Bluesfest, Splendour, Vivid, take gongs at Australian Event Awards

Bluesfest Byron Bay had a double whammy this week – it had a win at the Australian Event Awards on the Sunshine Coast and was also welcomed into the NSW Tourism Hall of Fame.

Splendour In The Grass and Vivid also had taps on the winner’s podium on the night.

Bluesfest won the Best Cultural, Arts or Music Event category, trumping other finalists Vivid Sydney, Splendour In the Grass, Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and Adelaide Fringe.

Bluesfest previously won six awards at the awards including Event of the Year in 2010.

But Vivid Sydney and Splendour In The Grass had wins of their own.

Vivid Sydney, which drew about 2 million attendees, took out Best Tourism Event, leading minister for tourism and major events Adam Marshall to say, “NSW is without doubt Australia’s premier destination for major events and this award demonstrates that the NSW Government’s commitment to presenting a world class calendar of major events is paying dividends.

“Vivid Sydney is the cherry on the cake when it comes to the NSW events program and it’s become an unmissable experience for Sydneysiders and visitors alike as our capital city is transformed into a kaleidoscope of colour.”

Splendour in the Grass 2017 took out the Best Regional Event, which was a sell-out as usual and in the future could swell to 50,000.

Bluesfest was officially acknowledged into NSW’s Tourism Hall of Fame awards after winning Best Major Festival & Event for three consecutive years.

Festival director Peter Noble OAM said,  “The win was all the sweeter because we began 30 years ago as a grass roots music, arts and cultural festival and continue to champion the arts every day of our working lives.

“To be recognised for our achievements at both state and national level is something we're absolutely thrilled about. I

“I'm so proud of the Bluesfest team that make our festival happen each year and next year our 30th edition really is shaping up to be our best festival yet."

This week Bluesfest’s third artist announcement included Iggy Pop, Norah Jones, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Imelda May, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Archie Roach, Pierce Brothers, Backsliders, Fantastic Negrito, The Marcus King Band, Thando, Little Georgia, Benny Walker and Dallas Woods.