It’s a different Easter in Byron this year. What would normally be a weekend filled with Bluesfest excitement, anticipation and thousands of music lovers arriving in town has taken a different turn. But in true Byron Shire style, when something unexpected happens, the community comes together - and this Easter weekend, the music is still very much alive.

Across the Byron Shire, venues, pubs and clubs are stepping up to host an incredible lineup of artists, many of whom were originally scheduled to perform at Bluesfest. Instead of one big festival site, the music will be spread across the region - from Brunswick Heads to Billinudgel, Byron Bay to Eltham - creating a weekend of live music across multiple local venues.

Hotel Brunswick is hosting a huge lineup featuring The Wailers, Skegss, The Dreggs and The Living End, while Hussy Hicks will return home for a free hometown show at the Eltham Hotel. The Billinudgel Hotel will host a full weekend of free live music as part of a Busking Festival, and The Northern Byron Bay has announced “Blues at The Northern”, a completely free four-day program across Easter featuring Jeff Martin (The Tea Party), Paul A. George (Tijuana Cartel) and a strong local lineup.

Elsewhere across the Shire, Taj Farrant will play a free show at the Byron Bay Bowlo, and Backsliders will perform at Byron Theatre, with many more pop-up shows and gigs expected to be announced throughout the weekend.

While it may not be Bluesfest as we know it, there is something special about what is unfolding - a community-driven music weekend spread across local venues, bringing artists and audiences together in a different way. Local pubs, venues, musicians and music lovers are all stepping up to make sure the Easter weekend still feels like Easter in Byron.

If anything, this year may be less about one big stage and more about the venues, the locals, the visitors who still made the trip and the shared understanding that live music is part of the identity of this place.

This Easter, the festival may be gone, but the music is still playing across Byron.

And in many ways, that’s exactly what this town does best.

The Music Goes On in Byron This Easter Weekend

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