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A report commissioned by the organisers of Byron Bay's Bluesfest estimates this year's event contributed more than $230 million to the NSW economy.
With the 2025 line-up announced as the event's last, the report paints a picture of what the region could lose.
Conducted by Queensland-based company Lawrence Consulting, it shows the 2024 festival generated $235.1 million in total economic output across New South Wales.
Australian artist Baker Boy played to a packed tent at Bluesfest 2019. (Supplied: Dave Kan)
Author Reuben Lawrence said that figure took into account what happened beyond the confines of the festival site at Tyagarah near Byron Bay.
"We're [also] talking about how much people spend outside of the festival," he said.
"It's a catalyst for people to spend more time holidaying in NSW, and we capture that too."
Flow-on effect
The report found the festival generated $42 million for the Byron Shire and $83 million across the Northern Rivers region, providing work for 748 full-time employees.
Mr Lawrence said the findings were based on data generated by an extensive survey of spending habits completed by more than 1,300 patrons.
"We know that patrons spend about $425 a day in the local area, outside of what they spend at Bluesfest itself," he said.
The data showed the biggest winners across the Byron Shire were the arts, accommodation and food sectors.
Arts and recreation services saw $25 million spent over the festival period, more than a quarter of the total spend across the Byron Shire.
Bluesfest founder and executive chairman Peter Noble said the report's findings were "bittersweet".
"This is an amazing achievement not only for the Byron Shire but for the entire state, demonstrating just how significant Bluesfest is to our local and state economies, yet in 2024 Bluesfest lost money" he said.
Peter Noble says the report outlines the economic benefits of the festival to the Northern Rivers. (Supplied: Bluesfest)
Mr Noble said although at this point 2025 would be the last year for Bluesfest, "it doesn't have to be".
"Under current economic conditions, we simply cannot continue and that's why we have asked for NSW government support," he said.
"We’re not looking for a handout, we're looking for a hand up as our industry grapples with the cost-of-living crisis and other challenges."
Calls to save festival
An e-petition calling for a rescue package from the NSW government has about 6,000 signatures. (AAP: Jason O'Brien)
The event has taken place almost every Easter since 1990, but has faced a raft of challenges since COVID-19.
An e-petition calling on the NSW government to provide an eleventh-hour rescue package, started by local Greens MP Tamara Smith, currently has about 6,000 signatures.
The region has already suffered economic blows caused by the loss of events such as Splendour In The Grass and Falls Festival.
Across Australia, major events like Groovin The Moo, Spilt Milk and Harvest Rock will not be staged this year, while the Sunshine Coast Council recently cancelled the Caloundra Music Festival for good.