{"id":231,"date":"2014-03-22T23:39:08","date_gmt":"2014-03-22T23:39:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/stories\/the-easter-dilemma-aussie-music-festivals\/"},"modified":"2022-08-08T23:19:19","modified_gmt":"2022-08-08T23:19:19","slug":"easter-music-festivals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/stories\/easter-music-festivals\/","title":{"rendered":"The Easter Dilemma: Aussie Music Festivals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every single year, fans of acoustic music are faced with a dilemma: where to spend the Easter long weekend? If you\u2019re a diehard fan of folk, acoustic and roots music, you\u2019re either at the Byron Bay<\/a> Bluesfest<\/a> or Canberra\u2019s<\/a> National Folk Festival<\/a>.<\/p>\n

So here’s everything you need to know about The Easter Dilemma.<\/p>\n

The Lineup<\/h2>\n

Bluesfest:<\/strong> Always guaranteed to pull in the big names, Bluesfest has outdone itself this year with headliners like Jack Johnson, Elvis Costello, John Mayer and The Doobie Brothers. There\u2019s also a strong Australian contingent with the John Butler Trio, Kasey Chambers, Kate Miller-Heidke and more. Bluesfest has strayed from being a pure blues and roots festival but who can argue when you have a lineup like that?<\/p>\n

The NFF:<\/strong>\u00a0Big names have never been the focus of The National. Instead they deliver quality artists at the top of their game while striving to preserve Australian and international folk culture for future generations. This year\u2019s lineup has its fair share of folk and acoustic heavyweights \u2013 Eleanor McEvoy, Jordie Lane, Kate Fagan, Bernard Carney and Trouble in the Kitchen. And if you haven\u2019t heard of half of those artists? Don\u2019t worry. The beauty of The National is that you can know no one in the program and come away from the weekend with a bucket load of new favourite bands.\u00a0There\u2019s even kids performers like the Ladybug Express at the KidzFest.<\/p>\n

The Venue<\/h2>\n

Bluesfest:<\/strong> In 2010 Bluesfest unveiled their custom built site at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, about 11 kms north of Byron. It features 6 stages, 4 bars and more facilities than you can throw a stick at. Bluesfest is notorious for being either hot and dusty or wet and muddy so come prepared for anything.<\/p>\n

The NFF:<\/strong> Since 1993 The National Folk Festival has made its home at Canberra\u2019s Exhibition Park (or EPIC). The park is custom built for major events (it also hosts the car festival Summernats) with a plethora of indoor stages, marquees, market stalls, children\u2019s areas, bars and more. It also has the famous \u201cSession Bar\u201d where artists and punters celebrate into the wee hours of the morning playing or listening to impromptu music.<\/p>\n

Accommodation<\/h2>\n

Bluesfest<\/strong>: If you\u2019re a fan of pitching a tent or rolling out a swag, then Bluesfest offers on-site camping at its Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm venue but for something more protected from the elements, there\u2019s plenty of accommodation options around Byron (with a free shuttle bus service to the festival). Try the Nomads Hostel<\/a> if you\u2019re on a budget, go mid range at the Lord Byron Resort<\/a> or go all out at the Beach Suites<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The NFF:<\/strong> The National offers powered and non-powered camp sites or pre-pitched tents but there\u2019s plenty of hotels around town. The Clifton Suites on Northbourne Avenue<\/a> are popular with Aussie travellers.<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Getting There<\/h2>\n

Bluesfest:<\/strong>\u00a0Getting into Byron usually means one thing: road trip! Thousands of people make the trip along the Pacific Highway each year. Given it\u2019s Easter, the roads will be busy with holiday goers. If you\u2019re not a huge fan of traffic, fly directly into Ballina airport (about 45mins from Byron).<\/p>\n

The NFF:<\/strong>\u00a0Canberra is also a road trip-worthy destination and the roads away from the coast won\u2019t be so busy. Canberra\u2019s airport also sees plenty of domestic flights each day.<\/p>\n

Crowds<\/h2>\n

Bluesfest:<\/strong>\u00a0I\u2019m not going to lie to you, the Bluesfest crowds are massive. Luckily the festival has learned to cater for the huge crowds so it\u2019s pretty easy to get around. Just arrive early if you want a good spot for a big name act.<\/p>\n

The NFF:<\/strong>\u00a0Although it probably gets more people through its gates than Bluesfest (thanks to a wealth of day tickets), The National just never seems as busy. The EPIC has massive venues but if a band gets a buzz going throughout the course of the weekend (most artists play about three or four shows), it can mean standing room only.
\n<\/p>\n

Atmosphere<\/h2>\n

Bluesfest:<\/strong>\u00a0With a predominantly younger audience (peppered with older blues fans who\u2019ve been coming for years), Bluesfest is packed full of energy and fun. People are there to soak up the music and fun and as a result Bluesfest is a really happy place to be.<\/p>\n

The NFF:<\/strong>\u00a0Catering more to families and older \u201cfolkies\u201d who are there every year, The National Folk Festival has a really relaxed vibe. Everyone is friendly, everyone is looking out for each other and as a result you can\u2019t help but walk around EPIC with a smile on your face. If you\u2019re not a fan of kids at festivals you might be in trouble, but otherwise it\u2019s a really nice way to spend Easter.<\/p>\n

So there you are. Hopefully I\u2019ve made your Easter decision just a little bit easier. Tickets for both festivals are selling fast so toss a coin or go with your gut sooner rather than later. And regardless which one you choose, you\u2019ll be guaranteed a weekend filled with some amazing music.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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