Good vibes and good music kept the skies blue this year for a fully stocked Bluesfest 2025 (17-20 April).
You would have struggled to find a boring moment across the four days: ska, electronic, calypso, soul, jazz, rap, bluegrass. . . all cohesively in one location.What was originally to be the last Bluesfest party, saw the return of a lot of the festival's greatest hits: John Butler, Kasey Chambers, The Beards, Melbourne Ska Orchestra and more. These bands had performed multiple times before. This is not a negative; they are fan favourites for good reason.
Thursday started off strong. Although typically the quieter day, the audience made sure to be heard. Crowds were large, and punters walked into the festival site rearing and ready.
Fans of Maoli sung every lyric and were jumping like basketball players in the front row. So much so it made photographers turn to them and face away from the stage! This caught the attention of lead singer Glen Awong who laughed in appreciation.
Maoli - image © Kalem Horn
Tones And I put in a level of effort that would make most headliners nervous. Originally performing on the smaller Busker's stage in 2018, she now stood (literally) centre stage on the largest (Crossroads). She put on a SHOW!
Tones had a unique set design with stairs leading high up into the centre. Band members dressed the sides whilst her and her dancers ran up and down, side to side with full choreography. They utilised every inch of that space.
The screen and stage lights went red. It backlit a lone dancer, tall atop the stairs. Stretching limbs tensely for dramatic silhouette. Big bass booms rumbled your tummy. 'The Kids Are Coming' began with a spotlight on Tones as she walked back onstage with purpose. She begun to sing as dancers rushed to her sides. My attention was enthralled. What will happen next!
A modernised version of 'Dance Monkey' closed the set. The sound system was drowned out by the crowd's singing in unison. Did I mention this was just Thursday?!
There were so many good moments throughout the weekend, too many to mention! Ry X's progressive electronic tracks drew me in magnetically with its thumping heartbeat and foreboding rhythm. C.W. Stoneking's three piece fit with accordion and sousaphone took us back to a time of calypso.
C.W. Stoneking - image © Kalem Horn
The front row was dressed to the nines in their natural or woollen beards for The Beards. Ladies screamed as Budjerah pointed into the audience singing sweet melodies.The list goes on and on. There was always an opportunity to dance at Bluesfest.
Here Come The Mummies performed each night. An undead octet brought back to life by the soul of funk. They taught everyone how to move with 'fenk shui'. "Funky to the left, funky to the east." Their choreographed moves invited you to stomp along.
The Cat Empire continued to prove why they're one of the best in the world. A multicultural and international mix of brass, singing and percussion. Their performance of 'Hello' solidified itself as one of ska's biggest anthems that made even the stiffest of types jump.
Melbourne Ska Orchestra commanded by Nicky Bomba sat right beside for excellence. MSO is still one of the very few acts I have seen pull off the impossible feat of getting the whole crowd dancing right to the veryyyyy back. Ska penetrated every dark corner right down to the soul.
Jerome Williams - image © Kalem Horn
Jerome Williams closed out Saturday night in style. Perfect timing as Crowded House played next door to a crowded. . . tent, patrons spilled over to a now bustling Juke Joint. Jerome has played Bluefest previously; from performing on the Mojo stage in 2023, right back to the Byron Music stall in 2017 (so not even a stage), but no matter where he is, he managed to attract his own audience.
Jerome lived up to his reputation on Saturday night. He begun with fast finger and tapping work with instrumental, acoustic guitar pieces. With the atmosphere set, he was joined by his band. Singing, improvisation, quick, clean guitar, endless bass 16th notes and energised drums.
The music was fast, but not overbearing; rather it was uplifting. The first few rows of the audience shook their whole body, letting loose any bad juju that was still inside. We all left buzzing with grins on our faces.
Sunday night had something in the air. The atmosphere had objectively shifted. Excitement and electricity began with Aro-Cuban-funk act Cimafunk. I caught the last two songs on Friday (where I saw 20 audience members onstage dancing as a shirtless Erik Alejandro Iglesias Rodríguez amped up the audience while their saxophonist played melody rolls that would make you melt).
This Sunday night was no different. The thick basslines of 'La Pomada' had me stomping my feet immediately and made it hard to keep my camera still.
John Butler - image © Kalem Horn
Next was John Butler and his band. This is the fourth time I have seen John perform and it was my favourite so far. John was close to tears as he spoke about music, ethos and connection. "People do these sorts of things to forget, I do this to remember." His shows remind me about how beautiful the world and people are, and how we are all not that different.
John really poured his heart out, truly. Channelling that into his 11-string guitar, his ever-changing ten-minute instrumental piece, 'Ocean' had the entirety of Mojo tent spellbound. Quietness would fall under the ebb and flow, then with a swell, we would roar and cheer during the highs.
Taj Farrant was a standout of mine. He was spot-lit by Bluesfest with three primetime sets throughout the festival, and with good reason. He is a natural born shredder on guitar. Every song felt like 'one last song'. A crescendo of tension and release, dialled in at ten, to send off the show; yet, he maintained that level of intensity throughout the entire set.
To have captured such a confidence and performative atmosphere while only being 15!? After a seven-minute shredfest, a string of his couldn't hold it anymore and snapped. On rushed Dad to give the guitar first-aid as Taj introduced his last song. It was a song he had the pleasure to perform with Prince's own band previously.
Now, on his final set, on the final time slot of the festival, he performed 'Purple Rain'. He instructed lead vocals to the crowd: "Purple rain, purrrr-ple rain!" Channeling all the master guitarists before him, Taj's guitar face becomes possessed with 100 expressions.
Taj cheekily grinned: "Let's send it hey?" And send it he did. His fingers moved at the speed of sound and the crowd yelled in applause to a festival close.
Taj Farrant - image © Kalem Horn
Although this was a shorter Bluesfest (four days instead of five), it may end up being my favourite. It was so jam-packed with incredible moments. I was constantly blown away by act after act. They were well balanced with something for all ages, all the time. The weather was great (that shouldn't go without mention).
I am glad Bluesfest will continue into 2026. Hopefully, with whatever the future holds, it will continue to grow and shift for the better; continually raising the bar that it set for itself. I sure had a blast this year and can't wait for the next one.
