From our Ears to Yours
Concert:Byron Bay Bluesfest 2011 – Day 5
Byron thinks different!
Okay, 5 Days is a long time for a festival to run, so I feel a little ashamed to admit that I couldn’t get my lazy ass up off the deck here in Byron Bay, drinking beer with my family and friends , hitting the waves and playing some tunes – I missed a bunch of amazing acts that I was really pretty keen to see – most notably The Snowdroppers, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Tony Joe White – all of whom, from all reports, put on great shows. But I managed to get my act together to make it back to Tyagrah for the two headliner sets for the evening – Bob Dylan, and Elvis Costello and the Impostors.
The Enigma that is Bob Dylan, where to begin? The crowd was absolutely packed – I have never seen so many people at the Mojo tent – we ended out a long way from the stage – some fans had been staking out their patch at the front of the stage for over 7 hours (which is an impressive feat of bladder control for Dylan’s core demographic, if nothing else.)
Byron has always been a haven for hippies, free-thinkers and psychonauts, and Dylan’s legacy from the 60′s is written large into the hand-spun, tie-dyed organic fabric of the region. This was undeniably a huge moment – the most important musical event in the world, if only for an instant.
As the man himself took the stage, cheers rolled across the crowd. His band were in fine form, and the stomping, country twangs and characteristic nasal delivery made it perfectly clear to us all that this was real, this was Dylan, and Byron, together at last.
One of the things that makes for an engaging and memorable show is the ability for the artist to engage with the audience – to emotionally connect to them. At one end of the scale, you have someone like Michael Franti – who will happily dance through the crowd to hang out with the guys who turned up late, constantly talk and engage the fans, and if possible, get as many folks as possible out of the crowd on stage to help out with the task at hand.
Dylan, on the other hand, is at the other end of this audience participation spectrum, As far as I can recall, I don’t think Bob said anything at all to acknowledge us – not even hello – just played his songs. The cameramen who had been delivering closeups of the musicians all day were ordered to stop – one wide angle projection of the stage was the only thing displayed to the crowds on screens up to 200 metres from the stage. And so all we had, was the music – an admittedly impressive set of lyrical masterpieces from a legendary musician.
The setlist included plenty of classics – often not as recognizable as perhaps more casual fans might be able to detect – songs like Tangled Up in Blue, Ballad of a Thin Man, A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall, all delivered with Dylan’s unique re-interpretation of words that he’s been singing for 40 years. (his “NeverEnding Tour”, that started in 1988 has been going for 23 years, and has seen him play about 100 shows a year.)
As this show drew to a close around the sweet hammond organ tones of “Like a Rolling Stone”, the crowd spilled out of the mojo tent – chairs were packed up, into the darkness – some fans were enraptured, others felt more than a little ripped off. At the end of the show, that’s Dylan. He can do whatever he wants, and that’s what he wanted to do, so, that’s what we got.
Missed: Jethro Tull, Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, Leah Flanagan, A French Butler Called Smith 
A Hard Rain did indeed fall, onto the black aromatic mud around the tents, and ponchos and umbrellas were produced as the roadies worked overtime to set up for Elvis Costello and the Impostors. Again the rousing cheers for the man in the hat taking the stage, but this time we could see him – even right at the back of the tents, thanks to the cameras and video screens. As the familiar pulsing bassline for “Pump It Up” started kicking the crowd into overdrive, Elvis blared out a few lines from “Subterranean Homesick Blues” – a perfect segue from one act to the next.
Elvis Costello is a consumate professional, and an incredibly skilled musician, and band leader. The Imposters (Keys/Theremin, Bass, Drums) were extremely tight and in tune with each other, and provided fantastic accompaniment to the man of the hour – dressed stylishly in paisley, looking fantastic.
And sounding fantastic too – Elvis is a hugely accomplished guitarist, and some of his solos were truly spectacular. But musicianship is only part of the puzzle – fortunately Elvis also had showmanship, generosity of spirit, and some killer songs all up his sleeve as well – Hits like Alison, Watching the Detectives, and Oliver’s Army had the crowd riled up and totally enthralled, and rocking along in the rain to Elvis’ beautiful, forcefully delivered voice.
Halfway through the show, Elvis brought onstage The Secret Sisters, two beautiful singers from Alabama, who had been performing earlier in the day, to lend their sweet harmonies to a couple of stripped back acoustic songs, including Hank Williams classic “Why Don’t You Love Me? – a country, thigh slapping, barn-raising moment, appreciated by all.
Missed:Irma Thomas Little Bushman, The Mad Bastard, Resin Dogs
And way too soon, the band had left the stage, and Bluesfest was over. (at least for me.) We found ourselves wandering through the mud, in awe of these last 5 days of incredible music, people and food, of mud and wellies, and “Excuse me Mate”. Of crazy smiling people, and clouds of pot smoke. Of wolf whistles, dancing hippies. Of “I wanna see Y’all JUMPING!”, and Trombones, and special guests. Of “One More Song!”
Exhausted, Nocturnal, and completely delighted.
