All good things must come to an end and we headed to the Tyagarah venue for the final day of Bluesfest 2025 but heartened by the fact that there will be a 2026 event. As he did for the majority of the festival, Craig Eriksson took lead review duties for day 4 with editor Greg Phillips adding rhythm. As always, Australia’s finest photographer Jason Rosewarne was there to capture it all with his magical eye.
The fourth and final day of the 36th Bluesfest was the icing on the cake, completing yet another incredible easter music event and we know now that it won’t be the last. It was a beautiful balmy day and the promotors would be thanking the gods for the incredible weather we’ve had over the past four days with no rain in sight. It was another sold out day (30,000 punters we believe) and the show grounds were packed and thriving early.
We started our day at Jambalaya seeing 19-year old Gudjingburra artist, BIRREN who was this year’s Bluesfest 2025 Busking Over 18 Winner. Birren is a young local busker from Booningbah (Fingal Head) in Northern NSW. Birren and his band play ocean-inspired, laidback, smooth reggae music. To gain an understanding of Birren’s vibe, I feel he is in the same musical ballpark as a Kim Churchill or Vance Joy. Birren said his music is inspired by living a coastal lifestyle and searching for the perfect wave. Birren sings and plays acoustic guitar and ukulele. Birren launched his debut single ‘Greenshack’ back in 2023 and has played the St Kilda Festival in 2024. We really enjoyed his set and will be keen to follow his musical journey to see where it leads him.
We then headed next door to Delta to see HUSSY HICKS. We had recently seen them perform at The Espy in St Kilda as just a duo (Leesa Gentz & Julz Parker), but this time they played in full band mode. It was Leesa’s birthday and without enticement, their show started with everyone singing an impromptu Happy Birthday to her. Hussy Hicks are also local-based band, hailing from Lismore, NSW. They play a fusion of folk, blues, country and roots. They opened their set with Sundial, dedicated to family in the audience. Leesa’s powerhouse vocals blow us away every time we see Hussy Hicks and Julz is such a magnificent and probably underrated guitarist and vocalist. They invited numerous guests on stage with them today. Julz’s dad (Greg) joined them several times on harmonica. Minnie Marks joined them too with Minnie on Les Paul guitar and Julz on Telecaster, they performed a great new song called View From The Hill. The band all look so joyful on stage, smiling throughout and loving the experience, telling us they enjoy creating special magical moments like this at Bluesfest.
American band THE CALIFORNIA HONEYDROPS are from Oakland, USA and played at Delta next with their fusion of funk, soul, rock, R&B and psychedelic rock. Enigmatic frontman Lech Wierzynski is a smooth, cool for cats vocalist. The band is large and consists of two drummer/percussionists, one featuring bongos and the other adding conga rhythms. Plus they possess an organist and three brass players that contribute saxophone, trombone, trumpet, clarinet, and sousaphone between them. There is a synth player, guitarists and most members have significant voices too. There is a lot going on up on stage and you don’t know who to watch. They enraptured the audience with their energetic, electrifying show that had punters dancing in the aisles.
We headed over to Mojo to see KASEY CHAMBERS. Kasey is so much more than just a country singer, blending country, folk and Americana with more than a touch of Australiana! Her down to earth, country way of being, storytelling, sense of humour and heartfelt music provides a heartfelt and entertaining set. Kasey also has her dad Bill Chambers on guitar, slide guitar and backing vocals. Kasey said she first played Bluesfest 27 years ago. They opened with Ain’t No Little Girl, showcasing her expansive vocal range, way beyond that country twang she is known for. Kasey invited several guests up on stage with her including Vance Joy to perform The Captain. Kasey and her band are currently on their Backbone Tour. Jenny Mitchell, who is an artist from NZ is supporting them on their tour and sang a stripped back version of Not Pretty Enough with Kasey along with the fiddle player. In between songs, Kasey engaged with the crowd and was both charming and hilarious. Kasey plays banjo on many of her songs and hearing Pony, A Little Bit Lonesome, We’re All Gonna Die Someday were all truly wonderful. They finished their set with the iconic Barricades & Brickwalls.
I stayed in Mojo to catch festival fave JOHN BUTLER. Mojo was packed to the brim and JB opened with Treat Yo Mama and the crowd erupted. JB had the crowd in the palms of his hands as he played crowd favourites like Used To Get High, Better Than, Ocean, Funky Tonight and Zebra.
