July4th
7:30 Van Morrison
Van is Van.... with an amazing vocal performance you can't help but be in awe when he sings. This was the biggest opening night for Bluesfest and brought with it a sterile performance from Morrison. With no acknowledgment of the 35000 people in front of him, Van put on a solid performance of classic Morrison vocal styling. As part of the crowd you couldn't help but enjoy the power and pure talent of Van Morrison.
July 5th
7:00 Jimmie Vaughan
Jimmie stands true to the Vaughan name, putting on a show full of classic guitar riffs to blow you away. Although Jimmie was a little overshadowed but the Dylan act to follow, he set the stage for the legend that was to follow. Jimmie definitely pumped the crowd up for the show. A solid performance.
9:00 Bob Dylan
Well if you are a true Dylan fan then this was a show for you. As Dylan is getting older the focus of his show was with his band and not just him as the forefront. Dylan pulled out some classic songs from the Highway 61 Revisited album that send tingles down the spin. This was my first Dylan show and I was blown away. Coming the festival early (4:30) to get seats about 20 feet away from the stage, ensured an awesome experience for the show. I was blown away. There is something about standing just feet away from a man that has single handedly formed and influenced just about every piece of musical work that has been created for the last 20 years. Dylan is a musical God who shows his respect for the crowd. Dylan returned to the stage for an encore including as the finally All Along the Watchtower. This encore left me saying please don't play another song, because there is no better way to end the show. After the encore Dylan with his band stood on the stage in a line and stared at the crowd with showdowns covering their faces. The sight will always be etched on my mind as the most respectful, intimate, and honorable goodnight I have ever received by an artist. I know now why Dylan is Dylan... there will never be another like him.
July 6th
9:30 George Thorogood & The Destroyers
Showed up a little late for George but got a great show. This is a guy that sticks with what he knows best. George knows how to knock the roof of an outdoor show, a rock show that was not to be missed.
July 7th
8:00 Michael Franti & Spearhead
I need to catch these guys again. Probably one of the bands that have the most to say, introspective lyrics with a solid base. This show was electric and had a feeling that just radiated through the crowds. And give it up for a great rendition of Sesame Street!
9:00 Manu Chao
Very talented group, but probably the most overrated show I was at. I respected their music but I was very unimpressed with repetitive nature of their work. After about half the show I had to leave because I was falling asleep. I heard so much buzz about this show before I went and ended up being thoroughly unimpressed.
July 8th
4:00 Diunna Greenlead & Blue Mercy
Blue Mercy opened up the show, with the lead guitarist Jonn Richardson blowing licks like you have seen. This guy is going to end up in rock hall of fame. This guy should be on the stage with likes of Buddy Guy and Stevie Ray.
When Diunna hits the stage the blues and soul hits high gear with a personality and performance larger then her presence. Rooted down south, Diunna is a true blues star. I'd really like to see these guys again. This show made me feel better about chewing on some corn bread and building myself for comfort and not speed.
5:45 Leo Kottke
Leo is a very talented technical guitarist. When the mic wasn't working Leo was still too focused on his guitar playing to care. Leo is a little too technical to really get into, but puts on a show for those guitar players out there. Pure unadulterated guitar masturbation.
7:00 Joel Plaskett Emergency
This show has to be one of the biggest hidden gems of this years Bluesfest. This band has rock star oozing from all extremities. I can't wait till they come back. If you haven't had a chance to see these guys in concert I highly recommend it. I hope to see them go places (other then hanging out in the east).
9:30 The White Stripes
I have never been a big fan of Meg Black watching videos and listening to the album. Well my mind has changed. Meg might not be the best drummer in the world but watching her play along side Jack is a show. Jack is crazy on stage switching up songs and timings like you wouldn't believe, and Meg can keep up with it all! This show was like watching a the American Gladiator version of rock concerts. It's incredible how 2 people can put on such a high energy rock show. These 2 are deep rooted in the blues, and Jack let it come out with a very blues based set, stepping up to the plate with the critics wondering if he was blues enough to headline (Hey anyone thought why the hell Hedley with all their 12 year old fans were there? See Buddy Guy for more).
July 9th
7:45 In-Flight Safety
Well if you like Coldplay you'll like the styling of In-Flight Safety. If you don't like Coldplay you can be really happy to see a better clone of them, and not get charge $200 a ticket! I hate Coldplay but these guys were not too bad. I enjoyed laying down on the lawn and listening in the sun to them. It was a mellow way to build up for Buddy Guy.
9:00 Buddy Guy
By far the best crowd pleaser of the festival. The only downside is some idiot thought it was a good idea to let Hedley play at this festival while Buddy Guy was on the Riverstage. Buddy puts on a show that is full of electricity, showing up his former tour buddy Hendrix with his own version of classic mouth to guitar work. This show packed this tiny stage, and made for great fun especially when Buddy walked through the crowd playing a guitar solo. Guy was 2 feet in front of Bev and I pounding away on the guitar. This guy needs to be headlining the show.
July 10th
Oh boy... well I've had been fighting a cold from the start of Bluesfest and what can I say? I needed some down time. The show had been amazing up to this point. But the body some times tells you to lay down and take some down time.
July 11th
9:30 Steve Miller Band
Well still feeling sick from the night before I was able to catch only the beginning of the show. But the beginning was really awesome, and I'm looking forward to making it up to Miller for missing the rest of the show. The largest crowd of Bluesfest came out for this one.
July 12th
9:30 Xavier Rudd
For anyone that has never seen Xavier you have to see this guy. What an amazing show! I only wish I could have seen this one in a park on a sunny day. I was happy to have my little sister come along with me. Xavier was her first experience at a concert and I don't think she could of had a better time. Xavier's music is electrifying, making you want to dance the night away.
July 13th
9:30 Ten Years After
a 10 minute drum solo...... Enough said! Wish I was at Woodstock to see these guys rock. Too bad the encore was ruined due to a blown amp, which ended up being a real down to the performance.
July 14th
5:15 King Sunshine
A really fun band that keep the disco spirit alive.
6:15 Deadstring Brothers
The Deadstring Brothers was one of my favorite Bluesfest surprises. I'm a big fan of The Band and Janis Joplin, and the vocals and music had the essence of both! The raw vocals was a nice Janis like feeling. I hope these guys come back next year.
8:00 Sam Roberts Band
I've seen Sam a couple times and he always puts on a solid show. I ran into a old friend and ended up chatting through most of the performance, but it was solid.
9:30 Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
Dap-Kings and Sharon Jones were the perfect end to the Bluesfest. It was great ending the festival with a band I didn't know, that put on a hell of a show. With the dance squad plucked from the crowd, or the poor guy that had to dance his heart out on stage, the audience was all over this show. Thanks for a great ending.
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