Hump day goes BOOM at Blues

Jackson Browne brought passion and politics to Blues on Saturday. Photo Tree Faerie.

Yesterday Tyagarah relaxed into hump day and punters bumped along in the Bluesfest groove.

There were so many great acts to see it was a hard task choosing which way to go but audience favourite of the day was definitely the ever awesome Jackson Browne.

Browne delivered a passionate, political set to the Crossroads stage for a capacity crowd.

He began on piano with Before the Deluge and moved through a set that mixed old favourites with fiery calls to action, touching on issues including gun control, immigration and the dying ocean.

His anti-war anthem ‘Lives in the Balance’ stirred the crowd to new heights and he came back for an encore with his classic roadie song ‘The Load Out/Stay’. A wonderful show from a superb band backing an artist at the height of his powers.

Stunning for Afro Celt Sound System was Ríoghnach Connolly’s vox and flute. Photo Tree Faerie

The ‘SURPRISE, SURPRISE’ act for Saturday was the incredible Afro Celt Sound System. This band was just phenomenal – their excellent blend of east-meets-west-meets-heaven-on-earth had punters more off the ground than on.

For Bluesfest they had a nine-piece outfit with more rhythm than you could ever hope for on one small stage and they were pumping it out from a rainbow cast of brilliance.

This is one mob we all need as a recurring act at Tyagarah
– Boom ! Crash! BOOM!

Just as spectacular though more subdued was the wonderful Seu Jorge – performing David Bowie like you never heard it, just like it was new again.

Jorge added a melancholy to Bowie’s hits that was always there but somehow we never heard it.

In the palm of his hand is the best way to describe the audience at this stellar gig.

This is where the fun is at – Con Brio. Photo David Lowe

One of the very popular return acts was Con Brio. Talk about play-that-funky-music.

KA-BOOM!

This band has made several appearances at Tyagarah and you can bet many more are on the cards – Ziek McCarter’s energy has matured to a fine point – there’s not less of it, it’s just more focussed – BANG ! BANG POW! He can keep you on the edge of your seat and high in the air, lifting up and getting down all in a heartbeat. Backed and sided and up and overed by and incredible band of musos, Con Brio got punter blood pumping ba-da-boom, ba-da-boom, ba-da-BOOM!

Speaking of punters…

Too much fun having is the theme of this weekend’s event and they have it in spades – and all back for another dose today.

Photos Jeff Dawson