And just like that we'd once again come to the end of the Byron Bay Bluesfest. As the event's fifth day, it's fair to say that by now we were both exhausted and used to the exciting lifestyle that the festival offers. It's never an easy event to say goodbye to, especially after a year that housed one of its best lineups ever, and was without a doubt the best Bluesfest we've ever attended. Although my sore, sore feet beg to differ.

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2013 closes out Day 5 with another stellar lineup that includes Ben Howard, Royal Southern Brotherhood, Bonnie Raitt (pictured above), The Music Maker Blues Revue, Xavier Rudd, Paul Simon, The Lumineers, Melbourne Ska Orchestra and The Bamboos.

The final day of Byron Bay Bluesfest 2013 starts with Kim Churchill, Newton Faulkner, Current Swell, Allen Stone, Kitty Daisy & Lewis (pictured above) and Zac Brown Band. Photos by Johnny Au

Day Four of Bluesfest, on Easter Sunday, kicked off with a bang with an explosive performance by Mason Rock Band as they delivered raucous Aussie blues rock. Featuring an intense mix of percussion, double bass, guitars and boisterous vocals, the band played to a packed out tent filled with enthusiastic listeners. Bringing out a whole lot of cheek, these guys put on a stomping, all Aussie show.

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2013 Day 4 photo gallery continues with acts such as Bettye Lavette, Rufus Wainwright, The Lumineers, Fat Freddy's Drop and The Cat Empire (pictured above). Photos by Johnny Au

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2013 Day 4 photo gallery starts off with artists such as Grey Ghost, Allen Toussaint, Saskwatch, Jon Anderson and Roger Hodgson (pictured above). Photos by Johnny Au

The third day of the festival was full of a pile of treats, and one of the biggest names in the history of music headlining the day - the one and only Robert Plant (pictured - photo by Johnny Au). The high energy reggae grooves of Soja - one of the biggest bands of the genre from the USA - were playing as we entered the venue, with "Not Done Yet" proving a highlight.

The AU Review's photo coverage of Byron Bay Bluesfest 2013 continues with performances by Playing For Change, Status Quo, Beasts Of Bourbon, Ruthie Foster, The Blind Boys Of Alabama, Dropkick Murphys, Robert Plant And The Sensational Space Shifters (pictured above) and Iggy & The Stooges. Photos by Johnny Au.

Following up on what was a huge opening night for Byron Bay’s Bluesfest, Day Two’s program offered another fantastic line-up. Jumping between a variety of folk, blues, rock and soul acts whilst trying to avoid the downpours of rain across the night, Thursday was certainly an eventful day for the festival. From quality local acts including the lovely Skipping Girl Vinegar to special international Bluesfest regulars such as Ben Harper, the program presented us with endless opportunities to enjoy a superb array of musicians.

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2013 Day 3 photo gallery includes artists such as Leah Flanagan, Lil Fi & The Dirty Rascals, Soja, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals (pictured above), Thelma Plum, Sweet Honey In The Rock, Mark Seymour & The Undertow and Wilco. Photos by Johnny Au.

Part 2 of Byron Bay Bluesfest 2013 Day 2 photo gallery continues with Shuggie Otis, The Snowdroppers, Santana (pictured above), Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and Manu Chao La Ventura. Photos by Johnny Au

Showing that the older rockers still have what it takes to pull a crowd (not to mention put on a show), Iggy and the Stooges and Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters played a string of their greatest hits - alongside some newer material - as they fought for the sold out Bluesfest crowd's attention as they closed out the festival's two biggest stages on the festival's third night; now in its 24th year.

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2013 continues on Good Friday with an eclectic lineup that includes Wards Xpress, Skipping Girl Vinegar, Taj Mahal Trio, Jake Shimabukuro, Glen Hansard & The Frames (pictured), Shawn Colvin, Jimmy Cliff and Joan Armatrading. Pictures by Johnny Au

Arriving a couple of hours after the music had kicked off (as it seems to be customary for our annual Bluesfest experience here at the AU), Counting Crows (pictured above) kicked things off for our 2013 Bluesfest experience in the beautiful surrounds of the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm in Byron Bay, now in its 24th year.

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2013 kicked off in style with a great first night lineup which included Counting Crows, The Robert Cray Band, Rodriguez, Jason Mraz, Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite and Chris Isaak (pictured).
Photos by Johnny Au