[Each Easter Weekend, the most easterly point of Australia hosts a 5-day blues and roots festival that attracts some of the greatest names in music. Dubbed “Bluesfest“, the acts that are performing this year are amazing in their diversity and their talent. The biggest problem with a Festival this size, is determining exactly what to see, and more painfully, what to miss out on!]
Concert:Byron Bay Bluesfest 2011 – Day 4
Grace Barbe - Creole Daughter (with bunny ears)
The rain put in an appearance for the first time on Day 4, but it didn’t stay for long. A little bit more mud perhaps, but nothing that would prevent the seasoned four day festival veterans from their plans to hear some amazing music.
By all reports, Kate Miller Hiedke put on a great show, bringing her quirky brand of show tune pop – audiences were thoroughly amused and entertained, with her cover of Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady”, delivered in her characteristic, classically trained operatic voice being a highlight.
Irma Thomas is known as “The Soul Queen of New Orleans”, and she brought a small piece of Bourbon Street to Byron tonight, with an amazing backing band, and dazzling soul tunes that harken back to an earlier time, when things were perhaps less complicated. The crowd were amazingly into her show, as she belted out some of her classic tunes – When she called for people to wave their handkerchiefs for “Iko Iko”, I thought that there might be a shortage of handkerchiefs, in this disposable age – but no – handkerchiefs were produced en masse, and flag waving began across the crossroads tent in earnest, as Irma sang with amazing passion. After a heartfelt rendition of “Time is on my side”, she confessed that she had always refused to sing that song, because she felt that perhaps she wasn’t as young as she used to be. “Then I realised”, she told us, smiling, “That it’s true – Time is on my side, because I’m still here!” I was glad I was there, too.
Missed:Trinity Roots, Jeff Lang, Phil Jones & The Unknown Blues, Jackson Firebird
When I think about the word “Fusion” in terms of music, I’m reminded of Jazz Fusion – of bands like Weather Report, or Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew double LP. But I think what happened when that term became commonplace was that people were trying to describe a sound that was a fresh mix of old and new, of the familiar and the foreign. And fusion describes Grace Barbè Afro Kreol perfectly. Led by Grace Barbè, a charming,beautiful islander woman from the Seychelles, the band puts on an intricate, fun and engaging performance full of island reggae, creole rhythms, and complex, intense vocals in French, Creole and English. (Just for the record, I have never seen anyone play a more awesome triangle solo.) The whole tent was jumping and grooving to the thumping bass as the band played selections from their new CD, Creole Daughter, and made their way through a tribute medley of reggae songs from the islands, including Bob Marley and Musical Youth. An amazing, uplifting experience.
Missed:Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, Washington, Blind Boys of Alabama, Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Gurrumul, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu hails from Elcho Island, off the coast of Arnhem Land in Northern Australia. Blind from birth, his natural talent as a musician saw him join another Bluesfest act, The Saltwater Band, where his incredible singing voice was revealed. His solo show tonight was deeply reverent and intense. Singing in his native island dialect – a language few Bluefest patrons will have ever heard before, he sings with an achingly beautiful voice that soars high over his acoustic guitar – putting these ancient words into a modern context that makes them even more accesible and precious. As the set drew to an end, with Gurrumul’s last note drawn out over the enraptured crowd, there was a brief moment of almost transcendent silence as the beauty sank in to us all, before the tent thundered to life with applause and appreciation for this gifted, incredible musician.
Missed:Robert Randolph,Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, The RedEyes, The Snowdroppers
Man, did the crowd go crazy for The Cat Empire tonight. This Melbourne based band has become an institution at Bluesfest, and there were certainly some folks in the crowd whose dancing may land them in an institution at some point. The Cat Empire may be the only Prog Ska band in the world, and I have to admit, that, well – I didn’t get it. Was it supposed to be fun, funky ska songs we could dance to? Or was it more like a Grateful Dead style, jam band thing, with extensive indulgent solos over ska beats? Or was it a kind of singalong, showboat kind of a grown up Wiggles concert? To me it seemed to be all of these, randomly segueing from one to the next without any rhyme or reason.
Regardless of my confusion, folks around me seemed to be relishing the band. I snuck out past all of my new mates (“Sorry Mate!”,”Excuse me Mate!”, “Thanks Mate!”) to go take in the last part of the Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band’s set down on the Crossroads Stage. Holy Blues Explosion – these guys play with a ferocity and authenticity that is incredibly powerful. Sporting two incredible guitarists, and two equally formidable drummers, this band is a high intensity affair. Susan Tedeschi sings with the power of Three Dixie Chicks, and plays the most soulful lead guitar I have heard in a long, long while. Added to the mix, her husband Derek Trucks – the youngest musician to make Rolling Stone’s “Top 100 Guitarists of All Time”, who plays on the road with Eric Clapton and The Allman Brothers, in addition to his own band – and what we have here is a guitargasm the likes of which I have never heard before. Makes me want to go practice. Or quit. Amazing.
