron Bay, has been a fixture of Australia’s music scene for more than 36 years, hosting legends like Bob Dylan and James Brown.
Experts say the collapse reflects broader challenges facing major music festivals, as rising costs and changing listening habits — driven by streaming — shift audiences toward individual artists rather than multi-genre events.
Territory FM 
Serene