Review by Wanda Hill
Shake up your juju, power up your mojo, get your stars aligned and come for the ride that is Bluesfest 2025. Saturday and Sunday were full tilt jammed up with people loving the weekend offerings. What a way to spend a precious few days of holiday being surrounded by artists who have found their voice, internal fire and instruments of choice with which to share their insights for all to be grooved and enlightened by. Thousands came to have their hearts soothed, vibes raised, joints loosened and greased by this musical manna for the body and soul.
I feel for you Chaka Khan and clearly many others do too… How awesome are you rocking 50 plus years of genre breaking hits. Every pore space was filled with love for you last night at the Mojo as some of us relived our teenage years with your 80’s solo classics. Kasey Chamber’s set started sombre and deep filled with Bill Chambers signature lap steel playing recent releases but quickly transitioned to back catalogue favourites. Sharing her wonderful sense of humour as she suggested that anyone who doesn’t like her older ‘screechy’ vocal style should take a toilet break now while she performs her formative songs.
Gifted storyteller and singer Fanny Lumsden shared tales of country living, caravan adventures and of writing a pre-emptive eulogy song for the price of two loads of wood and a cow. Professing to deliver ‘gateway’ country music she got the crowd line dancing a sway type dance and was genuinely surprised how well this was executed by her audience.
Cimafunk brought Cuba to Tyagarah with shatteringly magnificent blends of Cuban rhythms, funk and a splash of rap. No bone was unshaken no muscle unmoved as they took control of our senses. Home grown Lachy Doley Group had a similar effect with slightly more of a soul infusion creating magic with the Hammond organ.
Musicians change lives delivering messages we all need to hear. Miss Kaninna stood strong showing everyone what it is like to own your-self, your heritage, your influence, your grace and un-ashamedly be exactly who you want and need to be. A fearless warrior for human rights here at home and abroad Miss Kaninna deftly weaved hard hitting truth between banging beats and booty grinding basslines. Masterful in multiple genres Miss Kaninna also took us out to the club with her sexy as fuck vibes. A truly brilliant songwriter and performer delivering education, empowerment in the most moving and fun way…Miss Kaninna please don’t let anyone shut you down, stay loud, really loud! An unforgettable Bluesfest debut with two powerful shows over Saturday and Sunday.
Gently dancing up the dust with RY X and his atmospheric vocals, plucking guitar and ambient beats provided a chill moment to rest in the mood lighting for a while, take a few breaths and process the magnitude of being surrounded by such talent. Coolest cat on the bill was Gary Clark JR taking us deep into blues spaces ecstatic and sublime. Forging new directions with these timeless sounds Gary Clark JR and his band are charting new territory for the blues genre.
With so many exciting artists on the bill it’s impossible to see and mention them all. The love was out there for Bluesfest regulars Xavier Rudd, John Butler Trio and Crowded House making moving about the festival and finding premium listening spots the challenge of the day. Pretty sure it was demand for the Hilltop Hoods that slowed downed the highway flow filling carparks beyond capacity.
Grateful to have another epic Bluesfest ritual completed. It’s a special experience to be part of such a warm-hearted music loving community of people from all over the globe for a few magic days each year. Thank you Bluesfest, looking forward to many more.