Long-running Outback music festival scrapped next year
The world's most remote music festival in far western Queensland has been cancelled for next year, organisers announced today.
The Big Red Bash, held in the Simpson Desert, about 1500km west of Brisbane, draws thousands of music fans to the outback town of Birdsville every year.
But the festival founder Greg Donovan said the logistically-demanding event needed to "take a breather" before it returns in 2026.
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The Big Red Bash, held in the Simpson Desert, will not be staged next year, organisers said. (Photo: Outback Music Festival Group) Supplied
"The spectacular desert location means we have no infrastructure on site – not even the basics of running water or electricity – so every year we effectively build and remove a mini city from scratch and spend six days looking after thousands of people," he said.
"It's a huge task, and one of the most logistically demanding events in the world to stage. Planning for the event is year-round, and most of our crew set aside a month to be on the ground from start to finish."
Donovan said organisers were long due a "break to reset and recharge".
Apart from a pandemic-enforced break in 2020, the music festival has staged since 2013.
The huge number of festivalgoers attending the Big Red Bash inject millions of dollars into the economy of far western Queensland.
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The Big Red Bash attracts thousands of music fans and injects millions of dollars into the local economy. (Photo: Outback Music Festival Group) Supplied
Diamantina Shire Council Mayor Francis Murray told the ABC its cancellation next year will have a major impact on Birdsville and other towns.
"It's going to be a very difficult tourist season next year," he said.
The news comes amid a difficult year for music festivals in Australia, with some famous ones pulling the plug permanently.
Last month the annual Byron Bay festival Bluesfest revealed next year's event would be its last.
Earlier this year, NSW festival Splendour in the Grass was cancelled just two weeks after it announced its 2024 line-up.
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