The penultimate festival day (17 April) has arrived and I hunt for my morning stimulant, while others hunt for Easter eggs.
With my coffee in hand, it's game on Sunday and the Pierce Brothers are it for my brunch session at the Crossroads. While it is unfortunate that both brothers could not be on the stage today we got a fantastic set the crowd singing along and cheering after each song.I saw many families in the audience for this session (a lot of bunny ears and face paint too!). I love how the kiddies are wearing their ear protection, some with bunny ears too as they dance freely near their grown-ups or sitting up high on shoulders.
Pierce Brothers - image © Clea-marie Thorne
I got to experience The Buckleys on the Jambalaya stage and Kim Churchill here at the Crossroads.
Another must-have on my programme was the teaming up of that who shall be known as one of the most amazing soul singers alive, Josh Teskey, with the talented Ash Grunwald.
'Low Down Dog' warms us up, but it is the cover of Robert Johnson's 'Cross Road Blues' that has got me hot. I could listen to their collaborative genius all day and all night, however Hussy Hicks always put on a great show and I try to see them whenever I can and Jambalaya stage is hosting them shortly.
Ash Grunwald - image © Clea-marie Thorne
I know they're still doing it tough after the recent floods with all the hard work ahead of them plus they're raising money for the cause so I head on down to show my support.
In return I'm uplifted with Lisa's gorgeous vocals and Jules' amazing work on guitar behind a pink heart displayed to remind punters of the fund raising – Jules just keeps getting better and better on her tools. How is that even possible?
Well I promised myself a slice of Nathan Cavaleri's set down at the Juke Joint. Did I say this is the furthest stage? Okay well that just speaks as to how much I want to make sure I get see some of his set on this fourth day of being on my feet. A lot.
Nathan Cavaleri - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Jon Stevens up on the Mojo stage gives the old-school pub rocking vibes with his tremendous vocals, stylised rock moves and stage charisma belting out INXS and Noiseworks hits we know off by heart.
'Touch' comes first in their set list of hits and the band play tight as we punters are dancing loose.
View the day four photo gallery.
Back at the Crossroads, The Waifs have always sounded better live than on their recordings, not that they are bad, but for me it can sometimes fall into the background – but onstage, there's no wandering of attention. The crowd sing-along to 'London Still' really loudly and pretty well in tune (except me).
The Waifs - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Ian Moss opens with his banger 'Such A Beautiful Thing' on stage Mojo and Moss fans are ready to sing to the chorus and it is a beautiful thing.
What a great time slot for his distinct voice, laid-back ballads and rocking tracks. The perfect Sunday arvo session and Bluesfest and the atmosphere is almost summery. That's not much of a stretch – the weather has taken a turn for the better.
Fat Freddy's Drop, another New Zealand import who are a favourite with the punters, are now cramming on the stage at Crossroads to do a little musical voodoo with us.
The ambiance is created with darker stage lighting, the fog machine pumping as the band position themselves behind a whole lot of instruments and stands that will enable them to bring their spell components of jazz, blues rhythm and rock with some electro sounds and whatever else they feel is needed to cast their spell on us.
We are enchanted and held fascinated, not wanting it to end.
Fat Freddy's Drop - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Meanwhile down at Jambalaya, 19-Twenty are cutting loose on the stage with their vibrant stage performance that requires your full attention as you do not know what may be coming your way.
These guys must have grown up when monkey bars were still found in parks and school yards. I swear if they could parkour on the stage rig they'd be doing that while singing and playing as well.
I'm exhausted for them just watching. They are almost a blues-rock-anything goes Dillinger Escape Plan.
19-Twenty - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Another great act to be enjoying on a Sunday afternoon, of course that would be Jimmy Barnes now at the Mojo. Barnsey fans have flocked to the stage and crowd participation for this is going to be huge.
He leads with newer material written with the same winning formula, 'Flesh And Blood', before he gives fans an oldie but goodie 'I'd Die To Be With You Tonight' that he belts out with pipes as strong as they've ever been.
Fans get a mix of songs from here on including a couple of covers. There were tears when I discovered I left for John Butler that Jon Stevens got up on stage (there were a lot of guest appearances throughout the festival) to do an Easy Beats song with him. Wah!
Jimmy Barnes - image © Clea-marie Thorne
So after an amazing set by regular Bluesfest artist John Butler with his rootsy-blues offerings, I trekked all the way back to Jambalaya stage to catch a childhood favourite of mine, Renee Geyer.
I fell for her husky, raspy soulful pipes at the age of four or five and was fascinated at how she could be soft and trill then belt it out with such power. I am stoked at the chance to reminisce with live music.
Renee Geyer - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Geyer was a great segue to the artist I have been holding my breath for another childhood hero and all-time favourite, George Benson.
I cannot believe this is happening right now at tent Mojo! Benson is a living history – I won't bore you with the details, educate yourself later, let's just say he puts the soul in jazz and the jazz in soul, can play a guitar like a boss and make you swoon with his velvet vocals.
'Lady Love Me' and 'Turn Your Love Around' has us all singing along and as we move into the set I need to let Clarence Bekker know that at 79 years, Benson can match him thrust for thrust, so he'll be right to keep his groove going for a few more years yet. Ha!
George Benson - image © Clea-marie Thorne
My last live music infusion is from Crowded House at the Crossroads. These icons are drawing a massive crowd for the festival's fourth day, not surprising as there have been over 100k tickets sold for the festival this year.
Breaking the crowd banter with 'Seven Worlds', Neil Finn then expresses his happiness to be playing to the expectant crowd. We get favourites including 'Something So Strong' and 'Weather With You'.
Finn then tells us a story about being on quiet farm with the band recently and we discover that he does not know the difference between cricket and cicada sounds. Lucky he is an accomplished musician and not wanting to be an entomologist. Right?
What's this? Barnsey is up on stage to give a hand with 'Mean To Me' blasting his lungs out while the crowd is moving side to side and heads are bobbing up and down for this and every song.
Crowded House - image © Clea-marie Thorne
I nearly make the end but realise there is likely an encore resulting in a mass exit. I pull myself away and head to the car. I am not sure how much I missed but swear I faintly hear 'Better Be Home Soon' floating in the gentle breeze and chuckle as I think of my pillow.
Day four out the door and I'll be back tomorrow for sure.
Stay tuned for more reviews from 2022 Bluesfest.
