Live Review: Bluesfest Day Three (Saturday, 19 April 2025)
Saturday brings a huge line up of stellar performances with unforgettable live music moments and fresh hope that it may not be the end of Bluesfest after all.
Crowded House performing live. (Credit: Peter Dovgan)
Today at Bluesfest, Festival Director Peter Noble was joined by Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Mandy Nolan of The Greens, officially launching their Festivals Support Package with a plan to bring much-needed support to keep Australia’s festival scene alive and thriving.
Locals and music fans eagerly await more information but hope that the 36th edition of Bluesfest won’t be the last.
Day three is the busiest so far, with people packing into the festival to get on board and support live music in Australia. The car parks are full, buses are at capacity and tickets are sold out. We’re here to keep the spirit of Bluesfest alive with positive energy, good vibes and plenty of dancing ready to experience Saturday’s magic.
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Ash Grunwald gives a captivating performance to welcome in punters to the Jambalaya stage in the afternoon with his soulful blues, raw energy, and masterful storytelling. He immediately draws in the audiences from far and wide, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere with his gritty vocals and intricate guitar work.
Grunwald’s talent shines through with his charismatic, genuine and heartfelt blues music full of soul. He showcases his versatility by seamlessly switching between various instruments, including guitars, stomp boxes and loop pedals. His ability to layer sounds and create rich, textured music is exceptional and his soulful voice with rhythmic prowess keeps the audience entranced from start to finish.
There’s a stillness in the air at the Crossroads stage as Ry X captivates our attention with his mesmerising blend of ethereal vocals, atmospheric soundscapes, and intimate storytelling. He takes us on a journey with his set starting off with a deeply mellow and hypnotic vibe to draw us into a state of calm and reflection. Opening with some more intimate tracks including Sweat and Salt, he showcases his soulful falsetto and delicate guitar work with haunting vocals and minimalist arrangements that includes a live violinist.
Ry X’s set progressively builds momentum with his incredible musical layering and emotional depth with lush soundscapes featuring projections of water that make us feel fully immersed in the moment of songs including Oceans, Shortline, and The Water.
“It’s an absolute honour to be here with you and play a hometown show. I grew up coming to this festival and it’s such a meaningful part of my life and my music and it’s beautiful to be home and spend this evening with you,” he says, before concluding with Howling.
Xavier Rudd’s music speaks to the soul with his captivating blend of soulful melodies, powerful messages, and impressive genre-defying multi-instrumental talent to create a spiritually charged atmosphere.
We instantly connect with Rudd’s contagious free-spirited and earthy vibe and he exudes a warm presence throughout the Crossroads stage with his heartfelt music. We sing and dance along watching in awe as he juggles multiple instruments effortlessly transitioning between guitar, didgeridoo, and drums, often simultaneously, all whilst singing and beatboxing in between.
Gary Clark Jr. commands the Mojo stage with his blues-rock, showcasing his incredible guitar skills and soulful vocals cementing his status as one of the finest musicians of his generation.
The atmosphere is electric, and he immediately entrances the audience with his gritty, bluesy sound. His combination of technical skill, emotional depth, and stage presence ensures an unforgettable experience.
His set is a perfect mix of his hits and newer material, including tracks from his 2024 album JPEG RAW. Clark's rendition of Bright Lights is a highlight which has the crowd singing along and swaying to the infectious rhythm. His gifted talent to blend rock, blues, soul, and jazz into a cohesive and powerful performance is something truly special to witness live.
The crowd packs in for Vance Joy as the Crossroads stage comes alive with his heartfelt music kicking off with Mess Is Mine. He’s got a horn section on stage with him tonight to create a big sound to create a powerful performance to reach the masses.
His friends and family are in the crowd tonight and he shares a beautiful little story behind the song Fire And The Flood, before he sings the crowd favourite track. “I was coming down for breakfast one morning and my mum said to me, I’ve got a lyric idea for you – Everything is fine when your head is next to mine,” he reveals. We sing along in unison at the top of our voices with him creating a strong emotional connection.
It’s Saturday night so fittingly he sings Saturday Sun for us to celebrate. He then makes his way to a B-stage to get a bit closer to the middle of the crowd under the Crossroads tent. He plays a solo acoustic version of I’m With You. Kasey Chambers joins him for a very special duet of Sheryl Crow’s If It Makes You Happy and Chambers even plays the harmonica alongside him.
As Joy makes his way back to the main stage for a big finish, he includes a surprise throwback cover of KISS' I Was Made for Lovin' You, adding a fun twist to the evening before the beloved Riptide leaving everyone singing along and dancing in a moment of pure joy.
The Cat Empire never disappoint with their live performance that’s a vibrant celebration of musical diversity, energy, and joy that’s testament to their enduring appeal and dynamic stage presence.
The audience is buzzing with excitement from the very first note, as they bring their high-energy that immediately has the crowd up on their feet, dancing and singing along. They manage to please fans new and old with classic hits and newer material, showcasing their ability to blend genres seamlessly. Songs like Two Shoes, Brighter Than Gold, and Steal The Light highlight their unique fusion of jazz, funk, ska, and Latin influences full of infectious rhythms and irresistible beats.
Festival headliner Crowded House kicks off with When You Come immediately setting a jubilant tone. “We’re so happy to be here. It’s Saturday night, the only acceptable night over Easter to have a good time. Oh fuck it, you can have a good time all Easter,” says Neil Finn before he continues with Mean To Me.
The band's chemistry is undeniable, with each member contributing to the overall magic of the performance that’s a masterclass in melodic rock, filled with timeless hits and engaging stage presence.
They start a singalong of DJ Ötzi’s version of Hey Baby with a slightly psychedelic vibe before leading in To The Island. The setlist is a well-curated mix of classics and new material delivered with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
“What a glorious weekend. I’ve been on the surf today. I carry the salt in my hair and the sand in my shoes and sand in my crack. We’ll take that home to New Zealand tomorrow,” Finn jokes with his band members.
One of the standout moments is their performance of Don't Dream It's Over, which has the entire audience singing along. They throw in a couple of covers including Split Enz’ I Got You and Talking Heads’ Road To Nowhere and ending their encore with Better Be Home Soon to leave us on a high note to end a truly memorable live performance and the perfect way to bring the night to a close.
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