Stone Music Festival
Story & Photos by Ant Ritz Originally promoted as a music festival based on the cult Australian motorbike movie “Stone”, the Stone Music Festival was held at ANZ Stadium Homebush a few days ago. For some reason, some where along the way, the bikie link was quashed. In the run up to the festival there [...]
GTM 2013
Story & Photos by Geneva On April 27th, with the blessing of sunshine and a stunning blue sky, 16,000 punters wreaked havoc upon the Maitland Showground for the annual Groovin’ The Moo. After navigating through the traffic and oceans of twelvies, I made it to the grounds of this glorious festival. The bag checks and [...]
Groovin’ The Moo
Story by Rufus Onfire A fine sunny Autumnal day greeted us for a drive up to the country to take in all things good music on a Saturday in Autumn. Groovin The Moo has been delivering a quality festival since 2005, and since 2006 The Maitland Showground has been one of these venues. Even if [...]
Dig It Up !
Story by Rufus Onfire The second instalment of the self styled Hoodoo Gurus gig fest returned to the suburb of Enmore, each venue again within a short shuffle of each other, some from last year and some newbies to add to the mix. Here’s the pick of the bunch I managed to catch on a [...]
Carlos Santana
Story & Photos by Ant Ritz In a festival jam packed full of some incredible highlights, Santana was undoubtedly one of the major highlights for Bluefest 2013. Having sold 90 million records and having won 10 Grammy awards, Santana and band with their own unique brand of Latin infused jazz rock were always going to [...]
Iggy & The Stooges
Story & Photos by Ant Ritz They have been described as the “Godfathers of Punk Rock” and in 2010 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Iggy & The Stooges are almost a household name. Yet when questioned many people will be pushed to tell you the name of any of their [...]
Beasts of Bourbon
Story & Photos by Ant Ritz One of the many vehicles for front man Tex Pekins, Beasts of Bourbon put on a great show with Tex at his charismatic and larger than life best. NB Tex’s great performance has been beautifully shot here by Ant Ritz – what a great photograph ! (Ed.) In addition, [...]
Steve Miller
Story & Photos by Ant Ritz Another of the big name acts to appear at Bluesfest 2013 was The Steve Miller Band. There were no pyrotechnics or special effects and lighting was minimal, but the band had the audience made up of both young and old rocking out to their old hits. “Abracadabra”, “Space Cowboy”, [...]
Ruthie Foster
Story & Photos by Ant Ritz and John Snelson After impressing the crowds at Bluesfest 2011, Grammy Award nominee Ruthie Foster was welcome back to Bluesfest 2013. Foster is an American singer song writer from Texas with a beautiful and yet powerful voice often compared to some of the great’s such as Ella Fitzgerald. [...]
Manu Chao La Ventura
Story & Photos by Ant Ritz Adding to the international flavour and sheer diversity of performers playing Bluesfest 2013 was French performer Manu Chao and La Ventura. Manu put on a dynamically energetic show and keep the crowd jumping with his version of reggae, ska and alternative rock. He just blew the audience away.
Jason Mraz
Story & Photos by Ant Ritz American singer songwriter, Jason Mraz is, a typical example of what makes Bluesfest just a brilliant festival. One of the great things about a typical Bluesfest line up is that is always has such a diverse range of artists so that the festival is one for all ages. Mraz [...]
Chris Isaak
Story & Photos by Ant Ritz Chris Isaak is a regular visitor to Australia and that’s because Australians just can’t seem to get enough of him. Regular nice guy, smooth, charming and seems to get most women swooning. So, at Bluesfest he didn’t disappoint but rather he did have a surprise guest in Wanda Jackson. [...]
Ben Caplan
Story & Photos by John Snelson We are not quite sure why Ben Caplan would be at a blues festival – but then I guess the organisers will pull out “The Roots Chestnut”. Caplan’s like a Yorkshire Hobbit with attitude and has won all sorts of awards from various global gigs and exciting events. At [...]
Mark Seymour & The Undertow
Story & Photos by John Snelson Ex hunter and collector, Mark Seymour, put on a committed and well rehearsed, polished and professional performance on the Jambalaya stage. That sounds like it was you know, a bit ho-hum .. but not so. He also took the opportunity to introduce his daughter who seemed a little stagestruck [...]
Status Quo
Story & Photos by John Snelson Heading the line up of Rock ‘n Roll wonders and artefacts at Bluesfest this year, Status Quo. Wrinkle rock is back. With record sales amounting 120 million, you wonder what keeps them going. I guess the answer may be obvious. The Quocks were just the same as they were [...]
SOJA
Story & Photos by John Snelson SOJA .. yet another reggae band at Bluesfest to add to the eclectic lineup of folksy singers, crooners, vocal acrobats and pop/rock bands such as Status Quo and nice songsmiths like Paul Simon. Blues ? Nah – but no matter, SOJA is certainly a very good band. Click here [...]
Wilco
Story & Photos by John Snelson Back after 5 years, Wilco has lost none of its force. It’s 20 years sonce John Stirratt on bass and Jeff Tweedy singer/songman dredged Wilco from the remnants of Uncle Tepelo and we are so glad that they did. Here to enjoy and listen to the new album The [...]
Wards Xpress
Story & Photos by John Snelson Down in the Cavanbah tent, there is high expectation as the throng awaits the appearance at Bluesfest of Wards Xpress. With nine Bluesfest appearances under the belt, Ross Ward is no stranger to the event. His band includes Al Britton on bass, Bruce Stephens on drums and one of [...]
Santana
Story & Photos by John Snelson Carlos Santana – 90 million records, 40 years on the bandstand. Perhaps the best at Bluesfest. The sound was fantastic, the lighting and effects were excellent abd Santana’s personal commitment and contribution could not be faulted. A highlight of the show was George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” [...]
Glen Hansard
Story & Photos by John Snelson It’s all good stuff and you have to like him. Is it blues and roots music … well, I guess folk music is indeed roots music. The crowd loved him and so did we. Click here to see more photos of the folksy Glen Hansard & The Frames.
Ben Harper
Story & Photos by John Snelson Ben Harper returned to one of his most enthusiastic audiences putting on an acoustic show to delight his fans. Click here to see more photos of the super Ben Harper.
Rodriguez
Story & Photos by John Snelson Huge crowds numbering 8,000 or so at each performance at Jambalaya and Crossroads crammed into the tents to see “The Sugar Man”. The jury may still be out – but the fans are voting with their feet and wallets. Click here to see more photos of the super Rodriguez.
Joan Armatrading
Story & Photos by John Snelson She has won an Ivor Novello Award and topped the Billboard Blues Top 100 – not to mention an MBE – she seems to have been around for ages. Click here to see more photos of the super Joan Armatrading.
Playing For Change
Story & Photos by John Snelson Inspiring – trying to improve world peace through music from many cultures. Click here to see more photos of the super Playing For Change.
