“I've long supported Indigenous Australian arts, music and land rights,” says Noble, who helped establish the Aboriginal Arts Agency in Sydney, “so I am extremely proud to see this wonderful fruition of all our efforts to date as an expression of reconciliation following 'the nation's official apology' to our Indigenous peoples.” In partnership with Events NSW, the festival is officially recognising the Arakwai people and Bunjulung Nation who originally occupied the Byron Shire and involving them in the running of the festival.

Though the stage is officially to be titled the InDIG stage, the Arakwai Aboriginal Corporation blessed the stage with the name Bumbaline, an important ancestor of the Bunjulung people. The artists announced to play this year at the InDIG stage are Skinnyfish artists Saltwater Band featuring the incredible Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu;Says Events NSW Chief Executive Geoff Parmenter, “I can't think of any better way to commemorate Bluesfest's 20th year than by helping to establish a new stage that will acknowledge and showcase our Indigenous heritage." Full Story Rhythms Magazine