Benz World Blog » Mojo

Rob Hirst

Jason Benz — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 07:23:52 +0000

This image is musician, songwriter and producer Rob Hirst playing with the Backsliders on the Mojo stage at Bluesfest 2023.

Rob also played Bluesfest in 2022 with a band he founded called Midnight Oil. When they played the first three notes of his song “Beds Are Burning”, I saw the crowd move as one as far as the eye could see. It was an amazing experience I will never forget.

After it was announced the Backsliders would be back for Bluesfest 2026, I downloaded their latest album “Bonecrunch” It is an old school electric blues album, full of rhythmic energy, and perfect for getting your Blues on.

I was listening to it when I read the tragic news that Rob Hirst had lost his battle with cancer. After the initial shock, the music community and Bluesfest responded by announcing a tribute to Rob Hirst to be performed at the festival by a range of musicians. I suspect “Beds Are Burning” will echo around the festival in 2026.

UPDATE: Bluesfest 2026 has been cancelled and the Backsliders Rob Hirst tribute has moved to the Byron Theatre on the 4th April.

Many of the artists from the cancelled Bluesfest 2026 line up are continuing with revised gigs, including….

Sublime:
Wednesday, April 1st – Festival Hall, Melbourne VIC
Saturday, April 4th – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney NSW
Wednesday, April 8th – Wolfbook Arena, Christchurch NZ
Friday, April 10th – Trusts Arena, Auckland NZ
Saturday, April 11th – Brewtown, Wellington NZ

The Black Crowes:
Thursday, April 2nd – The Forum, Melbourne VIC
Friday, April 3rd – The Forum, Melbourne VIC
Monday, April 6th – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane QLD
Wednesday, April 8th (NEW SHOW) – Enmore Theatre, Sydney NSW
Thursday, April 9th – Enmore Theatre, Sydney NSW

Pogues:
Wednesday, March 25th – Fremantle Prison, Fremantle WA
Friday, March 27th – Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide SA
Sunday, March 29th – The Forum, Melbourne VIC
Thursday, April 2nd (NEW SHOW) – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane QLD
Sunday, April 5th – Sydney Opera House, Sydney NSW
Monday, April 6th – Sydney Opera House, Sydney NSW
Wednesday, April 8th – St James Theatre, Wellington NZ
Thursday, April 9th – Christchurch Town Hall, Christchurch NZ
Saturday, April 11th – NZICC Theatre, Auckland NZ

Marcus King:
~~Wednesday, April 1st – Powerstation, Auckland NZ~~
~~Wednesday, April 8th – Enmore Theatre, Sydney NSW~~
~~Friday, April 10th – The Forum, Melbourne VIC~~
~~Saturday, April 11th – Hindley St Music Hall, Adelaide SA~~

The Wailers:
Wednesday, April 1st – Drifters Wharf, Gosford NSW
Thursday, April 2nd – Metro Theatre, Sydney NSW
Friday, April 3rd – Finnians Tavern, Port Macquarie NSW
Saturday, April 4th – Coffs Hotel, Coffs Harbour NSW
Sunday, April 5th – Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads NSW

Split Enz:
Wednesday, May 6th – TSB Bank Arena, Wellington NZ
Thursday, May 7th – TSB Bank Arena, Wellington NZ
Friday, May 9th – Spark Arena, Auckland NZ
Saturday, May 10th – Spark Arena, Auckland NZ
Wednesday, May 13th – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC
Thursday, May 14th – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC
Monday, May 18th – TikTok Entertainment Centre, Sydney NSW
Tuesday, May 19th – TikTok Entertainment Centre, Sydney NSW
Friday, May 22nd – RAC Arena, Perth WA
Monday, May 25th – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide SA

The Living End:
Saturday, April 4th – Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads NSW

Miss Kaninna

Jason Benz — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 13:25:50 +0000

This is proud and unapologetic Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Kalkadoon, and Yirendali woman, Miss Kaninna, on the Mojo stage on the 3rd day of the sold-out Byron Bay Bluesfest 2025. She reminded me of seeing Lady Saw in Jamaica 20 years ago. Full of raw, angry, in-your-face energy and raunchy lyrics. Later in the set, she told stories about her family, who had suffered at the hands of police in Australia. She urged everyone to use their vote to stop the opposition leader and ex-cop from becoming Prime Minister in 2 weeks. The crowd responded with a big cheer. In fact her political message went down better than Albos attempt on the same stage 3 years ago, which was met with boos for the same vote appeal. Maybe Miss Kaninna should write the Prime Minister’s speeches from now on. It would certainly liven up the election.

