Bluesfest 2013 – Day Four
DAY 4
Mason Rack Band
We heard the heavy blues slide guitar of the Mason Rack Band from our camp site. We were immediately kicked into gear, got on our gumboots and went to watch the show. The rain was continuing to come down and even though I was standing partially in it, I soon forgot about it. The sound was heavy and bluesy and just the right way to kick off the day. The Mason Rack Band certainly had a “carnies of the music circuit” feel to them: they traveled far from a gig the night before, they traveled as a family, knew how to work a crowd and had lots of tricks and gimmicks. None of this cheapened the experience however, they were fantastic! There were a few rotating band members and their set included appearances from his family: his young daughter, whom he helped play the slide guitar on his lap but then slowly moved away to reveal that she was completely rocking out on her own and his wife who did a broody and stripped back rendition of ‘Fever’.
There was even a song where the band members all swapped instruments on stage and proceeded to play a few more songs after doing such! Throw in a hugely energetic percussion solo at end (which involved throwing drumsticks to each other between the beat) and you’ve got yourself a dandy show.
Saskwatch
We got a prime position front and centre to watch Saskwatch in the MOJO tent. The crowd was very sparse shortly before the set, so it was no problem. However, once Saskwatch started playing, each song went from strength to strength and they were justly rewarded with a ever building crowd. It wasn’t hard to understand why: their sound was punchy, full of soul and the vocals of Nkechi Anele were simply phenomenal. There was an indescribably high energy both on stage and in the air. I believe this is the very reason you go to see live music, in hope of experiencing this kind of magic. Once they belted out an instrumental version of ‘Kids’ the crowd was as good as theirs. Add to this the band’s graciousness and gratefulness for being able to play at Bluesfest and you get a band you just can’t help but love. After the show we went over to the music shop and there were heaps of people walking out the door with Saskwatch albums. They had undoubtedly won a legion of new fans.
Nicky Bomba’s Bustamento
This is classic Bomba. I challenge you to try and be depressed when the signature “Bustamento” calypso sounds start. It was pouring down with rain outside the tent, but no one inside would have known. It felt tropical inside and it all came from the stage. Everyone had woken up by this time of the day and they were ready to party. The band gave everyone a perfect motivation to move and groove. Bomba is playful, never takes things too seriously and looks like he is most comfortable when on stage. For him, creating music seems completely organic and effortless. His percussion talents came to the forefront later in the set with a 3-way percussion battle. He made a show of attempting to bounce a drum stick off the ground and catch it high in the air (which he eventually achieved and the crowd burst into applause and adulation). At a few points throughout the set he even played his guitar with a drumstick! A big calypso sound, perfectly mixed and joy-joy-joyous all the way through!
Rufus Wainwright
I put Rufus Wainwright at number one for “most incredible voice I have ever heard live”. I don’t know the science behind it, but he just sounded perfect. As soon as he starts singing, you can’t help but but get drawn in, lost in his world and feel everything he sings. My favourite song was “California” which he played on his Korean bought Hello Kitty guitar. A terrible guitar, as he admitted, but coupled with his voice and an awesome song it didn’t really matter. His version of “Hallelujah” was as close to the wonder you’d imagine feeling when hearing it sung by Jeff Buckley. It certainly did move the crowd. He had some rocking pants too!
The Lumineers
Sarah and I didn’t attentively watch this set, but it provided nice background music while sitting out in the rain. The rain had really settled in by this point. We sat out on a bench in our ponchos and gumboots and I enjoyed an overpriced (delicious) beer. Even with the terrible weather surrounding, it was a perfect and relaxing moment in time. People rushed to the tent to hear ‘Ho Hey’, including a set of over-excited teenage girls who managed to catch the last two seconds of the song.
The Cat Empire
The energy was insanely high and the crowd in the tent was truly festive. When The Cat Empire played ‘Hello Hello” the tent erupted into a soccer-like crowd of jumping around and shirts waving in the air. It was great to hear the song after it was excluded from so many sets (the band obviously grew tired of it and wanted to be known for more). Everyone formed dance circles at the command of Harry during “The Wine Song” and it only lifted the energy to insane new highs. I was over near the ‘Diamond Reserve’ seating and a few members of the crowd were climbing up into the area, dancing and taunting the security guards. Meanwhile, professional dancers joined the band on the stage and this only continued to lift the party vibe. I can only describe the energy as like being at a friends out of control house party. Great music pumping on stage with insanity and joyous chaos everywhere else – the kind that reminds you why it’s good to be alive.
