Benz World Blog » Card

Xavier Rudd

Jason Benz — Tue, 10 May 2022 07:40:31 +0000

This is multi-instrumentalist, Xavier Rudd, on the Crossroads stage at Bluesfest 2022. The set began in a chilled soulful way with him playing 12 string guitar, didgeridoo, lap slide guitar and harmonica, before getting behind a drum kit.

Browndog used his track “Follow The Sun” in their Monday Bluesfest Montage. Since then it has been stuck in my head, as it has good navigation advice for those living in mobile photon catchers. I bought his 2012 album “Spirit Bird” and listened to it as I reviewed his photos.

The album uses samples from Australia’s diverse and musical songbird populations. Since I moved here in 2011 the variety of their tunes has been a constant wonder. As songbirds originated in Australia and they predate humans anywhere, this land probably heard the first music.

This shot captured his smile, but the background was a dull dark brown. I was inspired to get creative by another photographer Jason Rosewarne, who produces artworked festival images to a very high standard.

This image cannot be used as editorial due to localised adjustments, so this is purely a fun exercise in Photoshop for the blog. I used a sunset shot from South Australia called Solar Nuke to add the yellow, orange and red spots. Difference blend mode was used with a soft, scattered brush to create the blue, purple and green fireflies.

(unedited image download here)

Xavier Rudd will return one last time for the final Byron Bay Bluesfest in Easter 2025. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

UPDATE: In 2026 Bluesfest will be the last in a line of major festivals closed from increasing headwinds. This began before covid, with the previous state government’s legislative “war on festivals“. The new government risks letting this trend continue through inaction. However, you can change this. If 20,000 signatures are received, the NSW Parliament must debate Bluesfest’s future. #savebluesfest if you live in the state Sign up here. For everyone else, there is an international petition on change.org Sign up here.

UPDATE: Due to the success of Bluesfest 2025, its future has been confirmed. Xavier Rudd will return to the festival in 2026. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2026
1st artist reveal

Funk Chunk

Jason Benz — Sat, 16 Apr 2022 23:47:18 +0000

This is the Melbourne Ska Orchestra rockin’ the Delta stage on the third day of Bluesfest 2022. They are my favourite band to photograph due to their spectacular show. The exceptional blend of organised chaos must be seen to be believed. They extend the limit of what up to 25 people can do on a stage simultaneously. They have been busy too, recording 7 studio albums, overturning the assumption that big bands write slowly. Defying the possible is MSO MO. All the new tunes in their set had the instant catchy quality they are known for. Their energy is infectious and inspires wild dancing in the crowd. (image download here)

The Melbourne Ska Orchestra will return one last time for the final Byron Bay Bluesfest in Easter 2025, tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

UPDATE: Due to the success of Bluesfest 2025, its future has been confirmed. Discounted early bird tickets for the 2026 festival are available here.

Gabriela Quintero

Jason Benz — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 23:12:46 +0000

This is Gabriela Quintero playing with Rodrigo Sanchez on the Crossroads stage of Bluesfest 2015. Their music is a curious mix of classic flamenco inspired by heavy metal. You have probably heard them without realizing as their acoustic duets have found their way on to movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Puss in Boots. Gabriela has a percussive style of guitar playing. After breaking a string, Instead of having a guitar tech hand her a spare guitar like most bands do these instrumentalists enlisted the Bluesfest audience in a singalong to Radiohead’s Creep. It was an inspired choice of song as it took no time for everyone to join in. It was a wonderful festival moment. (image download here)

Rodrigo and Gabriela will return to the festival in 2025, tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

Paul Janeway

Jason Benz — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 23:06:26 +0000

This is St Paul and the Broken Bones on the Crossroads stage at Bluesfest 2017. Lead singer Paul Janeway is a force of nature. His passionate performance of authentic southern soul led a band with a massive groove factor.

UPDATE: St Paul will be back at the 30th Bluesfest in 2019. It is guaranteed to be a great show.

UPDATE: The band will return to the festival in 2023, tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website. A few days after the Easter festival they have shows in Melbourne and Sydney, tickets from Bluesfest Touring

This image is available for download here.

Neil Finn

Jason Benz — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 13:33:49 +0000

This is Neil Finn playing the Crossroads stage on the final day of Bluesfest 2017. Neil is a prolific songwriter, guitarist and singer. He was awarded an OBE for services to New Zealand music in 1993 with his brother, Tim Finn. He was joined on stage by bandmate and Crowded House bassist, Nick Seymour. They played many of their classic songs to an appreciative audience who sang along to hit after hit to close a wonderful festival. Crowded House will return one last time for the final Byron Bay Bluesfest in Easter 2025, tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

UPDATE: Due to the success of Bluesfest 2025, its future has been confirmed. Neil Finn will join his brother Tim Finn for a special reunion of Split Enz at Bluesfeat 2026. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2026
1st artist reveal

25th Bluesfest

Jason Benz — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 13:59:01 +0000

This is Grace Potter on the Mojo stage, who along with her band The Nocturnals, put on an awesome performance tonight at the Byron Bay Bluesfest in New South Wales, Australia. The festival is small enough that we managed to get to the front row for Grace Potter, Eric Bibb and Seth Lakeman today. We hope we are lucky enough to do the same for the headline act, Dave Matthews Band tomorrow.

Hopetoun Rocks

Jason Benz — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:59:33 +0000

Last night we went to Hopetoun‘s Christmas Party at the local pub. They had set up a marquee out the back where Esperance band Sezwho performed to the crowd with an assortment of Aussie 80′s Rock. We were both impressed with the gig and I suspect I had one too many beers by the way my head felt this morning. The temperature has started reaching the low 30′s recently so we are glad to both be off on Friday. We plan to camp at a site on the South Coast Highway tonight and then explore Bremer Bay tomorrow.