Former Rolling Stone magazine editors have called for former Bluesfest director Peter Noble to be stripped of a major music industry award following the collapse of the 2026 festival.

The comments were made to journalist Andrew McMillen, who has been shortlisted for a Walkley Award — Australian journalism’s highest honour — for his investigative reporting on Noble published in The Australian.

Former Rolling Stone Australia editor-in-chief Mathew Coyte said Noble should no longer hold the prestigious award presented to him in 2014 for his contribution to popular culture and the music industry.

“If I was in a position to rescind it, I would,” Coyte told The Australian.

Former editor Rod Yates also backed the call, saying the serious allegations and fallout surrounding Bluesfest painted a vastly different picture of Noble than existed when the award was granted.

The controversy follows the March cancellation of Bluesfest 2026 just weeks before the event, along with the liquidation of two Noble-linked companies owing more than $10 million to ticket holders and suppliers.

McMillen’s investigation, based on interviews with 21 former employees, alleged a toxic workplace culture at Bluesfest spanning more than two decades.

Noble has denied most allegations through his lawyer.

Photo: One of the series of stories published in The Australian that has led to journalist Andrew McMillen being nominated for a Walkley Award.