Byron Bay put on two more perfect days of warm weather and sunshine for day four and five of Bluesfest 2014, with a huge line-up of world class artist on the bill.
My only dilemma was that I was not going to see them all.
I spent days 4 and 5 sifting between four of the seven stages the MOJO, CROSSROADS, JAMBALAYA and DELTA stages. I would have loved to get to the smaller stages, Cavanbah, Juke Joint and Busking Stage, but there was just too much happening at the other stages.
Some of the many highlights for me over the final two days, just to name a few were 17 year old blues guitarist Matthew Curry, this kid is absolutely sensational and Nahko and Medicine For The People –‘wow’.
Nahko and Medicine For The People
… Passenger’s set on Sunday night was stunning,
Passenger
… old favourite Terrance Simien at his Zydeco best, Gov’t Mule, man seeing these guys live for the first time was the biggest thrill for me as well as the class and talent of India Arie,
India Arie
… Joss Stone …
Joss Stone of course … stunning, just stunning …
… and Erykah Badu.
.. then the likes of Michael Franti …
Michael Franti
… and The Dave Mathews band who just set the festival on fire.
This year’s Bluesfest was a music lovers paradise, with a massive, 107 artists covering an eclectic range of genres and like every year I’ve been, full of new discoveries and surprises. One of the biggest surprises for me was KC and the Sunshine Band … I was not sure what to expect but was not disappointed … they were fantastic. Loved ’em.
In reality Bluesfest nailed it, KC and the Sunshine Band …
… had the 10,000 strong crowd at Crossroads up on their feet dancing to every tune and just quietly I was one of them.
The Bluesfest turned 25 this year and Sunday night saw Festival Director Peter Noble, Festival Manager Annika Oman and many of the Bluesfest staff join festival favourite’s Playing For Change on Stage to sing a Happy Birthday and share some cake with the crowd to celebrate.
All up we were treated to 5 days of world class music and stunning weather, the Bluesfest well deserves it’s crown as Australia’s premier music festival in fact I would say one of the world’s best.
Tickets are on sale now for Bluesfest 2015 at www.bluesfest.com.au, with early bird tickets available for a short time at $375.00 for a five day pass which is exceptional value for money.