Tag Archives: Ant Ritz

Live Review + Photos: Byron Bay Bluesfest – Monday 01 April 2024

Review by Wanda Hill
Photos by Ant Ritz

Byron Bay Bluesfest

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 2024

Live Review + Photos: Byron Bay Bluesfest – Saturday 30 March 2024

Review by Wanda Hill
Photos by Ant Ritz

Byron Bay Bluesfest

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 2024

Live Review + Photos: Byron Bay Bluesfest – 28-29 March 2024

Review 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 2024

Photo Gallery: Bluesfest Byron Bay 2023 – Day 5

Photos by Ant Ritz Photography/Rock Shots

featuring Beth Hart – Bonnie Raitt – Coterie – The Cat Empire – Nikki Hill – Trombone Shorty – Michael Franti and Spearhead

Bonnie Raitt at Bluesfest – 10th April 2023
Beth Hart at Bluesfest – 10th April 2023
Continue reading Photo Gallery: Bluesfest Byron Bay 2023 – Day 5

Photo Gallery: Bluesfest Byron Bay 2023 – Day 4

Photos 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

Yirrmal at Bluesfest – 9th April 2023
Tash Sultana at Bluesfest – 9th April 2023
Continue reading Photo Gallery: Bluesfest Byron Bay 2023 – Day 4

Live Review: Bluesfest Byron Bay 2023 – Day 3

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 3

Photo Gallery: Bluesfest Byron Bay 2023 – Day 3

Photos 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

Buddy Guy at Bluesfest – Sat 8th April 2023
Continue reading Photo Gallery: Bluesfest Byron Bay 2023 – Day 3

Photo Gallery: Bluesfest Byron Bay 2023 – Day 2

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

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram at Bluesfest Byron Bay – 7th April 2023
Continue reading Photo Gallery: Bluesfest Byron Bay 2023 – Day 2

Live Review: Bluesfest Byron Bay 2023 – Day 1

Review by Wanda Hill
Photos by Ant Ritz Photography/Rock Shots

My favorite time of year is here again, where no bigger decision needs to be made other than – what band should I go see now? A fantasy life for five days where Bluesfest serves up an irresistible menu of musical treats. With a plethora of choices laid out before me, I just need to wander around and discover music, new and old to love. Lured in by hot organ sounds I found Southern Avenue at the Juke Joint, just in time for a wicked drum solo by Tikyra Jackson. This band has a big Memphis funk sound with vocalist Tierinii Jackson wielding a powerful voice that can do anything. A perfect initiation into what promises to be another soul shaking festival.   

Check out the Photo Gallery: Bluesfest Byron Bay 2023 – Day 1

Continue reading Live Review: Bluesfest Byron Bay 2023 – Day 1

Photo Gallery: Bluesfest Byron Bay 2023 – Day 1

Photos by Ant Ritz Photography/Rock Shots

featuring Eric Gales – Nikki Hill – Kaleo – Paolo Nutini – St. Paul and The Broken Bones – Lucinda Williams – Dog Trumpet – LP – The Angels – Frank Sultana – Greensky Bluegrass

Eric Gales at Bluesfest Byron Bay – 6th April 2023

Read our Live Review: Bluesfest Byron Bay 2023 – Day 1

Continue reading Photo Gallery: Bluesfest Byron Bay 2023 – Day 1

Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2019

Photographer : Ant Ritz

Featuring (in alphabetic order) : Colin Hay, Danny Spencer, David Gray, Deva Mahal, Fantastic Negrito, Gary Clark Jr., Ian Moss, I’m With Her, Imelda May, Irish Mythen, Jack Johnson, Jack White, The Saboteurs, Julia Stone, Keb Mo, Kurt Vile, Larkin Poe, Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul, ‎Little Georgia, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Mavis Staples, Melody Angel, Miss Velvet and the Blue Wolf, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Ocean Alley, Paul Kelly, Ray Lamontagne, Richard Capton, Ruthie Foster, Samantha Fish, Shakey Graves, Tex Perkins, The Marcus King Band, The War and Treaty, Tommy Emmanuel, Vintage Trouble

Bluesfest Byron Bay 2019
Photographer : Ant Ritz

Click here for more Bluesfest reviews and photos…
Bluesfest : www.bluesfest.com.au

Photographer : Ant Ritz

Continue reading Photo Gallery : Bluesfest Byron Bay 2019

Photo Gallery : Red Hot Summer Tour at Kiama – 3 March 2019

Photographer : Ant Ritz

Red Hot Summer Tour at Kiama – 3 March 2019
Photographer : Ant Ritz

Red Hot Summer Tour at Kiama – 3 March 2019
http://www.redhotsummertour.com.au

Featuring : Suzi Quatro, The Angels, Baby Animals, The Screaming Jets, Jon Stevens, Moving Pictures, Chocolate Starfish
Continue reading Photo Gallery : Red Hot Summer Tour at Kiama – 3 March 2019