Pop for Blues
The last remaining third of modern music’s sacred triangle is coming to Bluesfest. David Bowie and Lou Reed have since departed, but Iggy Pop still endures. And it’s good news for music lovers: Iggy has been added to the Bluesfest lineup for next year’s 2019 Easter event.
I love Iggy Pop. At 71, almost 72, he still has that fully charged visceral energy that for me defines a true rockstar. He’s anarchy. He’s unpredictable. He’s relentless. Although the years may have condemned from time to time, age has not wearied him, just made him more interesting.
The Passenger would be in one of my top ten songs of all time. As is Lust for Life – a crazed scream of energy at an apathetic world. Pop is truly the godfather of punk – renowned for his wild antics as frontman for the Stooges, Pop still delivers one of the most incredible live shows you’ll ever see. I saw him five years ago at Bluesfest when he fronted the Stooges, fierce, aggressive, loud and wild as they ever were. It was high-octane insanity and a reminder to every old fart on the block that getting older is no reason to become more conservative or staid; it’s licence to let rip.
The rock icon has encompassed a plethora of genres and styles in his music over the course of his career including punk rock, jazz, blues and many more. He’s gold-plated Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and most recently has been spending his time making a cockatoo he calls Biggy Pop famous on Instagram. Definitely worth checking out. Iggy doesn’t perform that much any more, so this show at Bluesfest may well be his last Australian show – don’t miss the Real Wild Child.
Byron Blues Festival – Easter 2019. For tix and program info go to bluesfest.com.au.
