Live Review + Photo Galleries: The big guns continue to fire as Bluesfest Byron Bay heads into Day 2

Having made my way to 10 artists on the day before, I upped the ante on the second day trying to get to as many artists as I could before the inevitable fatigue set in, getting to a further 11 artists and peeking in on another one from the crowd while having an evening meal break and catching up with long-time friends who I have attended Bluesfest with since 2016.

My day started out with young Brisbane band, The Royals, who won the Grommets busking competition back in 2024, and who consequently got a further spot on the following year’s lineup. Starting out with a super rendition of Kiss’s Detroit Rock City, the band played a wonderfully heavy rock style which showed that perhaps rock music still has a life in these times when so little new music of this type is heard on the airwaves.

I then caught one of Bluesfest’s more recent favourites, solo act Roshani, who has grown from her days of busking to that of a seasoned, and much-loved performer before getting to catch the powerhouse that is Melody Angel, a performer I have seen twice before at previous festivals, and who has taken her playing and performance to the highest level. It is great to see such amazing growth.

Next up was another Brisbane-based act, The Steele Syndicate, a fabulous eight-piece funky blues-rock outfit who played a set with so much energy and pizazz, including a brass section who were so amazingly dynamic. These guys won the 2024 Adult Busking Competition and were highly worthy of another spot on the lineup (and don’t be surprised to see them back again in future, based on their performance on this occasion).

Following on from The Steele Syndicate was the debut appearance by Louisiana native, Marc Broussard with his sweet soul-tinged vocals atop a classy mix of blues, rock and R&B. I was fortunate to catch more of his performance than the standard 3 songs afforded to photographers when I slipped out for some food, and took the time to see the finish of his set, the back half of which had me scrambling to see if the merch tent had any of his music available for sale (alas, however, there was none). Of note was the inclusion in his band of Australian keyboard wizard, Clayton Doley for this performance.

One of Bluesfest’s all-time favourite performers, Ash Grunwald, was up next with his signature one-man rootsy blues, enthralling the crowd as always with his cheery nature and ability to get the crowd participating and singing along on top note.

Melbourne soul-rockers, Fools, making their third outing at Bluesfest following on from their debut back in 2022, made a bunch of new fans with their outstanding performance in front of a large crowd, which will hopefully see them pushing their name out more widely on a national basis…..and deservedly so.

Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram showed a funkier side (albeit mixed in with his at times, incendiary guitar attack) on this day, showing the growth and maturity that one would expect to see in one so talented at the relatively tender age of 26. He is fast becoming a festival mainstay, having been back every year since his debut appearance in 2022.

The Grammy and Juno Award winning artist, Allison Russell was next to grace my lens, and as ever, she gave us a show to remember. Her all-female band, The Rainbow Coalition, were absolutely on song, and perfectly complimented Ms Russell’s captivating, and uplifting performance as she sang, danced and rhythmically writhed her way around the stage, all the while showing us her glorious talent as a multi-instrumentalist.

George Thorogood & The Destroyers began the evening of heavy hitters with a set full of swagger and full-tilt boogie and blues, and pumping out hit after hit from their 50+ year catalogue to the absolute enjoyment of the fully-packed tent.

As mentioned earlier, I again had a break for food, and during this time, I sat to a side of where Christopher Cross was on stage. I must confide that I have not heard a lot of his music since the heady days of Sailing, Ride Like The Wind and Arthur’s Theme, songs which saw him win multiple Grammys and an Oscar Award respectively, but I must say that his voice still retains the youthful, and melodic feel of those times from over 40 years ago.

From here it was over to catch the ice-cool Gary Clark Jr, a performer deeply rooted in the blues, but with a completely unique and modern twist. Touted as a new Jimi Hendrix early in his career, Clark Jr has a lot to live up to, and whilst i disagree with the Hendrix tag, there is no doubting his ability to make his guitar sing. It is also notable to watch his long-time rhythm guitarist, Eric ‘King’ Zapata, who often shares much of the great guitar work the band produce, and who has some of the coolest looks going.

My night would finish with the legendary US rock band, Toto. I approached this with some trepidation, wondering if the band still had it after nearly 50 years together, and whether the sound would be the same as from their glory days given their numerous lineup changes. However, my doubts were quickly quelled with Steve Lukather and co. absolutely tearing up the stage with a perfromance worthy of the ages – a band still able to produce music of the highest order.

To pick one act from this day is folly. Day two was a killer lineup with plenty of surprises. From Toto to Allison Russell, and The Steele Syndicate through to Melody Angel, ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, Ash Grunwald, Marc Broussard and Gary Clark Jr, Bluesfest came through in spades yet again.

The Royals Gallery: