Live Review: Bluesfest Perth
1st April 2023 at Nikola Estate, Middle Swan Perth
Review By Erica Lorimer with contribution from Scott Gagen
Photography by Erica Lorimer Photographer
As a photographer, I had an amazing opportunity to capture some of the world’s best blues and roots artists at the Bluesfest in Perth last weekend. It was the first time the festival had made its way from Byron Bay, and I was excited to see what was in store. The beautiful Nikola Estate vineyards in the picturesque Swan Valley made for the perfect backdrop for a day filled with soulful blues and roots music.
The festival was a feast for the eyes as well as the ears, with a variety of stages, lighting, costumes and props that made for some stunning shots. The highlight for me, and many others, was The Doobie Brothers. They delivered a flawless set of their classic hits including Jesus is Just Alright, Takin’ it to the Streets, Long Train Runnin’, Rocking Down the Highway, What a Fool Believes and China Grove, and showed why they are still one of the most beloved bands in rock history. As a four-time Grammy Award-winning and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-inducted band, they delivered a flawless set of their classic hits. It was clear they were enjoying every second of it, interacting with the crowd and each other. Guest musicians, such as saxophonist Marc Russo and guitarist John McFee, added some extra flair to their sound. Their energy, charisma, and harmony made for a truly memorable experience.
And then there was Michael McDonald – his distinctive soulful vocals and those stratospheric falsetto electrified and soothed the air molecules. It is the kind of mellifluousness that paradoxically entwined with the grittiness that sat beautifully across five decades without a hint of tear and wear. His tenor and piano combination are iconic, so are his funk and RnB undulation that scintillated across the winery estate. Perth had the honour of witnessing Michael McDonald as one of the greatest Caucasian vocalists in the category, a frontman that was often assumed to be of African American heritage from the vocal delivery.
Earlier on in the night, the Doobie Brothers were joined by other great acts, such as Roshani, John Butler, Jessica Mauboy, Michael Franti & Spearhead and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. There were also some local talents, such as, Blue Shaddy, and 19-Twenty. Russell Morris, a legendary musician, also graced the stage and paid tribute to the late Rene Geyer, who had often joined him as a backup singer. The audience appreciated this gesture.
Roshani is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable and coolest young Australian female singers of our time, and her appearance at BluesFest Perth was nothing short of impressive. Despite her small stature, her powerful and soulful voice immediately captured the attention of the crowd. This marked her second visit to Western Australia, but this time she graced the stage that she described as the “biggest stage” she had ever performed on.
As soon as Roshani began to sing, the crowd was impressed by her powerful and soulful voice. Like a pied piper, she drew latecomers down the hill, eager to secure a spot on the lawn in front of the main stage. Roshani’s remarkable talent as a musician was affirmed by her soaring voice that filled the air. Her captivating style was highlighted by her bold and striking makeup, jewellery, and gold-threaded costume. She looked like a beautiful queen from a far-off kingdom who had swum “butt naked” at South Beach that morning and could play a gutsy harmonica and mean guitar riff. Although Roshani’s music is influenced by traditional blues, she has infused her unique flair and modern perspective into a new genre that she has dubbed “EDM & Blues” – electronic dance music that is certain to captivate and excite. Despite her small stature, Roshani’s undeniable presence on the huge stage left the audience somewhat entranced.
Up next on centre stage was John Butler, one of Australia’s most successful singer-songwriters and one we proudly claim locally. He played solo with his acoustic guitar, but he created a full-band sound with his looping pedals and effects. He played some of his hits, such as Better Than and Ocean, and also some new songs from his latest album Home.
Coincidentally, it was also John Butler’s birthday on that day, and the audience joined in to celebrate with him, giving him a round of applause for each of his 48 years. He was accompanied on stage by his partner and wife, Danielle. It was a poignant moment as both John and Roshani had emphasized the importance of family in their performances that night. John shared with us the sad news that his father and his wife’s father had passed away within 48 hours of each other, and he urged everyone to cherish precious moments with their loved ones.
The crowd in West Australia has a deep admiration for John Butler, and it was evident from the love and appreciation they showered upon him during his performance. It was the perfect way to enjoy the beautiful sunset, sipping on a bottle of Nikola Estate’s white wine, while relishing John Butler’s soothing melodies and infectious smile.
Eugene Hideway Bridges warmed the crowd with “Take me Back to WA”. Later, it was Michael Franti & Spearhead who went one step further and worked the crowd – often from within the crowd. Franti had fans sharing the stage in the second song and between uplifting and infectious rhythms the message of supporting family and making connections with others was clear.
As the night descended upon the Swan Valley, the ambiance on Stage 2 was set with a gentle blue light illuminating the area. The soulful ballads and virtuosic guitar playing of Christone “Kingfish” Ingram echoed throughout, showcasing his talent for blues rock. A young guitarist and vocalist from Mississippi, “Kingfish” has taken the blues world by storm with his commanding guitar skills and stirring vocals. The crowd was well aware that they were witnessing a truly remarkable and unique talent that we see more of in the future.
Jessica Mauboy‘s dynamic choreography and unique up-beat style brought explosive energy that appealed to a wide range of ages and backgrounds, with younger fans mixing it with older generations. Her powerful vocals, combined with her pop/R&B sound, drew a deep crowd, leaving no room to move at the front. It’s easy to see why she was a standout on the program.
The enthusiasm for live music extends beyond just the established stars of the industry. Local bands and artists receive just as much support, as people recognise the importance of promoting and nurturing the grassroots music scene. One such local talent, Ben Catley, kicked off the first song of the day on Stage 3, warmly welcoming guests as they entered. His genuine joy in performing at the festival was palpable, and this happy and relaxed attitude was shared by all the bands on that stage, including Boox Kid, Drea, and Michael Videlli, who were well-loved by their loyal fans in the audience. Solo performers Siobhan Cotchin and Abbe May also delivered strong performances, highlighting the bright future of the music industry.
From globally renowned performers to emerging local artists, each of the festival’s acts contributed something exceptional and distinct, and I was fortunate to have the opportunity to capture their performances across all three stages. There was a friendly and kind vibe in the crowd, contributing to the festival’s overall positive atmosphere. I did a lot of walking between all the stages and it was clear to me the event was meticulously planned and well-structured, with friendly staff and heaps of food and drink offerings. People appreciated the short lines for drinks and restrooms and the complimentary shuttle service between the venue and Midland train station.
Bluesfest Perth offers something for everyone, regardless of their music taste or age. I highly recommend it for those who love blues and roots music or want to have a fun day out with friends and family. The Swan Valley Blues Festival was an incredible event with great music, scenery, and people. I’m looking forward to returning next year with my family.
Sheldon Ang Media (SAM) express their gratitude to Bluesfest and Mellen Events – visit their sites for more information and tickets on upcoming live events.
About SAM: Since their launch in May 2022, SAM have been accredited to photograph and review over 35 arena and stadium performances in Perth, including Sting, RHCP, Post Malone, Harry Styles, Backstreet Boys, Rod Stewart, Cyndi Lauper, KISS, Crowded House and Midnight Oil etc.
About the Writer and Photographer: Erica Lorimer holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of Western Australia (UWA), majoring in English Literature and Economics, and a Certificate IV in Design. She is also a freelance photographer who loves capturing images of live music and travel photograph, sometimes with film from vintage cameras and making prints in a home darkroom. She has lived in Japan, the UK and Nigeria.
