Music, Mud and Humanity: The Return of Bluesfest
- Words by Peppermint
After what felt almost like an eternity (1092 days to be exact), the iconic Byron Bay Bluesfest was resurrected this past Easter weekend showcasing some truly world-class musical talent and signalling somewhat of a return to normality for the music industry. But aside from the music (duh) and joyous humanity that shone perhaps even brighter than before, the festival was a beacon of hope, confirming why it’ll always hold a special place in our hearts.
Climate Action
It may be Bluesfest, but the festival (and koalas who call the site home) were all about keeping it green – from an inspired speech by Peter Garrett before Midnight Oil’s rousing climate anthem ‘Rising Seas’ to Green Music Australia’s ‘No Music On A Dead Planet’ tee worn by The Living End’s Scott Owen. While the presence of the 2019 #BYOBottle campaign was missed, the festival kept its focus on recycling initiatives, litter reduction and encouraging the use of shuttle buses to minimise carbon emissions.
Flood Relief
Flood relief was the real headline act on the lineup after February’s deluge devastated the region and recent flash flooding turned the site back into a quagmire. Community organisations, including Koori Mail, raised funds at stalls across the site, big screens shouted out messages of support and artists regularly acknowledged the tragedy.
In addition, director Peter Noble has pledged $1 from every ticket sold to go to flood relief raising over $100,000, while hundreds of flood heroes and victims were invited to attend the festival for free. “We wanted to give the flood survivors a joyous moment over the weekend,” Peter said. “People are hurt. People in this area are out of work. They rely on the trickle-down effect the festival provides.”
Sustainable Fashion
The return of large-scale, multi-day festivals also means the return of #FestivalFarshun in our feeds. But unlike those Stateside where Coachella meant the outfit du jour was a Y2K flashback, a muddy Bluesfest site saw gumboots a plenty and a slew of vintage stalls all offering a place to hunt for sustainable festival treasures. Bluesfest staple Spell returned with its customary space alongside fellow locals Wandering Folk, Nines Lives Bazaar and Lifeline Byron Bay.
Support for the Arts
While we acknowledge the pandemic still rages on, the return of events like Bluesfest doesn’t just signal a deep sigh of relief for live music lovers, it’s hugely symbolic for the industry as a whole. A return to work for not just the artists but for the roadies, sound technicians, security guards, stall holders, bar staff and tour managers – to name but a few. And after 2020’s cancellation and the NSW Government’s eleventh-hour decision in 2021, the festival is still reeling.
“It demonstrated a lack of understanding of the value of our industry and what we contribute, socially and financially,” Peter shared. “In 2019, we sold 105,000 tickets and generated an economic impact for NSW alone of $270 million. The festival created 1300 full-time equivalent jobs.”
While the festival took a massive hit, it was back at almost pre-pandemic numbers this year selling more than 101,000 tickets and employing 1200 workers, 350 stall holders and 400 volunteers. “This is what our industry does,” Peter said. “Don’t underestimate us.”
photos LACHLAN DOUGLAS
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“My piece of advice for makers and designers? Run your own race… make sure your key decisions stay anchored in your brand’s core beliefs.”
- Bec Bligh
Quick show of hands: who’s opened a water bottle expecting a refreshing sip… and instead been greeted by the unmistakable whiff of uh-oh?
Because for something that follows us everywhere (desk, car, hikes, yoga…), the humble drink bottle is strangely prone to becoming a science experiment. Hard-to-clean corners and gaskets. Mystery smells. Bec Bligh and her husband Tim know it well. A six-month sailing trip along the Queensland coast left them with a lifetime of memories and one stubborn annoyance: mouldy water bottles they couldn’t properly clean.
So they did something about it.
Enter @EverVessel. Thoughtfully designed borosilicate glass and stainless steel bottles that keep things beautifully simple: durable materials, wide openings, easy-to-clean parts and none of the techy gimmicks that tend to age badly. Turns out simplicity, done well, is pretty powerful stuff. (Their many design awards agree!)
And lately they’ve added a little extra delight: the Artist Series, where creatives like Paola Castro, Ben Miners and Martin Thompson transform these everyday companions into tiny travelling artworks. There are more colabs in the works, too: hydration, but make it joyful! 🎨💧
We chatted with Bec about the sailing trip that started it all, the philosophy behind Ever Vessel, and why the most sustainable product is often just the one you keep using.
Tap the link in our bio to read the full conversation. 🚰
#EverVessel #ReusableWaterBottle
Pull up a chair… there’s room at this table!
For the first time, Feast for Freedom is bringing people together for a spectacular long-table dinner as part of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival.
A Longer Table is exactly what it sounds like: one beautiful shared table inside the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (@Asrc1), piled with generous dishes inspired by this year’s hero cooks, Noha and Nige.
From 6 to 9pm on Wednesday, 25 March, this is what you can expect:
🍽 A three-course shared feast
🍷 Matched drinks
🎶 Live entertainment
✨ A room full of good humans
Your ticket doesn’t just buy you a delicious dinner. It supports the ASRC’s vital work and helps create a fairer future for people seeking asylum.
Seats are limited, and long tables have a way of filling up quickly – head to @MelbFoodAndWine’s website to book now: feastforfreedom.org.au/mfwf
#FeastForFreedom #MelbourneFoodAndWineFestival #LongTableDinner #FoodForChange
Sew versatile! 🪡
Another great make from Lisa from @SunnySewsEveryday:
My #PeppermintWaratahWrapDress is finished and I’m so proud of it. It has been designed not to flap open and flash your pants in the wind, so I feel confident it will be a great wheelchair or standing dress in English weather.
#PeppermintPatterns #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
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This DIY project was featured in Issue 53 and now you can access it for the lovely low price of only $5.
Sun-safe chic is always in style. ☀️
Find it via the link in our bio!
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#PeppermintPatterns #PeppermintBucketHat #BucketHat #BucketHatPattern #DIY
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The Peppermint Myrtle Shift Dress is a beginner-friendly make with a few special details based on the ever-stylish shift shape – the perfect dress you need in your wardrobe right now!
Myrtle cuts above the knee with options to customise the length. Don’t think she’s reserved for hot weather either: try a heavier-weight fabric to turn your Myrtle into a pinafore-style garment for layering.
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Link in bio 🪡
Fabric: @Karmme_Apparel
Sewist: @Laura_The_Maker
Photos: @KelleySheenan
Models: @SerahSews and @Pins_And_Tonic
Location: @ShareTheDignityAustralia
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It’s time to Feast!
Some recipes travel a long way before they land on your table to delight your taste buds. This year’s Feast for Freedom invites us to gather our friends, cook something delectable and raise funds for the incredible work of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (@Asrc1) while we’re at it.
The 2026 Feast features recipes shared by two remarkable cooks: Noha, who brought the flavours of Palestine with her when she arrived in Australia, and Nige, a Sri-Lankan Tamil cook whose journey with food began in the most unexpected of places.
You can host your own Feast up until 30 April – simply register online and get planning! Host a dinner, organise a workplace lunch, or gather your community… However you do it, the idea is simple: cook, connect and celebrate the cultures and stories that shape Australia.
Want to find out more? Head to the link in bio to meet Noha and Nige, learn more about their stories, and discover a delicious recipe to try.
#FeastForFreedom #PeppermintMagazine #FoodForGood #ASRC
