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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Look, I don’t want to make anyone panic but IT’S DECEMBER!!! If you’re planning to give homemade gifts, you’re going to have to act fast. …
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🌻 The Paddington 🌻
This is a much-loved staple, created for Issue 50 in 2021. We love seeing the #PeppermintPaddingtonTop continually popping up in our feeds!
How stunning is our model Elon MelaninGoddessEfon – she told us it was one of the first times she had been asked to come to a shoot with her natural hair. 🌻
We worked with South African patternmaker Sarah Steenkamp of @FrenchNavyNow_ to create this wardrobe essential – the perfect puff-sleeve blouse. Raglan sleeves make it the ultimate beginner sew, plus the gorgeous back buttons let you add your own personal twist.
Pattern via the link in bio! 🪡
Photos: @KelleySheenan
Fabric: @Spoonflower
Model: MelaninGoddessEfon
“In the 1940’s, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of visual protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make, or distribute. As purveyors of traditional craft, we felt it appropriate to revisit this design.”
Crafters have often been at the heart of many protest movements, often serving as a powerful means of political expression. @NeedleAndSkein, a yarn store in Minnesota, are helping to mobilise the craftivists of the world with a ‘Melt The Ice’ knitting pattern created by @Yarn_Cult (with a crochet pattern too), as a way of peaceful protest.
The proceeds from the $5 pattern will go to local immigrant aid organisations – or you can donate without buying the pattern.
Raise those needles, folks – art and craft can change the world. 🧶
Link in bio for the pattern.
Images: @Gather_Fiber @NeedleAndSkein @a2ina2 @KyraGiggles Sandi.204 @WhatTracyMakes AllieKnitsAway Auntabwi2
#MeltTheIce #Craftivism #Knitting #CraftForChange
TWO WEEKS TO GO! 🤩
"The most important shift is moving from volume-led buying to value-led curation – choosing fewer, better products with strong ethics, considered production and meaningful stories. Retailers have real influence here: what you buy signals what you stand for. At Life Instyle, this means using the event to discover and invest in small-scale, planet-considerate brands that align with your values and your customer’s conscience. Consumers don’t need more things; they need better things, and retailers play a key role in selecting, contextualising, and championing why those products matter."
Only two more weeks until @Life_Instyle – Australia`s leading boutique retail trade show. If you own a store, don`t miss this event! Connect with designers, source exquisite – and mindful – products, and see firsthand why this is Australia’s go-to trade show for creatives and retailers alike. And it`s free! ✨️
Life Instyle – Sydney/Eora Country
14-17 February 2026
ICC, Darling Harbour
Photos: @Samsette
#LifeInstyle #SustainableShopping #SustainableShop #RetailTradeEvent
Calling all sewists! 📞
Have you made the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress yet? Call *1800 I NEED THIS NOW to get making!
This gorgeous green number was modelled (and made) by the fabulous Lisa of @Tricky.Pockets 🙌🏼
If you need a nudge, @ePrintOnline are offering Peppermint sewists a huge 🌟 30% off ALL A0 printing 🌟 when you purchase the Special Release Waratah Wrap Dress pattern – how generous is that?!
Head to the link in bio now 📞
*Not a real number in case that wasn`t clear 😂
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8 Things to Know About January 26 - from @ClothingTheGaps:
Before you celebrate, take the time to learn the truth. January 26 is not a day of unity it’s a Day of Mourning and Survival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It marks the beginning of invasion, dispossession, and ongoing colonial violence. It’s time for truth-telling, not whitewashed history.
Stand in solidarity. Learn. Reflect. Act.
✊🏽 Blog written by Yorta Yorta woman Taneshia Atkinson.
🔗 Link in bio of @ClothingTheGaps to read the full blog
#ChangeTheDate #InvasionDay #SurvivalDay #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #ClothingTheGaps
As the world careens towards AI seeping into our feeds, finds and even friend-zones, it`s becoming increasingly hard to ignore.
We just wanted to say that here at Peppermint, we are choosing to not print or publish AI-generated art, photos, words, videos or content.
Merriam-Webster’s human editors chose `slop` as the 2025 Word of the Year – they define it as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” The problem is, as AI increases in quality, it`s becoming more and more difficult to ascertain what`s real and what`s not.
Let`s be clear here, AI absolutely has its place in science, in climate modelling, in medical breakthroughs, in many places... but not in replacing the work of artists, writers and creatives.
Can we guarantee that everything we publish is AI-free? Honestly, not really. We know we are not using it to create content, but we are also relying on the artists, makers and contributors we work with, as well as our advertisers, to supply imagery, artwork or words created by humans. AI features are also creeping into programs and apps too, making it difficult to navigate. But we will do our best to avoid it and make a stand for the artists and creatives who have had their work stolen and used to train AI machines, and those who are now losing work as they are replaced by this energy-sapping, environment-destroying magic wand.
Could using it help our productivity and bottom line? Sure. And as a small business in a difficult landscape, that`s a hard one to turn down. We know other publishers who use AI to write stories, create recipes, produce photo shoots... but this one is important to us.
`Touch grass` was also a Merriam-Webster Word of the Year. We`ll happily stick with that as a theme, thanks very much. 🌿
