Words by Marlena Katene
Photography by Simone Gorman-Clark
The rain fell, the mud got thicker and the Bluesfest spirit grew stronger. People were ecstatic to be sweaty and shoulder to shoulder as they danced and belted out their favourite artists' tunes at the top of their voices.
Jon Stevens
Seasoned Aussie performer Jon Stevens kick-started his set tonight with the INXS classic ‘Suicidal Blonde’. A packed tent full of energy and fans young and old alike knew they were in for an Aussie Rock performance. Prior to the show starting, I overheard two people discussing their adoration for Jon with one even declaring “Hands down Jon is simply the best performing artist in Australia currently performing”. His friend said in an Aussie Slang “Yer I would say he is up there with Barnsey for sure”.
Entering the Mojo stage Jon announced “Bluesfest great to see. Are you ready to hear some INXS songs which we have been doing for over 30 years now?” The crowd roared in response. With that prompt of crowd approval, the 6-piece band got straight into ‘Touch’.
A quintessential Aussie rock artist Jon Stevens relived his front man-days with INXS which arguably is the best band to ever come out of Australia. The crowd was guaranteed a high-energy set full of their favourites and he did not disappoint. Another great rock performance here at the 2022 Bluesfest.
Mama Kin Spender
A small but supportive crowd came to witness Mama Kin’s second BluesFest performance at the Juke Joint. Dressed in a red jacket she joked “It was rented and the person I rented it off was going to have to burn it after she handed it back as I sweated so much”. It was my first time witnessing her amazing performance which included a full choir sourced locally. Dressed in black and yellow gowns they added to her soulful sounds which had her audience engaged and entranced for her hour set. Watching mama took me back and made me realize whether a small audience or a large crowd that all music has such a power to it. Leaving a small crowd can make one feel as happy and excited as a larger crowd. Where words fail music speaks and tonight Mama’s music spoke volumes.
Jimmy Barnes
I love Jimmy … who doesn't?
His music has been a soundtrack to our lives for well over 40 years or more now. Well not for me as I am a ’90s girl and I’m not that old but he was the one that was always on the radio in my dad's car or playing at some backyard BBQ when we were growing up. His husky voice, stage presence, and crowd enjoyment make him an obvious addition to the Bluesfest lineup. On the Mojo stage tonight, he was introduced to the stage by opposition leader Anthony Albanese who was in full pre-election mode here at Bluesfest. The crowd welcomed him with a mix of a few staggering cheers amongst the deafening boos when he described how Jimmy’s hit song ‘Working Class Man’ epitomizes the Aussie spirit and he was glad to be here at Bluesfest as your working-class politician. It was clear the crowd was here to scream some good old classic Jimmy hits and forget what was happening in the world outside the Bluesfest bubble.
There aren’t too many performers that suit a wide range of audience sizes but having seen Barnsey numerous times you cannot put him in a one size fits all box. Under the tent on the Mojo stage, Jimmy gave as much power and energy as he has done in various locations for the last 50 years. Give Jimmy a microphone, stage, and an Audience he leaves nothing in the tank and every show you are guaranteed 110%. One would be forgiven for thinking he is in his 20s or 30s with the energy he exuberates. A true Performer who left the crowd entertained. The hits just kept coming and the crowd kept wanting more.
John Butler
A passionate environmentalist John Butler is part of the Bluesfest family and has been part of this event for over 20 years. If ever there was a stage named after someone or a statue erected my vote would go to John receiving this accolade, as he is a great example of an artist who stands by his convictions and draws people in both on and off the stage. As John enters the stage he naturally feels at home and welcomes the crowd and reminds them we are standing on Biljungal land and pays his respect.
On a smaller stage, he sits with his 4 guitars, banjo, loop pedal, and amp. With all his instruments in his hands reach the next 90 minutes he had the crowd in his hands. No more than when he reached for his banjo and started to play the chords to ‘Better Than’, which had the crowd singing even before John started singing the words.
While Bluesfest had its fair share of politicians present at this year's event in the Crossroad tent we had our own citizen advocate sharing his message of looking after our planet and challenging politicians to do the same. John is no stranger to letting his thoughts known regarding the ongoing issues we have with large corporations and fracking. Rather than just sharing his thoughts verbally John lets his views be well known through the gift of music and it is well received by his fan base. Not just a musical performer John shares his deep thoughts and shows how music can connect us all on a spiritual level.
