By DOMINIC FEAIN
Bluesfest Day Five Wrap:
It was a fitting finale to one of the best ever Byron Bluesfests last night as the legendary Paul Simon capped off five days of extraordinary performances by countless artists across six stages.
Actually, that’s seven if you include the busking stage.
The Mojo tent was packed to overflowing with an all-ages crowd that was not only a testament to the enduring legacy of a musical icon, but also the festival organisers for once again staging a truly inclusive, cross-generational event.
Simon fans were enraptured by a set that included sixties and seventies folk classics like Sounds of Silence, and a selection from his new album, So Beautiful or So What.
But it was the songs from his phenomenal eighties album Graceland that got the crowd swooning.
The Mojo big top erupted in harmony as young and old sang along and danced to song after song from the African-infused folk rock classic.
Simon left the crowd begging for more and its pounding applause inspired several encores.
I can’t remember such a buzz emanating from a Bluesfest crowd spilling out of a late fifth day performance. Few festivals can sustain punters for such a length of time but this year’s incredible line-up powered most fans past the usual day-three fatigue point selling out the venue on several days.
This year’s Grammy Award winner Bonnie Waitt preceded Simon on the Mojo stage fulfilling the expectations of her adoring fans and winning over what seemed like many more.
A surprise guest appearance by soul queen Mavis Staples complimented Raitt’s blues/country style beautifully and enthralled the audience.
The sunshine returned for the final day lifting punters spirits and adding to the casual party-like feel for another line-up packed with popular Bluesfest veterans like Tony Joe White, Kim Churchill, Xavier Rudd and new favourites like Ben Caplin and Matt Anderson.
Organisers report brisk sales for next year’s Bluesfest reflecting the crowd’s satisfaction evident in the festival’s general buzz over the whole event.
After Simon closed the Mojo stage (who would want to follow him anyway), crowd favourites Wilco, Melbourne Ska Orchestra and The Bamboos carried the crowd over the finish line, closing the festival near midnight on the other three big stages with the same intensity it began with last week.
We can only wait and see if organisers can repeat this year’s success but for now, punters are packing up their tents, humming their new favourite tunes and heading home on the good vibes and the warm sense of satisfaction of an Easter well spent.
Visit Bluesfest Byron Bay Official Website here!
