West Coast Blues ‘N’ Roots taking year off to rebrand

The West Coast Blues ‘N’ Roots festival is taking a year off next year – to return in April 2017 as the rebranded Freo’s Blues Roots & Beyond with a new home in Fremantle.

In a statement from promoters, “Our much beloved WCBR has undergone some what of a makeover; new concepts, a new space, with a brand new name to match.

“Freo’s Blues, Roots & Beyond encompasses all that was great about WCBR while growing the event and introducing some exciting new changes that we think you will love!

“After our humble beginnings in Kings Park bringing blues to the people we have decided to take our brand new festival model and make the move into Freo.”

The year off is needed to coordinate with inner city and arts communities to provide “a truly exciting and innovative festival experience.”

Like most major Australian festivals, a large percentage of WCBR’s 20,000-strong audience comes from outside Fremantle. Hence, the festival will further focus on its role as a tourist draw.

Promoters said, “Passouts will be introduced, allowing the festival to filter out into the surrounding streets, music venues and hospitality spaces which will be programmed with festival talent, allowing you to come and go as you please exploring Freo’s vibrant centre.”

Mayor Dr. Brad Pettitt added, “The City of Fremantle looks forward to the evolution of this much loved event and the new festival model that encourages stronger connections with Freo and all it has to offer by providing concert goers with pass outs.”

WCBR was founded by Sunset Events as a two-day event in 2004 called the Sunset Live’s Botanic Blues, Roots and Soul held at Kings Park.

It changed its name a year later and moved to Esplanade Park.

The move to Fremantle Park was in 2010, with crowds doubling to 20,000 as a result. It widened the diversity of its bill, and shared major acts with the East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival in Byron Bay.