It’s been eight long years since Perth had its last West Coast Blues and Roots Festival so it was extra special to see such a great turnout for our very first ‘Bluesfest Perth’ in the heart of the Swan Valley wine region at Nikola Estate. Patrons were treated to a wonderful day across three stages that not only showcased some of the big names that will play the Byron Bay Bluesfest over the Easter weekend but also some great local talent. If you weren’t there, then on the basis of this year’s event I’ll see you next year. ‘Bluesfest Perth’ has something for everyone from your traditionalists to those who love their music a little poppier. This year The Rockpit Team was there to see every act on the bill.
The best thing about this first year of Bluesfest is the carefully created line-up – there’s a great mix of veterans and first timers and a wonderful mix across the three stages of local and international acts with most on the second stage more than capable of holding their own with the main stage line-up. The crowd this year was very good natured and a great mix of young and old that reflected the diversity of artists and food was aplenty, the queues were short and it all went to make a wonderful day where the music was king.
Ben Catley
As the fans enter the main gates, we are greeted to the sound of ‘world travelled’ Ben Catley live on stage 3. His energy permeates through the faithful as they flood down-hill to get themselves accustom to their surroundings. His beats infectious as he draws his prey closer and closer before biting them with the ‘Bluesfest 2023’ bug. It is going to be an immersive day – The Bluesfest team have chosen well to get Ben to open.
Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges
Starting out on the main stage veteran Bluesman Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges took to his chair with a backing band that looked like they were born to play the Blues. Eugene of course is no stranger to these shores and Bluesfest might just be his 30th visit. It’s great to see the man on the big stage perform songs that are clearly meaningful to him and in a tight set that you wish would never end we get a wonderfully Bluesy set laced with gospel ad a wonderful tour around the Blues World.
Roshani
Roshani proved that, as we all knew, Blues is not just an old man’s game . Her mix of styles and especially her take on Robert Johnson surprised a few and brought a few huge smiles to the rapidly growing crowd. If you love your Blues and Soul fresh and with a wonderfully refreshing twist then hearing her take on Rufus and Chaka Khan’s ‘Ain’t Nobody’
19 TwentyA formidable foe at “Bluesfest” Perth – the best way I can describe them is a “Rock and Blues” version of the “Living End” right down to the double bass. To be honest I am curious as to why they are on so early in the set …. But I know it is to get the crowd fired up….because they do it so well. I have seen them before and loved every minute of it, their performance is best described as ADHD lighting in a bottle whilst standing on a double-bass. Heavy bass-lines, killer drum solos, pick blowing riffs with a dash of humour. Kane, John and Jeremy definitely entertain and won over a few more new fans.
Blue Shaddy
Blue Shaddy are arguably one of Perth’s most loved Blues and Roots acts and have a wonderful history – playing the very first West Coast Blues and Roots Festival back in 2004. Despite a few early technical difficulties that give ‘harpsman’ Graham McClelland a nice cameo, we’re soon fired up for a raucous set. Jim, Sandy and the band show that they now how to fire up a crowd.
Boox KidFirst nation signer song writer sensation Boox kid drew the crowd in like a moth to a flame. Punters pulled up and grabbed a piece of grass to be brought on a musical journey. Boox kid has a huge following in Perth and you can see why he has supported some massive acts like George Ezra, Hoodoo Gurus etc. Sharp vocals (as always) coupled with some amazing string works from Johann Kim (violin) made it a mesmerizing set. Love “the Battle” – one of my favourites.
Siobhan CotchinBrought her beautiful sultry tones to the “BluesFest” by the bucket load, her songs are carefully crafted to extract pure emotion and it is easy to see why at such a young age Siobhan is leading the charge in the Australian scene. Supporting such artists as Bob Evans, Spacey Jane and The Kill Devil Hills you could see why she was such a perfect fit for this huge event, this was reflected by the massive crowd that watched her set.
VdelliYou can see why Vdelli are so popular with the European Festival audiences, Mixing a wonderful amount of Hard Rock with their Blues their execution is perfect and they draw a huge crowd to the third stage. Perth has some wonderful musical talent and none finer I’d wager than these guys and whether you saw them today or catch them live in the wild you never get anything less than perfection. Today’s set is a masterclass of Blues rock by one of the finest in the business.
Abbe MayAbbe May has to suffer the ‘clash of the day’ as she starts her set at exactly the same time as ‘Kingfish’ but it doesn’t deter those that know her work. Abbe is in fine form today too and another act that shows what a wealth of real talent we have in W.A. It’s a wonderfully amped up and noisy set that has the crowd enthralled from go to woah! It’s great to see female talent represented at Festivals like this and May deserves her top billing she has the songs and has the sheer grit and determination to do anything that she wants.
