Just as the heavens are about to descend upon Bluesfest, LP comes out to set Friday on fire.
Her operatic vocals are interspersed with addictive beats and blues guitar, and her lyrics are heartbreaking and beautifully poetic. 'Strange' has the huge crowd clapping along, while internet sensation 'Lost On You' erupts spectacularly, as LP cycles between whistling and harmonica. A stunning act.Kaleo launches the crowd into the atmosphere, while over at Mojo a moving tribute to Archie Roach unfolds with spoken word and calling vocals amidst various guest performances. It is beautiful and touching, and certainly wasn't to be missed.
LP - image © Clea-marie Thorne
At Crossroads, Beck leads with some acoustic songs including 'Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime' from 'Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind' soundtrack, before recounting the story of his first day in Byron Bay, which included stepping on a rat, encounters with the drones of Formula One cars and a dinner during which the chef caught on fire head to toe.
He jokingly begins 'Lost Cause' in a minor key, before adjusting his capo. He shares that his friend sent him a Beck song written by AI, and plays said song to a hilarious reception. He then sings "Forty roses couldn't cover my grave", and it is apparent that he encapsulates sentimental in a special way. 'Loser' is warmly received, before a harmonica showcase closes his set.
Spinifex Gum are an incredible choir of 16 Indigenous girls, operatic and spectacular. One song explores rates of Indigenous people in custody. "These cold hard facts are an indictment of all of us," the lead girl calls out, while the final song is a stunningly beautiful display. It is the most touching and heavenly moment of the day.
Spinifex Gum - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Keb' Mo' is sultry and smooth with his gentle blues. "Put your clothes back on," he tells the crowd to much amusement. He scats simultaneously playing the same tune on his guitar.
Over at Jukebox, Tex Perkins plays a song written by his 11-year-old son. "Watch out," he says. The Spanish-inspired classical is ominous and crafty, and Perkins' vocals are deep and full. "This is a song for all the wine lovers," he shares for 'Paychecks'.
Paolo Nutini is more attractive than any human deserves to be. Add a voice like flowers in spring and it's a lethal combination of seductive and easygoing. "I'll be there waiting for you," he sings and the whole crowd is erupting. It's transcendent and a true highlight of the day.
Paolo Nutini - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats is flamboyant and fun, smashing out banger after banger. Over at Crossroads, Gang Of Youths come out under a cacophony of single guitar strums and epileptic lights. The crowd is very excited for them, and the classics go down like good whiskey.
At Delta, Larkin Poe rock the crowd with a power packed performance. The withdrawal of Elvis Costello was certainly felt, but overall Friday was a day of fun, sentimentality and standout performances.
Larkin Poe - image © Clea-marie Thorne
After a wet and somewhat subdued Friday night, the weather is putting on an absolute show on Saturday for Bluesfest. Nikki Hill is explosive and the band is so tight it sends shivers down your whole body.
She makes the atmosphere electric with her guttural but silky vocals, and the band talent on show is unmatched. The vibe has punters smiling and dancing. She is one of the most incredible performers I have ever seen, and it's a very good thing that she has two more performances.
Nikki Hill - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Dog Trumpet showcase clean, acoustic picking and heartfelt songwriting, while Vintage Trouble is so full of energy it is ridiculous. It's no wonder the tent is packed. His vocals are absolutely stunning.
Marcus King's eight-piece band includes three brass players. It's frenetic and dark, and the guitar playing is clean as a whistle. It features an impressive and wild drum solo that the packed tent appreciates, as well as individual brass solos. His voice is smooth and the set is a testament to instrumental mastery.
Marcus King - image © Clea-marie Thorne
19-Twenty are fun and energetic. They cover 'Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again' in their style. "It's ladies day at Bluesfest so all you ladies sing back to me. Am I ever gonna see your face again?" The ladies scream the obligatory response loudly. It's a raucous good time.
Allison Russell tells many heartbreaking stories. One the story of her adoptive father who abused her, and made her feel like she was nothing. She tells how she wanted to die every day. Then she tells how she found the music community who she calls her chosen family.
Her songs are deeply moving, there are tears in many eyes. She is also a multi-instrumentalist, cycling between clarinet and banjo. Over at Jukebox, Electric Cadillac are scatting ferociously and the crowd are dancing like their life depends on it. Frank Turner sings the song about how his father is now a transgender woman named Miranda, and gives it his all.
Electric Cadillac - image © Clea-marie Thorne
An unmissable event, Jackson Browne takes to the stage and spellbinds the crowd for the entire set. Emotion in the room is running deep as he dedicates the set to the recently deceased David Lindley.
Browne is truly remarkable, a perfect voice so captivating and yet so reserved. 'Running On Empty' sets the crowd alight, and the set is over far too quickly. A significant moment of the festival.
Jackson Browne - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Clarence Bekker Band are beautiful and feel-good. They cover 'Stand By Me' and it is such a beautiful moment. Buddy Guy is hilarious, playing his guitar with his sleeve and taunting the crowd. He is an incredible act, all class and the songs are swinging. It is impossible to believe he is 87.
Dami Im is spectacular, her voice so controlled and intriguing. "I wrote this about my mum and how she kept marching on through all the challenges," she says for 'Marching On'. She is wearing a shiny, rainbow dress which is fitting as she brings colour to the atmosphere. Her voice is once in a lifetime. Beth Hart contrasts with her dark growly vocals, and the crowd loves it.
