As the Jambalaya and Crossroads stages were not in operation yesterday, I figure I will need a programme plan today, since all five stages are open for music business.
I tap open my Bluesfest app and mull over my artist selections for Day 2 (15 April). Nathan Cavalleri, who I plan to see on Sunday, can be heard playing at the Juke Joint stage on entry.For now though, I am beelining to the coffee vendor to procure my first and overdue triple shot, barista-made caffeine hit of the day.
Bluesfest organisers are certainly playing with a fistful of aces today. All stages have top-shelf line-ups that could keep a crowd in front of them all day long. How is a gal without the superpower to be in five places at once supposed to choose between the stellar acts on offer today?! There will be tears.
I make tracks to the Crossroads stage for a shot of Garrett Kato to go with my cup of Joe, while LamBros, JK-47, Cavalleri, Hat Fitz & Cara go at it on the other stages, and Busking Comp entrants play on the Busking stage.
Round Mountain Girls (RMG) are my number two stop on at the Jambalaya stage. My face is beaming a smile as wide as the sky because this band is totally bonkers – in a great way!
Round Mountain Girls - image © Clea-marie Thorne
If there is a description that fits the conglomerate of music genres that holds their set list together, I've never read about it. This is like being at a psychobilly-gypsy-rock-folk hoedown.
These guys are careening onstage like possessed entities playing their songs on a myriad of instruments. I am certain I detect some artful improvisation occurring, maybe just for fun or to keep their followers on their toes – they've got me dancing on mine. Heck whatever you want to call this music, I love it!
While the possessed cavort, I am drawn to the amazing effervescence on stage emanating from RMG's latest member and only female (that I am aware of) in the band - Amity Brand, on fiddle.
She is fiddling hard, tearing up her stringed instrument with her bow with an infectious a smile made with her whole face. I feel like she will soon explode with laughter at any moment. Mind. She is doing all this on only one good leg! Bless her cotton socks. I have not seen such a joyous face playing any instrument on stage for I don’t know how long. Actually, maybe never.
The War & Treaty - image © Clea-marie Thorne
I'm then dashing off to feed my soul some of the hope bestowed by the feels and lyrics of The War & Treaty offerings. I don't mind if I do and I did.
With gospel feels in southern soul style songs and others giving off a bluesy, country-rock vibe, team Trotter and band have the audience in a rapture and we are so glad they returned this year.
Next up, I want me a little more fiddle (ok, mandolin) accompanied by ukulele, accordion, banjo and guitar played by the talented and vocally harmonious All My Exes Live in Texas.
All Our Exes Live In Texas - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Adding their own recipe for elemental sunshine to get punters in the mood to groove to their folksy set, they have us forgetting about the grey clouds and occasional sprinkles outside the marquee.
View the day two photo gallery.
As I head next door to camp Mojo, I see part of the swelling crowd between the stages. Punters are armed with rain jackets and ponchos, kids in carts, run-of-the-mill and fashion flair gum boots and fold-up chairs ready to combat the expected mudding of the grounds.
My favourite sister duo, Vika & Linda, is running a little late to the stage due to travel delays. We are not kept long before they blow us punters away with gutsy and powerful pipes as they take turns leading melodies while they sing with such incredible harmony.
Totally unflustered by their late start. Honestly was there ever a punter dissatisfied with Vika & Linda's flawless sets? I think not. We know it's not true, but they do make singing seem so effortless. If only.
The Church - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Like a 'Reptile' I slither back on over to The Church at the Crossroads; sounds like a move title, or a tour 'destination' right? Yeah, they did play freakishly well, but I had to leave to catch a first taste of Briggs.
Briggs brought the hip hop, rap magic to punters and I recognise Lindsay 'The Doctor' McDougall from Frenzal Rhomb onstage on guitar – he is such a band floozy, err hum (clears throat) collaborator. Ha!
Briggs bought the beats and messages to punter – he'd get my vote for a senator! While not your usual dealio at Bluesfest, I note he had many a fan in the crowd and scored some unsuspecting new ones.
Sheesh! I am back on the streets of Bluesfest town in search of a taco. Where is that Mexican food van? Ah, I find it, order and chat to others waiting for their grub. The vibe is well above average and I hear unconfirmed whispers in the wind that the crowd may be around 27k – that's massive!
The Angels and The Living End are two rock bands on my must-see hit list for today. Both bands get the masses crazy today as always. They each elevate the festival vibe to extreme highs and then some.
The Living End - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Both bands show us they continue to be masters of the stage, their instruments and of their musically enslaved fans before them. They draw in crowds and continue to build their fan base with new generation punters who join with the longstanding ones to indulge in the rocking, kick-ass sets that encourage the best sing-alongs and call and responses of the day. Get the picture? Yes they were so cool.
As Gilbert and Sullivan would say: "I'm not quite finished yet." There's a few more bands today and L.A.B. is one of them.
They hit with a cocktail of '70s soul sounds shaken with funk and reggae ambiance and stirred through with moments of countrified rock and some slick covers. Oh yeah, they pulled off a Chaka Kahn number in style.
The crowd really embraced their sounds and style and I am a new fan in the thick of it.
L.A.B. - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Tonight Tex Perkins' The Man In Black is playing to a packed crowd.
The atmosphere is set with a darker stage (surprise!) as he takes the stage to growl out Cash's baritone classics, kicking off with 'Folsome Prison Blues' and throwing a few covers done by Cash in the mix for good measure. In my biased opinion, nobody does Cash better.
Hoodoo Gurus brings me to my number 12 band seen for the day. They receive a loud and warm welcome from the crowd and return that energy a few degrees hotter when they turn on their power-pop, psychedelic rock with a heat they ignite with their recent single 'World Of Pain' ahead one of their very first singles 'Tojo’.
Punters were treated to a long line of crowd favourites with a sprinkle of recent material. The Hoodoo Gurus sound is alive and well and I didn't realise how much I had missed it until now. I so need to add them back on a frequent playlist.
Hoodoo Gurus - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Another New Zealand band on my list today is Six60. Returning to Bluesfest today, I see they hold the hearts of many punters at the Mojo stage gathered to experience their intense vibe of heavier rock with distorted guitar and gritty synth that is intertwined with songs with soulful tones and some rock-reggae feels.
Matiu Walters' vocal range is remarkable and kind of unexpected. I think I need to give this band a listen, they definitely have a lot going on.
Six60 - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Midnight Oil brings me to number 14 on today’s hit list and the stage is packed from font to rear and side to side.
The Oils use the digital screens as part of their show with images relating to war and protest – the new material was the focus as we consider the balance between existence and extinction.
It was heavy going ahead of the crowd staples that had the late-night stayers singing and dancing along to the end of the set.
Thanks again Bluesfest crew! I especially I give a silent thanks to those who work into the night to clean up rubbish, recycle and clean surfaces including the port-a-loos and all the other behind the scenes work that magically happens overnight. You are so appreciated.
Time to hit the hay – until tomoz!
Stay tuned for more reviews from 2022 Bluesfest.