Russell Morris
Back on stage two Russell Morris brought the perfect balance of old and new, mixing his newer Blues with the songs from the 70’s that ‘his Dad used to play’, reminding us that he is after all only 54 and way too young to have played classics like set closer ‘The Real Thing.’ Morris is the perfect choice for a Festival like this as not only does he have the charm and stage presence to light up a crowd even with a few old cheesy jokes he has the musical vocabulary to speak to those that love the Blues and those that only know him for ‘his Dad’s stuff’. In a day of great performances Russell was one of the real highlights of the Festival.
Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram
For me, the act of the day was over on stage two where Kingfish held court. In short of you love the Blues then Kingfish was sublime and the musicianship flawless. For a young man of 24 to have this kind of talent is incredible and if his guitar isn’t enough, to be blessed with that voice too! And man the emotion you can wring out of a guitar: he made it sing and made it weep and no one was left unmoved!
Jessica Mauboy
Stage 2 was jam packed, fans waiting to see Jess tear it apart. The rest of Jess’s team poised and ready to kick off – they were just waiting on their captain to give the order. The lights dipped and stage 2 erupted as Jess swanned out dressed in an amazing matching jacket and pant number. Jess was delivering style to the masses at “Bluesfest” in the form of fashion and music. The crowd were in sync with the energy that was oozing from the young performer, so many people dancing and enjoying the fast pace. It was a distinct balance of fast with slower (songs) allowing the energy of the whole performance to be absorbed. The vocal range of Jess is mind-blowing, no one can doubt her ability even in an open air festival setting – the performance was crisp and on-point resulting in enjoyment had by all!!!! I wondered why Jess had been included in the Festival to begin with as her background and noted ability didn’t lend itself to “Blues” but as usual Jess showed us that it is just another string to her already impressive bow.
Back on the main there was plenty more action…
John Butler
Sauntering on stage like a proud student who has just scored 100% on an impossible test with a cheeky smile plastered over his face. John sits down surround by the tools of his trade…. Ready to show us (the fans) what years of refining his profession sound like. He grabs our hand and leads us down his path of back catalogue wonders, stopping every now and then to smell the lyrical roses. The conversation is open but personal, even to this massive crowd….. I really do feel like me and John are talking “politics” at a table in a kitchen (hard to explain but that is how it feels) and his music is the soundtrack to this unique moment. Highlight for me was when the whole crowd sang along with “Better than” a most fitting song for his set. Happy 48th Birthday by the way.
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Michael and Spearhead Busted onto the stage to a thunderous applause, the energy had just lifted to another level. All of the available space along the rail had evaporated like a puddle on a warm summer’s day. The gaps replaced by smiling fans eager to catch the eye of the performers and celebrate that moment in time. These champions have a huge following here in Australia and it is not hard to see why with such positive and uplifting songs. Their performance was so punchy and upbeat… almost uplifting, you almost lose yourself in their music, it is so refreshing to see so many people just loving the moment. Highlight for me was when Michael got a fan on stage to sing with him….. that moment, that fan will never forget…… amazing, it was a powerful moment in the festival. Long after the set people were still smiling.
The Doobie Brothers
Not many bands get to hang around in music for 50 years without being rather special, and tonight The Doobies who are celebrating their 50th Anniversary were everything you imagine they could be. With Tom Johnson, Michael McDonald, Pat Sions and John McFee back on the road together for the first time in over 25 years it was great to see them all share the stage. The Doobies did of course play the old West Coast Blues and Roots back in 2014 but this is the line-up everyone was here to see.
The set draws a massive response from the audience as we flash through 50 years of history in what seems like the blinking of an eye. There’s singing and dancing in the crowd all set long and of course when they pull out the big guns like you know why these guys are headlining.
At the end of the day this was a glorious first year and Bluesfest and Mellen Events should be very proud of how it all rolled out. Perth needs an Annual Festival like this that brings the best to the West and supports the local music scene too. This event pitched it perfectly, and whilst of course I would have loved to have seen bands like Jason Isbell, St Paul and the Broken Bones, Eric Gales and Larkin Poe (All of whom we’ve been championing for years) come out West it just shows with the likes of ‘Kingfish’ and ‘Roshani’ that there of plenty of young artists out there to check out. Music is a wonderful healer and there wasn’t a patron who didn’t get more than they hoped for I’m sure. Set your calendars for 2024!
Photos & review by Mark Diggins & Rossco Hunter
