Anthony Albanese reveals real reason behind Bluesfest boos

When Anthony Albanese appeared on stage at Bluesfest, he didn’t get the reaction he had been hoping for. Now, he has revealed what he believes went wrong.

Anthony Albanese has been making headlines daily during the election campaign, but there was one incident where he didn’t anticipate becoming the centre of attention.

Now, the Labor leader has given an insight into what he believes went wrong when he appeared on stage during Bluesfest in Byron Bay on Sunday night, where he failed to receive the reaction he had been hoping for.

Accompanied by partner Jodie Haydon and senior frontbencher Tony Burke, Albanese had initially received a warm welcome at the iconic music festival, greeted with chants of “Albo, Albo”.

But when he appeared on stage before a performance by rock legend Jimmy Barnes many in the crowd turned on him, with videos from the scene showing members of the audience giving him the thumbs down along with deafening boos and jeers.

And now, in an interview with The Daily Telegraph, he has revealed what he believes sparked the fury.

Albanese said the booing began before he even appeared on stage, when the MC mentioned the words “federal election”.

He conceded that the crowd was there to see Barnes perform and not to hear about politics.

However, he insisted: “I was really well received around the people I talked with and engaged with”.

Albanese also said he had received a massage of support from the singer after the event.

Anthony Albanese got a friendly reception from the crowd when he first arrived at Bluesfest, not so friendly when he went on stage (until Jimmy Barnes appeared. I’ll tweet that video next!) #auspol@9NewsAUS#AusVotes2022pic.twitter.com/9G7M7SwaVo

— Fiona Willan (@Fi_Willan) April 17, 2022

A -mixed- response for Anthony Albanese on stage at Bluesfest tonight, introducing Jimmy Barnes. @politicsabcpic.twitter.com/YgSEjEncu9

— Tom Lowrey (@tomlowrey) April 17, 2022

Talking more boradly about the election campaign, he said he was “tough”.

“A lot of people have underestimated me,” he said.

“I’ve fought for everything I’ve got and I expect to fight for the job of prime minister. I expect to have to fight for it and argue my case strongly.”

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Anthony Albanese introduced Jimmy Barnes on stage. Picture: Toby Zerna

It comes as Albanese took a battering on his personal approval rating in the latest Newspoll. Published in The Australian newspaper, it found the net satisfaction with Albanese’s performance has fallen to a record low of minus 14 per cent.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese reveals real reason behind Bluesfest boos