UPDATE: Due to the success of Bluesfest this year, It’s future has been confirmed. Discounted early bird tickets for next year are being sold during the festival via this link.

Allison Russell

Jason Benz — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 21:45:09 +0000

Elenna Canlas(left) and Allison Russell(right) on the Mojo stage at the 2023 Bluesfest in Australia.

As sure as Canucks like hockey, Allison is the most I have listened to a Canadian since Alanis Morissette, …which was… 30 years ago! Yikes, now I feel old. I didn’t realise until Bluesfest that Allison had launched a solo album. I was still listening to the outstanding third “Birds of Chicago” studio album “Love in Wartime” which I have played more than any other music in the last few years.

It turns out “Birds of Chicago” is on “indefinite hiatus” I feared this might be a euphemism for the swan song of my favourite pigeon pair. What would the Canada warbler sound like without the swift grackle and chickadee of JT Nero’s guitar sounds? The loss of their perfect blend of harmony, melody, texture and rhythm could be a jagged little pill to swallow wren my favourite song sparrow turns a new leaf.

I got hold of Allison Russell’s first solo album “Outside Child”

The lyrics tell very personal stories. I was happy to discover musically the album is an evolution from “Birds of Chicago” rather than a complete break. JT Nero is listed as one of the writers and sings a charming duet with his wife called “Joyful Motherfuckers” The music is like “Birds of Chicago” at a relaxed pace with a greater focus on Allison’s powerfully emotive voice and her transcendence from her early life.

“Birds of Ontario” may be closer, JT Nero’s midwestern tones are largely absent and in more than half the songs Allison taps into her inner maple syrup sipper when she slips in and out of French as she sings. I can’t wait to hear that beautiful voice one more time, while she also leads the charge to make clarinet music cool again. Allison Russell has been confirmed for the final Byron Bay Bluesfest at 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. Discounted early bird tickets for the 2026 festival are available here.

Little Quirks

Jason Benz — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 04:57:35 +0000

This is Jaymi Toole playing the mandolin and singing with the Little Quirks as they opened the Mojo stage with their dynamic folk/rock/pop style at Bluesfest 2024 in Byron Bay. They put on the most passionate and energetic performance I have seen at the festival, and they have some stiff competition. Like many at this festival, they started out busking on the streets of Australia and dreaming of one day playing Bluesfest. Today their dream came true, and they made the most of it. It was great to see artists having so much fun onstage. Little Quirks will be back on the final Monday of music. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

Jaymi Toole and Abbey Toole from Little Quirks opening the Mojo stage at Bluesfest 2024 in Byron Bay.

Susan Tedeschi

Jason Benz — Sat, 30 Mar 2024 12:59:49 +0000

This is the Tedeschi Trucks Band headlining the Mojo stage on day 3 of Bluesfest 2024 in Byron Bay, Australia. Susan Tedeschi pictured singing, although she was not alone, by the end of the set almost half the band had been lead singer, including Mike Mattison who originally sang in The Derek Trucks Band before they fused with Susan’s band to form Tedeschi Trucks. 2 more days of music, ticket available via the Bluesfest Website.

The Waifs

Jason Benz — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 07:00:35 +0000

This is Josh Cunningham from The Waifs on the Mojo stage at the historic Bluesfest 2022.

Imagine mixing the music of Sonny Boy Williamson and The Corrs, then leaving it to bake in the West Australian sun until you can smell the spinifex.

In the lead track “Fisherman’s Daughter” of their breakthrough 4th album “Up All Night” the singer describes herself as Folk, which is true, although that track has more than a few hints of Country music until the harmonica gets in high gear, then it is pure Blues.

The rest of the album also walks the line between genres with a wide array of guitar picking, which I should have guessed, as the core of this band is 3 guitar players.

Blues, Folk and Country music are centred around the most unifying of Australian traditions—that of storytelling. Many Aussies live their whole lives without visiting Western Australia, which is why you should take any opportunity to hear their best troubadours when they tour. WA stories are always a treat.

In 11 years the Waifs went from strumming a few Bob Dylan covers at their local pub in Albany to opening for Bob Dylan on tour.

Even more impressive is for the first 5 years, as they travelled around Australia doing gigs, they all fitted in one Kombi van.

