Report: Greg Phillips Photos: Jason Rosewarne
On the penultimate day of Bluesfest 2017, things got off to a roaring start with local blues guitar musician and friend to Australian Musician magazine, Lloyd Spiegel. It’s hard to believe that it was Lloyd’s first Bluesfest appearance but judging by the crowd reaction it won’t be his last. Check out his Double Live album too! Blues and soul music is in good hands if young American Max Jury has anything to do with it. The authentic soul passion and conviction injected into his music defies his age.
Appearing for the third time, we just had to revisit The Suffers, our new favourite band. Frontwoman Kam Franklin has a commanding stage presence and her fellow band members are so obviously having fun up there every night. The Record Company graduated to the Crossroads stage and delivered another gritty set. Bluesfest faves Jethro Tull were up next and while Ian Anderson’s voice doesn’t soar as it used to, his flute playing and energy levels were top shelf. Buddy Guy was back too and it doesn’t get any bluesier than when this man is dishing’ it out. It was guitar legend overload on day 4 with the great Carlos Santana and band playing to the festival’s biggest crowd. Soul Sacrifice set the tone for a massive set of latin gold.
Zac Brown was back to the festival again this year after impressing many in 2015 with the band’s hardcore alt country rock. A blistering version of Metallica’s Enter Sandman had the Crossroads tent pumping. On a more mellow note Michael Kiwanuka was playing his hypnotic brand of blues under the Mojo bigtop. A particularly moving version of Prince, ’Sometimes It Snows In April’ left the crowd gasping. Madness equals fun, it’s as simple as that. Beginning their set with two of their biggest hits, One Step Beyond and Embarrassment, the crowd had no choice but to dance. Over on the Jambalaya stage Hammond organ legend Booker T presented his Stax Review to a packed tent. It doesn’t get any better. One day to go!