Missed:Cecilia Noel, Barrence Whitfield, Little Bushman
[Each Easter Weekend, the most easterly point of Australia hosts a 5-day blues and roots festival that attracts some of the greatest names in music. Dubbed “Bluesfest“, the acts that are performing this year are amazing in their diversity and their talent. The biggest problem with a Festival this size, is determining exactly what to see, and more painfully, what to miss out on!]
Concert: Byron Bay Bluesfest 2011 – Day 3
Don't take the Brown Acid!
Another day of perfect blue sky weather – the swell was up, the wind was off-shore, the water was warm, and the Byron BluesFest was in full swing as we fought back Festival Fatigue for another round of amazing performances.
Imogen Heap is one of those unique artists who’s medium happens to include music – one of those art-first artists. Although she’s very much herself, I was reminded of other like minded weirdos, such as Amanda Palmer, or Kate Bush. As she played us some of her eclectic tunes full of lively arrangements, cello, piano, and some fantastic new age synth sounds, the crowd was kind of stunned – in a good way. It’s clear that Imogen has some incredible musical chops – and she has an equally incredible pitch perfect voice. A strange choice perhaps, for Bluesfest – but a good one – aren’t we all here for a new experience?
I also snuck over to the Jamablaya stage to catch the opening few tunes from Tim Robbins & the Rogues Gallery Band. Once you get past the fact that yes, that is totally the guy from the Shawshank Redemption, what you find is some genuine easy going laid back folksy blues with heart and a social conscience. A cover of Tom Waits “All the world is Green” featuring the singing saw was really impressive.
Missed:Trombone Shorty, Phil Jones & The Unknown Blues, Hank Greens Blues
Hanging out at the Mojo Tent, I could hear Robert Randolph going off, big time over at the crossroads stage judging by the cheers of the crowd, and I was sorely tempted to scoot on over and join them – but then Wolfmother returned to the Bluesfest Mojo stage. I don’t know what this band would actually be doing if somebody hadn’t come up with music festivals. Wolfmother are a band that are made to play to big sweeping crowds, stadiums. The other thing that springs to mind whenever I see Andrew Stockdales mega-fro, is the question: Am I really supposed to take this band seriously? The hair, and the big, sweeping RAWK sound – long vamping solos, crunchy stompy distortion pedals. Wolfmother are the most cock-rock band I have ever seen – so much so that they are almost a parody of themselves. And the whole thing leaves me on a critical level, somewhat puzzled – but on a more primal level, I find myself punching the air, doing air guitar solos on my knees in the mud. Go figure.
Missed:Robert Randolph, Raul Malo, Grace Barbe Afro Kreol, Nat Col & the Kings
The Indigo Girls have been singing together for 25 years, and it’s clear that they are both still in fine voice. The duo sang their beautiful, inspirational tunes to a crowd of adoring fans – with just a couple of acoustic guitars and perfect harmonies, they were a long way from the preceeding act – back to campfire roots.
I also managed to take in Trinity Dub – a reggae/soul outfit from New Zealand – in fact one of NZ’s most successful recording artists of the 2000′s. There were more than a few Kiwi fans in the audience, cheering wildly as they busted out some huge dirty reggae grooves – the awesome fat basslines reverberating across the tent had the crowd enthusiastically bobbing their heads and smoking weed. (Actually, I don’t think that was really the band’s influence, folks probably would have done that anyway). With soaring three part harmonies, and tasty guitar licks, these guys are alright, bro.
Missed:Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi, BB & the Blues Shacks, Victor Valdes & the Marin Brothers
Having been blown away by Michael Franti and Spearhead’s Thursday night show, I was never going to miss a chance for a second. This longer set had all of the hallmarks of the first – bursting with positive energy, amazing musicianship, audience participation, and Michael Franti working the whole massive Crossroads tent, everyone jumping and waving and singing along. “The Sound of Sunshine” featured giant yellow balloons tossed around by the crowd – “Hey, Hey, Hey” saw Franti again disappear through the crowd to turn up in the center of the tent. All the while, the outpouring of love from the crowd was growing and growing. As one bare chested sweaty fan yelled at me “Can you feel the Franti-Love?” Oh yeah. We can feel it.
For the closing finale, Michael dragged all the young kids out of the audience on to the stage to dance as the whole tent danced and sang to “Say Hey” – a stripped back, acoustic, barn-stomping celebration of love:
I say hey, I be gone today
But I be back around the way
Seems like everywhere I go
The more I see, the less I know
But I know one thing, that I love you
I love you, I love you, I love you
If there is anything in the world than can make you forget your troubles, and lose yourself, to harness the power of music to transform your life, and to leave your soul refreshed and renewed, A Michael Frante & Spearhead concert has to be pretty close to the top of the list.
Missed:John Legend, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, The Bamboos, Blackbirds
[Each Easter Weekend, the most easterly point of Australia hosts a 5-day blues and roots festival that attracts some of the greatest names in music. Dubbed “Bluesfest“, the acts that are performing this year are amazing in their diversity and their talent. The biggest problem with a Festival this size, is determining exactly what to see, and more painfully, what to miss out on!]