“I am fascinated by faith and how we all see the world. I am talking about the echo chambers in our minds and how we respond. Even if you believe in nothing that in itself is a belief. What you believe in often becomes a reality and more than ever I need faith whatever that is. When I feel faith, I feel connected to the country”
A touching moment was when John was joined on stage by fellow Bluesfest artist and his partner of 21 years Manakin for a duet where the crowd witnessed their love and beautiful energy both as a couple and musically.
Not a stranger to the Crossroads stage John recalled the first time he performed at Bluesfest. “It was in 2002 and we had 1/4 of the Jambalaya tent a year later we played the same stage and had little more but then it started to pour down. The skies opened up and the tent was packed and it was the most rapturous applause we have ever had. This might be a bit obnoxious but I wonder if we can beat that tonight?”. The crowd responded with the loudest cheer thus far I have heard at Bluesfest. John responded with one of his trademark infectious laughs.
Watching John tonight made me realize how much I have missed live music and how it makes you feel long after the lights have gone down. His energy, passion, and connection with the audience are something that I admire as an artist. His humble quiet voice in between high energetic songs almost feels as if you are conversing with just a few people in the room not a whole crowd of people. There are not many artists in the world that can make you feel like John Butler does and tonight the Bluesfest crowd was entertained and got their money's worth. Now, where is John Touring? I want to see him again as it has been too long between gigs.
Crowded House
In 2016 Crowded House reformed and returned to Sydney Opera House to relive their many hits to a sea of adoring fans. As a tribute to their 1996 ‘Farewell to the world’ tour (which attracted over 100,000 people), it was clear their music was still as relevant and popular as ever. Tonight, on the Crossroad stage Neil Finn entered wearing a two-piece white suit to massive applause from an audience hungry for a chance to see their idols once again. Some fans have not had this opportunity in over a quarter of a century and one could sense we all were in for a show that will be remembered for some time.
Neil was equally excited; “We have been waiting a long time for this and you’ll look so fucking happy and this makes me fucking happy. What a large crowd. Who needs health and safety when you have a happy crowd there is nothing safer than a happy crowd right?”
Kickstarting their set with ‘Seven Worlds’ was the best re-introduction to what was going to be an unforgettable experience at Bluesfest. Neil Finn acknowledged the challenges live music has had ‘Bluesfest it is so good to be back. You guys are always a merry group of people in troubling times. Your happiness makes us all merry and we are lucky this is where we live’ Letting their music do the talking they then broke into many of their classics such as ‘Something So Strong’, ‘Weather With You’, 'It's Only Natural’, ‘Private Universe’ and much more.
Reformed with a new band Neil shared how they had just spent the last two weeks locally on a farm which was pleasant as it was a serene and quiet place where all they could hear was crickets. The band bantered each other arguing whether it was crickets or actually Cicada's they were hearing. With each band member suggesting maybe Neil ate a few cookies. A seasoned performing band Crowded House left most of their talking to the music with each of the band having their own personal interactions with individuals in the crowd. A wink here and there or pointing to specific audience members or locking eyes for ten seconds many audience members left having their crowded house moment despite being a large crowd.
Mid-show Crowded house was joined by Jimmy Barnes and his husky vocals for “I Walk Away”. The crowd joined in a word for word and the volume of the crossroads tent went from loud to insanely loud. Kids in the crowd had their parents reaching for their earbuds albeit for one song only.
As one of the Headline acts to perform at Bluesfest this year Crowded House did not leave the fans disappointed. It left me wanting more and to go home and play the best of the album on repeat for the next week, as they have sung hundreds of times before ‘Hey now hey now, don't dream it's over. I alongside many others am so thankful it was not over for Crowded house and we can still enjoy their music many years on. Tonight, I go to sleep enriched and thankful to have witnessed history for the second time. I will also go content in the knowledge that Neil mentioned they will be coming to QLD before the end of the year. What a band and what a night.
Thank you Bluesfest for this headline act and an incredible day 4.
