The 33rd edition of the Byron Bay Bluesfest kicked off at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay yesterday and needless to say, the excitement was fever pitch. Once through the gates, there was no time to waste to catch as much of the action from Day 1 as possible.
Bob Marley’s music lives on through the spirit of The Wailers, who were the perfect start to the day. There were classic Wailers tracks and some new ones to get the crowd going.
Spinifex Gum is a choir of young indigenous female singers from Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait. With music from Cat Empire’s Felix Riebl and Ollie McGill, their performance was enchanting and incredibly moving. They had the audience spell-bound.
Tijuana Cartel blend sounds from the Middle East, India and Spain. Our reviewer Katelyn Rew describes their performance “… like a trip to the moon. Watching them perform is a whole-body experience that transports you. Paul’s skill on the guitar is unparalleled and time seems to slow as you watch him create art through his instrument.”
Tijuana Cartel
Caravana Sun had energy to burn. There was a buzz about them leading into the festival, and it became apparent why.
Finally, the headline act for Thursday night, was The Cat Empire, the final show for the current lineup. They have been a staple and fan-favourite of Bluesfest since very early on in their career, more than twenty years ago. It was the perfect venue for their swansong, and it was everything you would hope for.
There are still some tickets available – head to the official website HERE for details.
Check out the rest of Bruce’s photos from Day 1.
