While Sose brought you the daily coverage of the 25th annual Bluesfest in Byron Bay, I was mainly out the back doing a series of interviews. You can see them posted periodically on the website, or you can check them all out HERE on our YouTube channel (there are THIRTY videos up for your enjoyment!). But I did see plenty of amazing acts along the way, too. It was five days of music after all! Here are my five highlights from the event, as well as a few observations about the changes they made to the event this year; things they did well and things they could do better for their 26th year!
5. Iron & Wine
Seeing Iron and Wine in full band mode was something special indeed. I only got to see snippets of both performances, but from Sam’s voice, to his showmanship and those songs (“Boy With a Coin”!? Come ON!)… every minute I spent with this band was a highlight of the event. And having seen Sam twice in solo mode (including at THIS Church performance), getting to see the tracks so fleshed out with his band was a phenomenal treat.
4. Beth Hart
One of the most talked about artists over the weekend was Beth Hart, a LA based artist who was touring Australia for the first time. After some success in the late 90’s (including a number one hit in New Zealand for “LA Song”), Beth battled through years of drug addiction before coming out the other side. She’s since worked with Joe Bonamassa, Jeff Beck and many more artists and her performances at Bluesfest showed us all why. Her lyrics are honest, her performance is well articulated and she’s got one hell of a voice. Here’s hoping we hear a lot more from her…
3. Buddy Guy
Even though he’s approaching 78, the man still has the voice, he still has the charm and he can still play some mean guitar. Plus, he has the songs to back it up, while also playing tribute to the greats to came before and even those who came after him. Buddy Guy IS the Blues, and it’s a honour to get to see the man perform.
2. The Doobie Brothers
Man did these guys rock it, or what! One of the finest live bands I’ve ever witnessed, and I really didn’t know what to expect from the group. Showmen in the most classic sense of the world, and incredible musicians, the band are tight and a blast to watch. Really glad I got the chance to see them, because they’re not the sort of band I would have taken the time to see otherwise. This is the great thing about Bluesfest! You get the opportunity to take a chance on something new. Well, in this case, old. But you know what I mean.
1. Dave Matthews Band
OK, so no surprises here for anyone who knows me, but they played two incredible sets at Bluesfest. The first included a lot of the “standards” from the band, while the second was a more “fan favourites” focused evening. The only disappointment was that they didn’t bring on more guests – nor even play to their 150 minute allotment either night (though 130+ minutes isn’t too shabby…). But seeing Warren Haynes perform “All Along The Watchtower” with the group is something I won’t soon forget. Here’s hoping some live recordings emerge for fans. “Crash Into Me” AND “Crush” IN THE SAME SET!? That was golden!! These were special performances indeed. No fan was left disappointed. And I’m sure they made a few new fans along the way, too…
And a few observations about the 2014 event…
– The long awaited additional car park exit did help considerably for getting out of Bluesfest if you drove in/out. The worst delays were on Saturday, but it only took us about 40 minutes (half of what it used to when things backed up) to get onto the highway. You would have had less luck if you were driving into Byron though. We’re told that backed up most nights!
– We were glad to see chairs banned from the main stages. The decision to put Bluesfest’s own chairs in carefully controlled areas at the back was a genius move; something you’d see at Jazz Fest in New Orleans. In general the crowd respected these changes and I think everyone was happier for it!
– The line of sight was terrible in the new Juke Joint and Cavanbah stages, even when you were up close, as the stage was at the same level as the crowd. Even dingiest club rooms provide elevation for the stage. Something to consider for next year.
– Likewise, it would help to bring the screens up on the main stages a little bit. In past years I swear it was easier to see the in a packed room.
– The new addition of the outdoor screens to the side of the two main tents, however, worked well for the people who did bring their chairs – turned it into a bit of a musical cinema!
– The Sunset Club was a great addition for VIP holders, however the elevated section to the left of the main stage seemed a bit redundant and was rarely used. We’re glad they opened up the tent more though by removing those platforms from within the tent… something which seemed similarly used to a limited extent last year.
– THE WEATHER! Not a drop of rain all weekend. The weather gods truly blessed us this year. I believe I even came back with a tan! A lot of dust to get out of my body though! Still, I’d rather that then jeans covered in mud.
For more of our 2014 Bluesfest Byron Bay coverage, head to our hub.
