Words by Marlena Katene
Photography by Simone Gorman-Clark
The 33rd Byron Bay Bluesfest kicked off on Thursday with a bang and it was hard to believe we were actually here about to celebrate 5 days of live music at this iconic festival that due to lovely COVID, had many false starts but had now finally made it over the finish line in all her glory. The crowd was pumped and so were we. Let's goooo!
Bronte Eve
The Jambalaya stage has seen some talent appear before it her the years. Giving an audience to many buskers early in their careers such as Tones and I, Hussy Hicks, and more. As winner of the 2019 busking completion this afternoon we saw Bronte Eve take her position on stage with her 5-piece band. As part of her Bluesfest prize, she won the right to appear on the Main Stage. Dressed in her two-piece suede suit and red striped hair she performed this afternoon to an enthusiastic crowd. After finishing her first song 'I Love it when you Say' the crowd was encouraged to get out of their seats and come forward, “ I'm pint-size and I am small but I’m not scary come up closer if you wish”. With that, the crowd got up from their seats and made their way to the front barrier. Like many buskers making their way in the music industry, every opportunity is a stepping stone to something more. Bronte-Eve is destined for bigger things like many that have graced the stage before her. Tonight may have been her biggest crowd to date but the big stage is where she belongs. Announcing to the crowd “This is my last show before I move overseas and get my arse together and release these songs” one can but wonder where this soulful singer is heading in the near future.
Kim Churchill
Hitting the Crossroads stage next was a Bluesfest favourite and also a former winner of the Bluesfest Busking competition in 2009 was Kim Churchill. Like many other Bluesfest artists, he started busking at local markets and I had never seen Kim play before. Since those busking days he has been a regular on the main stage here at Byron Bay Bluesfest in between his national tours. As he warmed up the crowd with his heartfelt and detailed storytelling of each song, this one-man band's harmonica blowing, drum kicking, guitar playing, and powerful vocals produced a mind-blowing huge sound that brought eh crowd to their feet to dance and sing in chorus. Set to release part two of a collection of recordings that he created in four different parts of the globe, after witnessing the tornado of today's performance we can not wait to hear it. Put Kim on your schedule for sure.
Ash Grunwald
Ash Grunwald is an epic storyteller and no stranger to Australia's blues and roots festival circuit. Igniting The Juke Joint stage with the backing of his band, which includes the one and only Bobby Alu on drums, he bathed us with his signature soul-drenched vocals and heartfelt storytelling. He had us sing back to him in acapella-style to warm us up and then rained down on us with fury with his stomping, wailing, and rhythmic force of his guitar. His live performances are so moving, powerful, and memorable. As the crowd dispersed from the tent, the energy flowed with them with smiles and positive vibes all around.
The Angels
Since bursting on the scene in the late 1970', The Angels are without a doubt one of the most adored and iconic bands to come out of the Australian pub circuit. The crowd at the Crossroads stage was decked out in band merch and ready to dance and drink in the high-energy, guitar-riffing, raucous hard rock performance The Angels are known for. Front Man Dave Gleeson pumped up the engaged crowd with his funny, rude, and crude stage antics while a selection of old and new Angels hits was performed from their catalogue. Over 40 years on and still going strong, there really isn't anything more iconically Aussie than watching The Angels belt out their debut single 'Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again' with the crowd raising the middle finger and shouting back in unison "No way, get fucked, fuck off!"
The Living End
Australian Rock Royalty The Living End brings back vivid fun memories of me as young 6-year-old headbanging to ‘Prisoner of Society’ on Rage. Today at the Crossroads stage the crowd had formed early to secure their places in front of the stage and the band merch was out in force. The Melbourne three-piece entered the stage and the crowd went absolutely crazy. As they played a diverse mix of tracks with gusto the energy of the atmosphere was electrifying. Scott Owen performed his signature move of riding his double base while plucking it with force and they finished strong with their iconic rebel rock classics ‘Prisoner of Society’ and ‘White Noise’. I danced with the frenzied crowd in all my 6-year-old headbanging glory. Just like feeding children lollies all day and then asking them to go to bed, the crowd was pumped up and the atmosphere was electric.
L.A.B
Hailing from New Zealand, L.A.B has created a completely unique sound that blends a mix of reggae, electronic, blues, funk, and rock and roll. The band have now four albums under its belt and has toured the world to sold-out crowds. Founded by Brad and Stuart Kora, Joel Shadbolt soon joined the band and then Ara Adams-Tamatea was brought in. These guys sure know how to put on a show with their impressive visual experience and audio mastery. Tonight on the Mojo stage they smashed out an assorted range of hits which took us on a musical journey. A stand-out moment was when the track ‘For the love of Jane’ was performed which got everyone's phone torches held high and swaying. The set ended with the crowd favorite ‘The Watchman’ which had the crowd dancing out hard to the heavy funky reggae chorus.
