For many it is a 360 day countdown each year for one of the greatest congregations of international superstars mixed with the cream of domestic talent. For some it is the quality, for some it is the quantity, for others it is the variety. Whatever the motivation, Bluesfest is an opportunity to explore musical boundaries and to see history makers.
In previous years the Thursday is a bit of a warmup but today, possibly because of such a dense lineup, everyone made the most of it from start to finish. Grace Potter & the Nocturnals kicked off the Mojo stage with force which set the pace for the rest of the evening. Bluesfest institution Hat Fitz & Cara opened the Cavanbah to a packed tent. Wanda Jackson was surprisingly impressive putting the blues into Bluesfest. Meanwhile Shuggie Otis started slowly but let his fingers do the talking.
Bluesfest favourite Trombone Shorty returned for the third year in a row. He filled up and rocked out the main stage dropping in samples of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jackson 5 for flavour.
Counting Crows played one of the first of many deeply intense performances of the weekend. Their opening number, a mix of 'Round Here' and 'Raining In Baltimore' had the front rows in tears. At any other festival this would have been the set of the night, but even on day one, it would be a hard call to make given the richness offered across all stages this evening.
Jason Mraz started his set with a reggae vibe Byron Bay style. He dropped 'I'm Yours' mid set and had the crowd engaged through to the end.
Husband and wife combo Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks are masters of their craft and with their band they played another five star set ensuring that they will have another big turnout for tomorrow's show.
Rodriguez is the man of the moment and by all reports played a spectacular show. He dropped in a little 'Blue Suede Shoes' and some 'Like a Rolling Stone'. We will see what he has on offer tomorrow night. There was a huge lineup for his artist signing.
Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite went head to head against Chris Isaak and his band. Both audiences came away satisfied. Chris Isaak showed that he is a performer and not just a musician. At one stage he made his way into the crowd. Wanda Jackson made one of the first (hopefully of many) guest appearances when she joined Isaak (on stage). Meanwhile Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite continued the collaboration that began at this very festival. This was the first of two opportunities to enjoy a bit of Ben Harper, who is somewhat of a resident of Bluesfest.
Is it wrong to suggest that Frank Turner played the best set of the night? Frank and his band The Sleeping Souls played to a group of devotees who sung along to almost every word. He threw everything at it tonight and with any luck he will return in future years to play a few extra shows.
It was a massive start to what is quickly shaping up to be an epic long weekend. The reality is living up to expectations. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?
