All the most memorable acts from Byron Bay Bluesfest over the years
Another iconic Australian music festival is being slashed from the annual lineup.
On Wednesday morning AEDT it was announced Byron Bay Bluesfest will come to an end for good after next year's 2025 festival.
The legendary Aussie festival will wrap up after 35 years of music played over the Easter long weekend.
Over its three-decades long run, Bluesfest has hosted many incredible acts in Byron Bay – both homegrown and from overseas.
From beloved Aussie rocker Jimmy Barnes to the American icon Bob Dylan, Bluesfest has delivered some performances we'll never forget.
Read on to take a look down memory lane and see some of the best acts to take the Bluesfest stage over the years.
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Around 100,000 people made an annual pilgrimmage since 1990 to see some of th world's biggest acts descend on Byron Bay's small coastal community.
But sometimes the huge stars on the line-up don't exactly live up to expectations...
Bob Dylan
Nobel Prize-winning singer-songwriter Bob Dylan is arguably one of the most famous acts from Byron Bay's Bluesfest over the festival's nearly four-decade history.
The Blowin' In The Wind singer, 83, took to the stage in 2011 – but his appearance came with a catch.
The folk singer's performance at Bluesfest did not land well with some punters.
"If you're not going to allow your crowd to see you at this stage in your career, why play?" Blues singer Jennifer Hillhouse told the SMH.
"If he doesn't want to give you everything, why be here?"
Dylan is notorious for his strong desire for privacy and this was on full display even as he stood on stage at the 22nd Annual Bluesfest.
"From what I know he's very private. You just keep a distance. It's not something that's enforced but as a professional that's something you adhere to," an unnamed woman who worked with Dylan told AAP.
"He goes from his Winnebago to the stage and back."
Bob Dylan
Dylan had no interest in being interviewed ahead of his headlining act, he didn't want to be photographed and he was not keen on his face being projected on the screens during his performance.
That's right, only fans right at the front of the stage could see Dylan's face up close as the crooner sang his hits at Bluesfest 13 years ago.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, who had a writer at the event, the crowd was also confused as Dylan left the stage after 90 minutes without saying goodbye or singing some of his most famous hits.
Kendrick Lamar
Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper and performer Kendrick Lamar was the biggest drawcard at the 2016 Bluesfest.
One of the world's most famous rappers, Lamar attracted hundreds of teenage fans to the event in Byron Bay during his set.
When his name was added to the line-up, however, some die-hard Bluesfest ticketholders had a bit of a problem with Lamar being included.
City & Colour singer Dallas Green, who also performed in 2016, defended the rapper from angry blues fans, telling Music.com.au: "Oh, he's very blues. I think people have to realise that everything is the blues. Everything came from the blues. It's just interpreted different ways.
"If you can't see that Kendrick Lamar is a blues artist, who just happens to be rapping, then you don't know what you're talking about, so. That's my opinion."
BB King
Before his death in 2015, Blues icon BB King also performed alongside a slew of big names during Bluesfest at the 2011 event.
Elvis Costello
The same year Dylan performed at Bluesfest, he was joined by UK singer Elvis Costello, who entertained fans with an incredible set at the festival in 2011.
Hozier
Irish musician Hozier, perhaps known best for his iconic hit Take Me to Church, was one of the headlining acts at Bluesfest in 2015.
He's one of the most famous hitmakers to grace Byron Bay's stunning coast for the once-annual festival.
John Mayer
American singer John Mayer performed for fans at the 2014 Byron Bay Bluesfest.