All the way from Chicago, singer-songwriter MELODY ANGEL played an incredible set at Jambalaya. A dynamic blues guitarist and powerhouse vocalist, often described as a cross between Tina Turner and Jimi Hendrix. Melody’s guitar skills were mesmerising and she has such a soulful voice. Melody’s mum provides backing vocals and tambourine. Australian Musician had the honour of interviewing Melody on her first Bluesfest appearance back in 2017. You can view it HERE
We remained at Jambalya for Australia’s Jimi Hendrix of the Hammond organ and keyboards, the magnificent LACHY DOLEY GROUP. Lachy is high-energy and looks like he has ants in his pants the way he moves around the organ and stage. Lachy and his band Jackie Barnes (drums) and Joel Burton (Bass) played an electrifying, high-energy set of blues, soul, and funk. Watching Lachy play the Whammy Clavinet and Hammond organ had fans mesmerised. It was an incredible show and AM photographer (Jason Rosewarne) was up on stage with them to capture the moment.
One of the surprises of the festival has been Grammy-nominated, LA-based, expat Australian RY X, who plays a fusion of nordic sounding, ambient beats. Using synths and loops he creates his lush soundscapes and spellbounds us with the vastness of his music. A good looking, stocky lad, and immaculately dressed in black, his imposing figure seems to have become a fave with the ladies at Byron Bay too. He’s collaborated with orchestras such as the LA Philharmonic and London Philharmonic and has dabbled in film scores, so knows how to construct an epic piece of music. He tells us he doesn’t know why he hasn’t been home more often and hopes to rectify that soon.
We had to experience 8 piece American outfit HERE COME THE MUMMIES performing one more time, as they have been such a standout band at the Bluesfest this year (and in 2024 too). Their shows are so dynamic, high energy, and fun. Their music is a blend of funk, ska, reggae, rock, disco and soul and their dance moves and antics on stage cracked us up, especially their running manically from one side of the stage to the other on the final tune Single Double Triple. Dressed as 5000 year olf mummies, they play horns, percussion, bass, guitar and keys. Even without the bandage gimmick, they’d still be a musical force to be reckoned with but the theatre of it all adds so much excitement. The music is infectious and you can’t help but have a good time. Think James Brown but ‘mummified’! Dramatically entering the stage in a drum line, it’s quite an epic statement as they kick into My Party… and party we did! Not only are these guys accomplished musicians but their songs are strong too. Freak Flag, Ra Ra Ra and She’s DTF all have the ingredients to lift your soul, move your feet and singalong to at the same time. It’s clear that the Mummies love their Byron Bay experience. As the band tell us, “Invite us back anytime and we’ll be on the first flight available.”
We then headed to Crossroads for one of the last acts of the festival. English singer-songwriter RAG’N’BONE MAN was outstanding. His deep, smooth and powerful baritone voice is so distinctive and his band consisting of two female backing singers, two keyboardists and three guitarists created some instant festival magic. RNBM’s vocal grooves were a pleasure to our ears as he and band played a quality blend of gospel blues, soul, R&B and pop. RNBM sings with such conviction. In some songs like Human, the vulnerability and emotional power he creates is like no one else I’ve ever heard before. Then he can sing uplifting feel-good songs that make you feel pure joy. Ahhh the power of music! The connection Rory had with the massive crowd was beautiful. Hearing songs like Bitter End, Skin, Grace, All I Ever Wanted and What Do You Believe In? were highlights. Check out our pre Bluesfest interview with Rag n Bone Man HERE
Celebrating 50 years in show business, the one and only CHAKA KHAN took to the Mojo stage with her impressive band (2 drummers, 2 keyboardists, bass, guitar and 3 glorious female backing singers ) and looked genuinely chuffed with her rowdy crowd reception. Opening with This Is My Night, the 72 year old queen of funk and soul not only sounded amazing, she looked fabulous too. Acknowledging her time with the band Rufus, next up came the funky Do You Love What You Feel, bringing an authentic disco-era vibe to the event. Once she got to I Feel For You, the Prince-penned hit song the crowd was well and truly out of their minds with joy. As expected I’m Every Woman and Aint Nobody completed an incredible set, one which many had come specifically to see and the perfect way to showcase the pointy end of this legendary music festival.
What better way to close out an incredible 4-days of live music at Bluesfest than to experience Australian hip hop group the HILLTOP HOODS perform to a massive crowd. HH are rappers Suffa and Pressure and the band consists of DJ Debris, 3 brass players, female backing singer and a drummer. Being inside the Crossroads tent with everyone jumping and bouncing about and going crazy was wild. The place was going totally off! HH thanked the crowd for saving their energy for the Sunday night show. Their performance was dynamic and like one giant house party, creating a night we’ll never forget.
This whole Bluesfest experience has been incredible and we’d would recommend any music lover to make this a bucket-list item and attend next year. Announcing that 2025 would be the final Bluesfest definitely accounted for the majority of tickets being sold. Whether marketing genius or morally questionable enticement, the end result is that Bluesfest will return and that’s gotta be a great thing.
