Live Review: Bluesfest Day Three

By day three most people are starting to look and feel pretty dusty, Lime Cordiale offered some refreshment with their opening spot on the Crossroads Stage and it went down smooth. Fronted by brothers Oli and Louis Limebach the four-piece were too much fun. The Limebach's seem to compete for the vocally, Oli will front a song beautifully and Louis will top it, but it's when they harmonize that they are at their best. Lime Cordiale have built themselves a fresh sound and a growing audience, and with Chugg Music launching in North America this year international success could be within grasp.

Kate Miller-Heidke needed only her voice, her guitarist and, at time, her piano to stun. The range and strength of Miller-Heidke's voice literally had jaws dropping, combined with her gorgeous personality and overt likeability it made for one of the most endearing sets of the festival thus far.  Her rendition of Psycho Killer went through a mash of songs and was rounded out with the final line from Stairway To Heaven. Her ability to cross effortlessly between a whisper and roaring opera falsettos made for a truly impressive celebration of Australian talent.

Jimmy Vaughan is the ultimate hipster, pulling out an hour of blues rock'n'roll that had everybody doing the mashed potato dressed like greasers. These guys didn't do it before it was cool, they did it when it was cool the first time.

The Soul Rebels dancing in unison, powering through hit after hit from War's Lowrider to Pharrell Williams' Happy managed to produce a completely original set without playing an original song and after that the Mojo Tent was too tempting to leave.

Sean Kuti continued the legacy of his father Fela Kuti, the inventor of Afrobeat. Along with his dad's orchestra Egypt 80, Kuti showed that funk is in his DNA. Kuti's energy is electric, it's pretty safe to say not many present own Sean Kuti records, or even knew any of his tracks, but it didn't matter. The musical energy transcends recognition or the desire to sing along and becomes something that is felt and experienced without thought. 

John Butler Trio straight up love Bluesfest, it seems like they're there every year albeit with different members, but John Butler's star has risen with Bluesfest and he likes to give back. Switching between his 12-string Maton and a six-string Gibson, Butler picked his way through Better Than and amazed with his fast fingers during Ocean. Zebra was last and caused mass mouthing of that famous riff from the Mojo crowd.

Dave Matthews Band are the most professional touring band at Bluesfest, they produced their first of two 150 minute sets after JBT and amazingly held the crowd the entire time. 150 minutes seems like a lot on paper but it flew by due to the intelligent design of the set. They didn't dedicate as much time to the latest two albums as the back catalogue. The six-piece all had their chance to shine, Matthews did regularly with his exquisite vocals and charming banter. Violinist Boyd Tinsley came to the front of stage for Dancing Nancies, and saxophonist Jeff Coffin regularly amazed. The alterations of tracks for the live show is special, they build low key tracks up to dizzying heights and keep them there for twenty minutes. DMB were a great way to end the Saturday, and might be the best option on Monday too.