Buddy Guy - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Counting Crows are astonishing. Frontman Adam Duritz sings like he is acting, performing with each word. They run through 'Round Here' and 'Mr Jones' early on, as they work through a moving set. At Crossroads, Joe Bonamassa shreds before his huge crowd, and it's beyond impressive.
With the rain thankfully absent, Saturday was beautiful, memorable and loving. A brilliant mid-festival day.
Counting Crows - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Sunday of Bluesfest is here and the spectacular weather is continuing. Hussy Hicks are incredible, the power in frontwoman Leesa Gentz's voice shakes the festival to life. They are an unmissable act. RocKwiz life is boisterous and hilarious, a signature highlight of Bluesfest featuring Mark Seymour and Chris Cheney among others.
Steve Poltz intersperses insanely talented acoustic guitar picking and brilliant songwriting with the most hilarious stories I've ever heard on stage. A favourite was the time his elderly Catholic mother asked to try marijuana, which resulted in a pizza boy showing her how in her assisted-living facility. He is a wonderful performer and raconteur, see him if you can.
Roshani skilfully live mixes her vocals and house music, also playing guitar. A pure talent. Ash Grunwald draws the majority of the crowd to the Jukebox stage for his frenetic and fiery songs. He is certainly beloved in Byron.
Yirrmal provides an outstanding show with guest appearances, Dami Im stepping in toward the end.
Steve 'N' Seagulls - image © Clea-marie Thorne
At Delta, Steve 'N' Seagulls is Finland's Weird Al – talented, funny and full of banjo and accordion. Truly remarkable musicians. Their cover of 'Shook Me All Night Long' is well received.
Femi Kuti and the Positive Force keep it rolling right along at a million miles an hour. The three backing singer/ dancers are clothed in silver bras, shiny skirts, painted faces and abundant jewellry. It's a sonic and visual smorgasbord as Kuti jumps around conducting like an angry ant.
Ray Beadle Stax of Blues is silky smooth, playing the guitar super-highs magnificently. Nikki Hill is as excellent as ever, a powerhouse driven by a band second to none.
Michael Franti commences with a spoken word video and erupts like an immediate sunrise. The place is packed as he sings upliftingly. He brings out his wife to sing with him as it's her birthday this weekend. It's a beautiful moment.
Michael Franti - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Mavis Staple is inexplicably legendary. Her smooth but gravelly vocals are stunning. She is positive and kind. "We have missed you. Thank the Lord we made it back." The set is an honour to witness.
Bonnie Raitt is charming and talented, cycling through instruments and hits like it's nothing, while Tash Sultana is predictably amazing. The background visuals are trippy and she performs with ease in front of a fluoro cactus, flamingo and rainbow. 'Notion' and 'Jungle' close and they are always something special to see.
Trombone Shorty closes another spectacular day with their frantic brass playing. It's furious and skilled. Sunday was fun, full of laughs and brilliant musicianship. A perfect day.
The final day of Bluesfest commences with the same beautiful weather. RocKwiz is a fun way to start the day, while Yirrmal takes to Crossroads. His voice is beautiful and moving, he is a natural performer. He dons a pink button-up shirt, singing sadly before blue-sky visuals, then bringing it up for a big ending.
Ash Grunwald shreds through his dark blues, before a typically big crowd. Jon Stevens is energetic, bursting through the well known Noiseworks and INXS songs. A wonderful performer with a stunning voice.
Mavis Staples' second performance is even more powerful. She flirts playfully with her guitarist, "do it, do it, do it again". "The Staples family singers been doing this for 74 years. And I ain't tired yet," she says as she gets the entire crowd singing loudly. An absolute icon.
Beth Hart plays her acoustic set although complete with double bass and drums. She tells the story of her 80-year-old mother being left by her 26 years younger partner, and while on the way to see her mother and plotting said partner's death, she decided to write a song instead. 'Baby Shot Me Down' ensues. Hart is an inexplicable voice that has to be experienced.
Xavier Rudd - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Xavier Rudd plays multiple instruments. For one song he simultaneously plays drums and didgeridoo as three Aboriginal backing singers harmonise beautifully. He brings so much light and peace, it is a pleasure to be here.
Eugene Hideaway Bridges is fantastic, playing his guitar fluidly, as simple as breathing. Coterie bring their energetic reggae to Delta, while Bonnie Raitt is all class at Crossroads. She sings 'I Can't Make You Love Me' and it is beautiful, then her younger brother joins on harmonica for final song 'Never Make Your Move Too Soon'. It's all class.
A massive crowd stays for The Doobie Brothers, who are the highlight of the entire festival. They are tight and the sound is perfectly balanced, the songs have everyone singing, even those who didn't know the words to begin with.
Searing guitar and saxophone solos are complemented by Michael McDonald's outstanding husky voice and piano playing. It is a perfect set and every patron leaves with a massive smile on their face.
The Doobie Brothers - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Beautiful weather, beautiful music and beautiful moments marked a fantastic weekend.
The work of organisers to bring over legends like Mavis Staples, Buddy Guy, and Lucinda Williams, as well as exclusives like Joe Bonamassa, Nikki Hill and Beth Hart provided performances many would otherwise never have been able to see in their lives.
Bluesfest 2023 was an experience that will stay dear in many, many hearts.
