Photography by Ant Ritz Photography
Featuring 19-Twenty, Allison Russell, Bill Chambers, BJ The Chicago Kid, Chaka Khan, Cimafunk, Hussy Hicks, John Butler, Kasey Chambers, Kim Churchill, Missy Higgins, Miss Kaninna, Neal Francis, Rag’n’Bone Man, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Roshani, WILSN
Photography by Ant Ritz
Featuring Allison Russell, BJ The Chicago Kid, C.W. Stoneking, Clarence Bekker, Gary Clark Jr., Marc Broussard, Melody Angel, RY X, The Cat Empire, The Memphis Three – Fiona Boyes, The Memphis Three – Frank Sultana, The Memphis Three – Jimi Hocking, Vance Joy, WILSN, Xavier Rudd
Photography by Ant Ritz
Featuring Ash Grunwald, Brad Cox, Budjerah, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Christopher Cross, Fanny Lumsden, Gary Clark Jr., George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Maoli, Marc Broussard, Melody Angel, Taj Farrant, The Beards, Pierce Brothers, Tom Morello, Toto
Review by Wanda Hill
Photos by Ant Ritz
A vigorous end to the 35th Bluesfest was had with Californian band Infectious Grooves powering up the Mojo with unprecedented levels of exhilaration and raw energy. Front man Mike Muir (also from Suicidal Tendencies) spoke between songs, espousing living life your own way and the benefits of abstaining from alcohol. Hardcore motivational speaking between funk/metal masterpieces that are a rare treat stylistically for Bluesfest. Festival director Peter Noble was down the front enjoying the final night’s headline act. Clearly his passion for music across a diverse range of genres is what makes his musical curation such a success year after year. Bassist extraordinaire Rob Trujillo (current Metallica and former Suicidal Tendencies) brought his signature heavy yet deeply funky basslines to the show, and towards the end of the set his son Tye Trujillo (current Suicidal Tendencies) also a bass player of phenomenal skill, joined the band on stage for double delivery of bass brilliance.
Continue reading Live Review + Photos: Byron Bay Bluesfest – Monday 01 April 2024Review by Wanda Hill
Photos by Ant Ritz
Great to witness some new to Bluesfest artists performing over the weekend. The Jambalaya was alive with powerful female vocalists this easter Sunday. Fresh Australian talent WILSN blew everyone away with the beauty and clarity of her tone. Citing a few years living in Nashville as seminal in her song writing development. She is back in Australia now sharing her contemporary soul music with new audiences. Don’t miss the opportunity to see her emerging brilliance 5pm today at the Delta stage.
Continue reading Live Review + Photos: Byron Bay Bluesfest – Sunday 31 March 2024 Review by Wanda Hill
Photos by Ant Ritz
Saturday Night Bluesfest 2024
Big bands and big personalities were the flavour of Saturday night. Age is no impediment to pulling a crowd at Bluesfest. Tom Jones had the lion’s share of the festival crowd donning portable camp chairs at the Crossroads, while he sang Sex Bomb and other hits to the largest audience so far at this year’s festival. At 83, women are still throwing their underwear at him. The Blind Boys of Alabama joined him on stage for a few songs making the one man show a more collaborative experience. With that much love in the room for one man he must be able to float to his next show. An aeroplane is probably unnecessary.
Continue reading Live Review + Photos: Byron Bay Bluesfest – Saturday 30 March 2024Review by Wanda Hill
Photos by Ant Ritz
Celebrating 35 years of Byron Bay Bluesfest
With recent seminal festival cancelations front of mind, celebrating 35 years of Byron Bay’s Bluesfest really is a remarkable achievement. In a press conference yesterday Peter Noble announced that the 36th Byron Bay Bluesfest will be a four rather than a five day event next year, to help ease music industry pressures and ensure continued delivery of the regions premiere world class music event.
The 2024 iteration started in glorious sunshine and good vibes. The thinner crowds of Thursday night enabled friends to find each other easily amidst a sense of being in a magical place for a marathon of music. The sunset obliged filling the sky with golds and reds, illuminating the feelings of happiness oozing from the venue.
Continue reading Live Review + Photos: Byron Bay Bluesfest – 28-29 March 2024Photos by Ant Ritz Photography/Rock Shots
featuring Aaron West’s Blues Guitar Junket – Frank Sultana Blues Band – Mescalito Blues – Mike Elrington – Steph Strings – The Turner Brown Band
Photos by Ant Ritz Photography/Rock Shots
featuring Beth Hart – Bonnie Raitt – Coterie – The Cat Empire – Nikki Hill – Trombone Shorty – Michael Franti and Spearhead
Review by Wanda Hill
Photos by Ant Ritz Photography/Rock Shots
featuring Bonnie Raitt – Trombone Shorty& Orleans Avenue – The Cat Empire – Mavis Staples – Yirrmal – Michael Franti and Spearhead – Tash Sultana
The final two days of Bluesfest had a bit of a wild west feeling going on, with autumnal tones, dusty grounds and police people riding around on horseback occasionally, looking very relaxed about the state of affairs at the festival. This may have been the calmest Bluesfest I have ever witnessed, well suited to the sweet sounds of Tash Sultana’s voice gracing the air waves on Sunday night. There never seemed to be a hassle lining up for anything or finding a good spot to dance.
Continue reading Live Review: Bluesfest Byron Bay 2023 – Day 4 & 5Photos by Ant Ritz Photography/Rock Shots
featuring Michael Franti – 19-Twenty – Julz Parker (Hussy Hicks) – Ash Grunwald – Backsliders – Bobby Alu – Chris Cheney – Eugene Hideaway Bridges – Femi Kuti & The Positive Force – Julia Zemiro (Rockwiz) – Nikki Hill – Roshani – Steve Poltz – Tash Sultana – Yirrmal
Review by Wanda Hill
Photos by Ant Ritz Photography/Rock Shots
Last night the Crossroads became Buddy Guy’s intimate lounge room for a few hours where the many thousands gathered, were treated to a warm and humorous insight into the world of this 86 year’s young, blues legend. He warned ‘if you don’t like Blues you’re in the wrong fucking house, I’m going to play something so funky you can smell it.’ He played many of his own songs and those of other legends he has influenced, interspersed with cheeky stories. After playing Hoochie Coochie Man he observed how Hip Hop has changed the musical landscape and ‘you can say whatever the fuck you want now’ not holding back on any details with his lyrics and stories. Playing with not just his well worn hands, but his sleeve, overall front, teeth and towards the end walking right out into the the audience, letting kids play his guitar, giving old and new fans the experience of a life time. As he promised at the start of the show ‘I don’t get out here very often, so I’m going to give you the best that I got.’
Continue reading Live Review: Bluesfest Byron Bay 2023 – Day 3Photos by Ant Ritz Photography/Rock Shots
featuring Adam Duritz – Allison Russell – Buddy Guy – Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – Clarence Bekker – Eric Gales – Frank Turner – Jackson Browne – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Joe Bonamassa – 19-Twenty – Lisa Hunt – Marcus King – Nikki Hill – Vintage Trouble
Photos by Ant Ritz Photography/Rock Shots
featuring 19-Twenty – Bud Rokesky – Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – Daniel Champagne – Keb’ Mo’ – Larkin Poe – Marcus King – Paolo Nutini – Ray Beadle – Round Mountain Girls – Steve Earle – Vintage Trouble – Yirrmal