They are set to return to the festival on the 1st of April 2024. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

Ollie McGill

Jason Benz — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 13:59:30 +0000

This is Ollie McGill on the Mojo stage at Bluesfest 2023. Along with Felix Riebl, they are the remaining two-thirds of the founding trio of The Cat Empire. The band’s history includes over 40 musicians, enough for a chamber orchestra. After their last gig with the original lineup at Bluesfest 2022 there were a number of changes in the lineup. This made the reformed Kitten Empire the most anticipated show at Bluesfest 2023. Who would be there? What songs would they play? Would they still have that festival energy they are famous for? Australian Musician got the scoop on their new album. Watch this space for more Bluesfest stories throughout the year.

The Cat Empire 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.

Counting Crows

Jason Benz — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 13:59:19 +0000

This is Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows taking the audience of the Mojo stage back in time at Bluesfest in Byron Bay, Australia. In the early 90′s when Grunge was busy reviving the bones of Punk, one band from San Francisco, California, took the road less travelled by. Adam looked to the troubadours, like Bob Dylan and Van Morrison, and decided to keep the art of storytelling alive with vivid imagery and heartfelt lyrics. The music has a timeless quality. They have remained on my playlist for 30 years because, like wine, they only improve with age.

Adam’s current favourite band is Gang of Youths, who headlined last night at Bluesfest. Adam also sang on their latest album.

2 more days of music, the sun is out, and tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

UPDATE: The Counting Crows will return to the festival in 2026. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

Byron Bay Bluesfest 2026
1st artist reveal

Jimmy Barnes

Jason Benz — Mon, 16 May 2022 23:07:56 +0000

This is Jimmy Barnes belting out a classic tune on the Mojo stage at Bluesfest 2022. Despite the audience coming out in force to watch this Cold Chisel legend, it was his introduction which made the news. Jimmy asked opposition Labor Leader, Anthony Albanese, to introduce his band. Unfortunately for Albo, there was an audible section of the crowd who did not appreciate a politician in an election campaign delaying the performance by 2 minutes. The mix of booing and cheering ebbed and flowed as he spoke. It created an uncomfortable tension you rarely see in festival crowds, but nothing compared to the sound everyone made together when Jimmy stepped on stage.

Understanding why discontent with government extends beyond those in power, maybe down to the area and its history. The Northern Rivers is a centre for counter-culture in Australia so it is naturally sceptical of big government. Since the last Bluesfest, there has been no pause between drought, fire, plague and flood. Bluesfest 2021 was cancelled with 1 day of notice by a government spooked by 1 covid case. The timing ensured maximum economic damage to businesses and artists already on their knees from the fires. When people started drowning, the government did not respond. Emergency calls went unanswered. It was the community, in a fleet of small private boats who saved the lives of people trapped in their homes. Locals are not surprised when politicians seeking photo ops with survivors get the cold shoulder. Anger at government inaction is so strong the current PM did not risk contact with the public at any point during his obligatory visit after the floods. So tension continued to build and needed to be released.

Bluesfest 2022 has shown that music has a role in mental and economic recovery. Gathering around music is in our DNA. We do it because we are human beings. When we immerse ourselves in music, the rest of the world disappears. This is an essential reprieve, especially when dealing with ongoing trauma. Being reminded of the imminent election during their overdue catharsis was too much for some, but was forgotten as soon as Jimmy began to sing.

UPDATE: Despite Jimmy and Albo getting Covid during the campaign, Albo became Australia’s 31st prime minister on 22nd May 2022.

This image cannot be used as editorial due to localized adjustments so this is purely an exercise in Photoshop for the blog. I used a sunset shot from South Australia called Solar Nuke to add yellow and red. The unedited image is available for download here.

UPDATE: Jimmy will be back onstage on Sunday 31st March 2024. Tickets are available via the Bluesfest Website.

Felix Riebl

Jason Benz — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 16:32:56 +0000

It is not every day you are asked to photograph the end of an empire. The Mojo stage finale on Day 1 at Bluesfest 2022 saw the final gig of Melbourne 6-piece, The Cat Empire. After 8 albums and 20 years of touring including 16 shows at 9 Bluesfests. Felix exploded onto the stage like a coiled spring. His energy was only matched by the audience who made a sound so loud it tickled my eardrums. This last hurrah was planned before the big pause so the anticipation was electric. They drew heavily on their debut album whose anthemic tracks had the crowd cheering for more. The dynamism of these musicians ensures the legacy of this cat empire will be many musical kittens. (image download here)

UPDATE: Felix is relaunching the Cat Empire with a new lineup and is billed to return to the festival in 2023 tickets are available via the Bluesfest website.

UPDATE: The Cat Empire 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.