Bluesfest 2023 - Day Five

Words by Victoria Bihun

Photos by Josh Groom and Damien Stacey

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Monday 10th April - Day 5

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Day 5 is brought to you by painkillers, coffee and sourdough donuts (multiple) and we’re kicking off this final day of Bluesfest 2023 with one of my highlights from Bluesfest 2022, Roshani. This multitasking magician elevated her fabulous performance from her Bluesfest debut last year, if that’s even possible. Her strong, powerful vocal range, virtuosic harmonica playing and plethora of techniques and sounds created from within her looping fortress once again enraptured the audience from the get go. Through a clever mix of originals and banging covers, this busker-at-heart has firmly established herself as a Bluesfest favourite and an artist well and truly keeping the “roots alive so the fruits will thrive”.

We made our way to the Juke Joint for the final time to catch the powerhouse blues band that is Lachy Doley and the Horns of Conviction. Led by a master of the Hammond organ, Lachy Doley and his band presented a performance full of head banging passion and intensity, with each member displaying their virtuosity on their respective instruments.The backing vocals were electrifying and together with the driving rhythms of the percussion and soaring horn section there was a  layer of complexity and richness that set them apart from other blues acts.

Our final Crossroads performance would be brought to us by the legendary Bonnie Raitt. Her performance was a masterful and soulful display of blues and roots music, showcasing her breathtaking voice and exceptional guitar playing. With her trademark red hair and warm stage presence, Raitt effortlessly won over the audience from the very first notes of her set, taking them on a journey through her rich catalogue of classic and contemporary blues hits.

And so we came to the end of Bluesfest 2023 and what better way to take us out than with the high-energy, dynamic New Orleans-based band, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue. Led by the captivating Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, the band's sound was a full brass and percussion extravaganza, with infectious rhythms that got the audience moving and grooving into a frenzy. Their blend of funk, jazz and rock is a perfect representation of the rich musical heritage of New Orleans, and their performance was quite simply a bloody good time. Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue are a band that knows how to throw a party and were an absolutely perfect way to close out what was another brilliant Bluesfest.

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