Category Archives: April 2014

BLUESFEST 2014 WRAP UP!

Photo credit Evan Malcolm
Bluesfest 2014 Aerial Shot_photo credit Evan MalcolmIt’s a wrap – Three weeks on and Bluesfest is still on everyone’s lips and very much alive. The much awaited Bluesfest figures, facts and quotes have been released AND the results are not only hugely entertaining but truly fascinating. Kudos to Bluesfest for taking the time (in paradise) to collate them all.

The festival celebrated its 25th Anniversary over the Easter long weekend from 17th to 21st of April with a diverse blend of classic to contemporary artists performing awe-inspiring shows, delicious food and perfect weather with glowing reviews from both media and festival goers alike.
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April 2014, Bluesfest, Byron Bay, Review

Live Review | Groovin The Moo 2014 | Canberra

Review by Scott Singh
gtmAgain comes that time of year where a mixture of locals and people from out of the state come together for a chilly day of good music at Groovin The Moo 2014 held at The University of Canberra. There was a clear distinction of who was a local and who wasn’t based on the apparel worn to combat the weather. Though, despite where you came from, the festival provided enough musical diversity to satisfy anyone’s quota for the day.

To start the day, Sweet Shoppe opened with a short but tenderising set that did intrigue many festival goers as they started their day. With a hypoactive sounds that sports a gifted female vocalist, the set was a great representation of the local talent coming from Canberra. It is always encouraging when locals make the effort to come out and support the band they enjoy at the start of the day.
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April 2014, Festival, Groovin The Moo, Live Review, Review, Scott Singh

Live Review | The Wailers + Sly & Robbie & the Taxi Gang with Bitty Mclean @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney | April 19 2014

Review by Wanda Hill
THE WAILERS
The legendary Wailers played a mesmerizing set to a captivated audience at Sydney’s classic venue The Enmore Theatre. Hit song after hit song was played to perfection and delivered with passion, integrity and the magic that has captured fans of Bob Marley and Wailers, all over the world.

Bass player Aston “Family Man” Barrett is the foundation of the band having co-produced and played with Bob Marley and the Wailers throughout the 70’s, writing many of the world famous bass line grooves. Keeping this music alive and spreading the message and wisdom contained within the lyrics remains a strong focus for Aston.
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April 2014, Bluesfest, Live Review, Review, Sydney, Wanda Hill

Live Review | Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014 | Day 3 Wrap

dave matthews_poto by stuart blythe_9006

Day three of Bluesfest.

With the sunshine continuing to beam happily down of the festival and music filling the air, there is no better place to be than Bluesfest.

Some Of Our Day 3 Highlights

Kate Miller-Heidke delighted fans with an early afternoon set. Kate’s stunning looks matched with superbly written songs delivered with pitch perfect vocals made for a great start to the festival day.

Jimmie Vaughan stepped up to the plate and showed us why he’s one of the most respected blues guitarist around. Keeping it clean and clear his guitar spoke volumes and there was nothing you could do but sit back and soak up the sound.

If you wanted to get up and shake it, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 performance at the Mojo stage was the place to be. Kuti along with the band and the dancers took to the stage with their Afrobeat rhythms and it proved impossible not to get on your feet to jump and dance along.

A massive crowd assembled at the Mojo stage to witness John Butler Trio live and they were rewarded with a performance nothing short of amazing. Butler’s guitar work mesmerised throughout the set with clear fan favourites being “Ocean” and “Zebra”.

To say Dave Matthews Band blew the roof of the Mojo stage would be an understatement. Playing for almost three hour takes some doing but the crowd loved every moment. To top things off, Warren Haynes also made an appearance, joining the band on stage and playing a cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower”… magic!

Day 4 headliners include Erykah Babu, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Govt Mule, Jimmie Vaughan, Ozomatli and many more! It’s a huge day and we recommend you get in early to also check out a few of the early performances.

Here’s a few suggestions:
Kim Churchill, C.W Stoneking, Foy Vance, Kasey Chambers, Tim Rogers… just to name a few.
Byron Bay Bluesfest
Day 3 – April 19, 2014

Visit www.bluesfest.com.au for all festival information and updates.

Kate Miller-Heidke_8755_photo by stuart blythe

April 2014, Bluesfest, Brandon Blythe, Byron Bay, Festival, Live Review, Review, Stuart Blythe

Live Review | Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014 | Day 2 Wrap

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Day two of Bluesfest.

For day 2 of Bluesfest we were blessed with beautiful weather to set the mode of the day.

Once again impressed with the festival layout that offers easy access to all stages, along with plenty of food stalls and bars, plenty of shelter *should you need it*, amenities aplenty. Overall verdict… fantastic!

Some Of Our Day 2 Highlights

Having seen Tijuana Cartel perform a number of times over the past few years, we were eager to arrive early and catch their 12:30pm set at the Mojo stage. Their style of infused Latin American/Afro Cuban break beat + world music was the perfect way to start the festival day and get you up and dancing.
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April 2014, Bluesfest, Brandon Blythe, Byron Bay, Festival, Live Review, Review, Stuart Blythe

Live Review | Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014 | Day 1 Wrap

john mayer - photo stuart blythe
This year is the 25th Anniversary of Byron Bay Bluesfest and possibly the biggest Bluesfest held to date. Arriving at the festival you immediately realise the size and scale of the event. Huge camping areas teaming with festival goers, friendly volunteers directing cars to parking areas and spreading an infectious happiness to all that pass by. The music emanating from the venue as you approach the gates. The blended aromas of various cuisines wafting from the food stalls and the overall “feel good” vibe in the air.
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April 2014, Bluesfest, Brandon Blythe, Byron Bay, Festival, Live Review, Review, Stuart Blythe
April 2014, Bluesfest, Byron Bay, Festival, Photos, Stuart Blythe

Photo Gallery | Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014

Gallery

Photographer: Stuart Blythe
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Live Review | Killswitch Engage + Kill Devil Hill @ UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney | April 12, 2014

Words and Pics: Ben Hosking – www.hoskingindustries.com.au
2014_KillswitchEngage_09-L
Last time this reviewer was lucky enough to see Killswitch Engagewas at what was then called the Forum at Moore Park (now the HiFi). It was a sideshow to another festival and the bill included Divine Heresy and Shadows Fall. It was a remarkable show housed within a diminutive venue when the band was fronted by the mighty Howard Jones – who, at one point in the show climbed the speaker stack and proceeded to fall into the crowd below. The anticipation level was high for tonight’s show.
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April 2014, Ben Hosking, Live Review, Review, Sydney