Midnight Oil
When we think about Midnight Oil, we don't think just about this iconic rock band performing their musical talents to a legion of fans spanning decades but also the group's unique way to display their activism. We think about a group of talented artists who have made an impact on our society and through their creativity have educated and opened our eyes to a wide range of important issues. Speaking on political and climate issues among many things the music has been a platform of advocacy or activism delivered in an entertaining way.
With their brand new album in nearly two decades, Peter Garrett and the band stepped onto the Crossroads stage giving the crowd an unforgettable performance tonight with many fans lining up on the barrier well before they were due to perform. Having hits that have spanned decades their backlog of options for the setlist would be endless and a job in itself to create. The fans however would be happy with any arrangement they put have put together. To understand their fan base one just needs to immerse themselves in the crowd and spend time chatting with the loyal crowd. Midnight Oil prior to this performance had to, unfortunately, cancel numerous shows due to Peter getting covid in the weeks leading up to Bluesfest. I am sure there were many anxious fans wondering if this part of the festival was to proceed as planned. With many fans traveling far and wide for this performance it was clear this was the Bluesfest headline act they had come to see. The fans were not disappointed and song after song the fans sang word for word. 'Read About It', 'US Forces' 'Beds', 'Forgotten Years' the hits just kept coming. The enthusiasm and volume from the audience ensured the band responded with their high voltage gift of music. It's been way too long and Midnight Oil delivered the goods tonight.
The Wailers
The Wailers are no strangers to the Bluesfest's stages while filling the crowd up with love and unity. It is a family affair with the crazy talented Aston Barrett AKA (The Familyman), teaming up with his son Aston Barrett jr. With their new album in 25 years 'One love', the legends of reggae will celebrate their original frontman the one and only Bob Marley. Taking the Mojo stage last to give the crowd something to reflect on their pillows after a night of the classics.
When we mention the word reggae one can’t go past Jamacia and The Wailers. The Wailers are no strangers to Australia and the Bluesfest's stages and it is great to see them perform once again. Filling the mojo tent with the beautiful sounds of reggae music the audience is taken to a place of love and unity, which in these crazy times we can all agree we need more of. While it has been over 40 years since Bob Marley passed his legacy down the music is still as fresh and relevant to this day. A family affair with the talented Aston Barrett AKA (The Family man), teaming up with his son Aston Barrett jr and a talented backing ensemble that is keeping true Jamaican music alive. Their first new album in 25 years 'One World' was recently released and I was curious to see the crowd that they would draw. A mixture of young and old celebrated came together tonight to celebrate their original music alongside the newer album. Despite the difference in the audience ages, the audience knew all the words to the songs and we all sang along in harmony.
You know you are back at Bluesfest and music is finally back when you leave a tent with many people still singing the lyrics to the artist they have just witnessed. 'One love, one heart …. let's get together and feel all right'. Exiting the Mojo tent tonight there was a lot of singing. As the lyrics state, we all left the tent together tonight in unison, in love and everyone was feeling all right. Leaving a performance like this with all the craziness currently in the world one can’t remain optimistic for a better tomorrow. The power of music is amazing it can unite, heal and create a better world. Maybe the answer to war is to make our world leaders attend a Wailer's events prior to any World leader's meetings?
The Cat Empire
Seeing The Cat Empire perform live is truly an experience within itself and it is hard to believe that this would be the last time we would ever see the band's original lineup perform live together. After 20 years of gracing stages worldwide with their unique sound and big band feel, they were on fire to go out with an absolute bang. We were treated to a high-energy roof-raising performance at the Mojo stage which fired up the crowd and put everyone in party mode for days of Bluesfest to follow.
Rarely does one go to a gig and pay attention to nearly EVERY performer on stage. Each member has a role and normally the lead singer gets the accolades and the band will sit in the background taking whatever fandom that may or may not come their way. As good as lead singer Felix is you will not get that with this band with every member getting their spotlight front and centre. From start to finish tonight we were treated to a visual buffet alongside the music. The whole stage was filled with a band that worked so well in sync with each other. The moment the band came on stage to the moment they exited was special. Surely they can re-consider breaking the original lineup and give the fans at least another 20 years?
