Back to the Roots of Music ~ Byron Bay Bluesfest 2016

Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton
A young man playing “Old Man Blues”: “Blind Boy” Paxton plays both old and original acoustic music in the American-roots traditions of ragtime, hokum, French reels, Appalachian mountain music, and classic blues.

“Harts” and The Crowd
As you can see, even with five undercover stages, a small busking stage, and various roving acts, the tents get crowded early. One of four artists to launch the 2016 performances in the main tents on the Thursday, Darren Hart, known as “Harts”, was already commanding an audience when we arrived.

Darren Hart: “Harts”
This young Indian-born Melbourne-based multi-instrumentalist composes, produces, and records his own music in his bedroom studio. Known for his blend of funk, pop, rock and soul – and his Hendrix-like guitar –  Harts came to the attention of Prince, who flew him out to his US studios last year. Open Harts’ link (www.hartsmusic.com) for a sample.

Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton
Completely different, but almost as young and equally terrific, “Blind Boy” Paxton grew up listening to early American music, old Cajun, and country blues. Another multi-instrumentalist, as well as singing he plays banjo, guitar, piano, fiddle, harmonica, Cajun accordion, and the bones (percussion).

Rhiannon Giddens
Also a serious student of what she calls “American roots” music, Rhiannon was a founding member of the Grammy-award winning Carolina Chocolate Drops before branching out on her own.

Rhiannon Giddens
Her wonderful voice ranged across songs by Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, and others, as she switched from traditional banjo to violin and back again.

Hussy Hicks
Hussy Hicks, with their soaring vocals and virtuoso guitar…

Julz Parker
… have their grounding closer to home in Australian roots, “old skool blues”, and country.

Julz Parker
They are sometimes billed as a “progressive folk duo”, possibly because of their seamless harmonies and the “honest” story-telling and social commentary of their lyrics, …

Leesa Gentz
… but it was the torch-singer heft and range of Leesa’s voice which literally gave me goosebumps.

Father Parker
Musical talent doesn’t come out of a vacuum; Julz Parker’s dad joined the women on stage with his harmonica for a number.

Emma Donovan
As part of the renowned Australian musical Donovan family, Indigenous singer-songwriter Emma Donovan first sang in public at age seven. She draws on R&B, soul, country, reggae styles for her songs of urban aboriginal life – often in her mother’s traditional language.

Arakwal Opening Ceremony
Its hard to get more “back to roots” than with music, song, and dance from the people who’s ancestors have lived in the Byron Bay area for at least 22,000 years.

Arakwal Opening Ceremony
Rhythm sticks are a big part of the cultural story-telling tradition …

Didgeridoo
… as of course, is the didgeridoo.

Arakwal Dancer
The dancers perform traditional stories: “Our relationship with this Country is more than just a place to live. It’s the living, breathing source of all life, our spiritual home and home of our ancestors’ spirits.”

East Journey under Lights
Bridging Aboriginal culture and more modern music, East Journey, from Arnhem Land in the vast wilderness that is the northeast corner of Australia, combine tradition Aboriginal sounds with rock and reggae.

East Journey
Like their mentors, breakthrough band of the mid-80s Yothu Yindi, East Journey used traditional and modern instruments, and sing in local language and English.

East Journey
They also share a respect and admiration for Bob Marley, showing the influence of his ideals and music.

Archie Roach
With his musical roots in country, Indigenous singer-songwriter Archie Roach – one of the grand masters of Australian music – sings heart-rending tales of his experiences as one of Australia’s Stolen Generation, and of later years living rough.

Lukas Nelson
The musical credentials of Lukas Nelson, son of American country icon Willie Nelson, are unquestionable.

Lukas Nelson
Billed as “Cowboy Hippy Surf Rock”, Nelson, with his band Promise of the Real (POTR) and his brother Micah Nelson, provided backing for the legendary Neil Young on his last album and tour.

The Wailers
It seemed fitting – in a festival where many of the Indigenous artists made reference to Bob Marley and his belief in the unity of African people worldwide – that the last set we participated in on our first day was The Wailers performing Exodus.

Melvin Glover
Their distinctive reggae rhythms were a smooth and soothing end to the day …

Dwayne “Danglin” Anglin and Cegee Victory
… as the whole crowd sang along to familiar and well-loved songs.