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Lukas Nelson
This is a live-act I never tire of: I’ve seen Lukas Nelson and the POTR at a number of Bluesfests, and they always deliver.
It is addictive: five days of quality blues-and-roots (and beyond) musicians from around the world, all in one family-friendly location.
There were so many international performers to choose from at this year’s Easter long-weekend Byron Bay Bluesfest that I’ve broken my posts into sections (see: Spotlight on International Performers; Old Rockers, Punk and Protest) – and, there were many, many more I didn’t see. With five-or-more artists performing at any given time in the giant festival pavilions at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, one truly is spoilt for choice.
I revel in the opportunity to drift in and out of tents until I find “new” favourites to add to the “old” sounds I love. I’ve said it before: the performers that stand out the most for me are often those that I wouldn’t seek out on my own.
A number of the international artists that I sampled this year were from Ireland and the British Isles; the rest were American – mostly Southern – but they were all different. And they were all good – even though some were more to my taste than others.
For me, the other challenge is to get myself close enough (without the benefit of a Press Pass) to be able to take a few photos under low light. Much as I’d love better equipment, you have to work with what you have! Most of these are taken on a Canon 6D with a EF70-200 lens (with no Image Stabilisation!) at f 2.8 and ISO 1600 or 3200. This then results in a lot of ‘noise’, which coupled with tricky light balances from the stage lights makes for interesting processing challenges in Lightroom.
I hope you enjoy these musical portraits.
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Tent Tops
The flow of people in and out of the big tents is continuous as evening falls over the festival grounds.
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Hosier on the Crossroads Stage
Irish singer-songwriter-musician Hozier kept the crowd on their feet – especially with his multi-platinum debut single “Take Me to Church”.
Gary Clark Jr
Texan Gary Clark Jr took to the backlit Mojo Stage with his edgy fusion of blues, rock, hip hop and soul music.
Flogging Molly
Irish vocalist Dave King hasn’t lost any of the energy and enthusiasm that has gained the seven-piece Irish-American Celtic punk band Flogging Molly its loyal following.
Snarky Puppy
You know that when you have this many people on stage, you will be hit with a wall of sound! The Brooklyn-based jazz and funk collective Snarky Puppy includes between 10 and 25 musicians at any given time.
Lukas Nelson
I first saw Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real (POTR) at Bluesfest in 2016 (see: Back to the Roots). I was sad that they didn’t make it out in 2017: Neil Young, with whom they were touring, became unwell.
Lukas Nelson and POTR
Of course, since then, Lukas – son of Willie Nelson – has garnered accolades for his work on Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s “A Star Is Born” soundtrack.
Lukas Nelson and POTR
Billed as “Cowboy Hippy Surf Rock”, their sets are always entertaining and energetic.
Fantastic Negrito
Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz, stage name Fantastic Negrito, tells the most extraordinary musical stories.
Fantastic Negrito
I was absolutely captivated when I first saw him in 2016 (see: Blues all over the World).
Fantastic Negrito
His life has gone through amazing changes: …
Fantastic Negrito
… including critical physical injury following a near-fatal car crash in 1999 that left him in a coma for three weeks. He reinvented himself and his music, calling his new style “black roots music for everyone”.
Fantastic Negrito
He is fiercely individual, writing the music he want to write – and now recording under his own cooperative record label.
Deva Mahal
The daughter of one of my favourite blues musicians, Taj Mahal, New York-based soul and R&B singer Deva Mahal launched her solo career in 2017.
Deva Mahal
Deva’s style ranges across Soul, Funk, R&B, Indie-pop, Gospel and Blues.
Deva Mahal
Writing her own songs, she cites Tracy Chapman, Nina Simone and Lauryn Hillamong her influences.
Ward Thomas
Twin sisters Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas, from a farm in rural Hampshire, England, have been called “Britain’s first country stars”.
Ward Thomas
Accomplished musicians, …
Ward Thomas
… the women blend and weave vocals magically.
Ward Thomas
I loved their performances – but I still don’t know which one is which!
Marcus King
The Southern-blues-rock sounds of the Marcus King Band are led by young singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Marcus King from Greenville, South Carolina.
Anderson East
Another American Southern soul, R&B, gospel and blues-rock musician, Anderson East from Athens, Alabama, is unpretentious but instantly charismatic.
Allen Stone
The last American soul and R&B singer and musician I listened to was Allen Stone, called by USA Today a “pitch-perfect powerhouse”.
Sound Mixing
Behind the scenes, the technicians keep it all happening.
I was going to pass on next year’s tickets, but I couldn’t resist: as I said, Bluesfest Byron Bay is addictive!
So, I’m ready for 2020.
Until then,
Let’s keep dancing!
Photos: 18-22April2019
