[Live Review] VACY BLUES & ROOTS FESTIVAL

Vacy Blues & Roots Festival
Saturday October 18, 2014 :

The Vacy Blues & Roots festival was held on Saturday in the Hunter Valley only 30 minutes from Maitland and less than two and a half hours from Sydney. This is the second year this boutique festival has been held and I am really pleased to say it was a raging success.

There is no doubt the promoter took a risk putting a real country slant on the day but overall with double the crowd from 2013, all signs point to a success. The festival itself had a great feel, kids were welcome and whilst there was a police presence, there were no incidents to spoil the event.

I was particularly impressed with the line-up. The top acts I have seen a number of times this year but I was particularly interested in the Newcastle talent placed cleverly between each major act. This allowed for 30 minutes of exposure. Some of the acoustic acts on display included Wesley’s Edge, Jus Jez, Thomas Blake and Allon. By far the most impressive young artist who claimed the stage was a young girl called Jessie Drane. This young lady’s deep voice combined with skilful guitar playing left the audience impressed and wanting more.

Of the headliners, Steve Edmonds opened the even and rocked the house even thought it was only midday. His skilful guitar playing demonstrated clearly why he is considered one of Australia’s best guitarists.

Next on stage was The Viper Creek Band. Yes, I am a fan no question, however Newcastle’s hardest working band has got very tight in the last 12 months. The band now has a large following and talking to lead singer Damien Baguley, 2015 looks even busier for this band.

Nashville resident country rocker, 8 Ball Aitken, took the stage showing the crowd why he is considered one of country’s guitar greats. Playing his cigar box 3 string and mixing it with his flame shaped guitar, Aitken slayed the audience with clever rifts and expertise way beyond his years on the axe. Joking with the crowd, Aitken said “If your mother likes your rock & roll collection you have bad taste in music”. It really was great to see him back in his homeland.

Ray Beadle played a crafty 90 minute set navigating the audience back to why they were here, blues and plenty of it. This was one snug band with nothing to offer but skilful music and cleverly introduced lyrics. I could have easily been sitting in Beale Street, Memphis, enjoying some shrimp and tasting a local brew, this is where this guy belongs. The crowd joined the pit at the start of the set and thirsts were not quenched after 90 minutes with the crowd wanting more.

The Adam Eckersley Band were next on the bill. Apart from being some of the nicest guys in music, this is questionably Australia’s most under rated band at the moment. Fitting comfortably into a definitive country category, Eckersley cut his teeth on roots and simply bleeds the blues. This four piece outfit have recently released their first album and it is a cracker, played to death at my house. I simply love it. If you have to find a niche for this band, it is caught somewhere between the American West Coast sound of the 70’s, add a drop of country and mix with some of the best guitar playing anywhere in Australia at the moment. By far the best set of the day and no, I was not satisfied, I could have easily heard half a dozen more. Thanks guys.

Enter the biggest men in country, literally, at over 6 foot 5 they are giants. Drew McAlister and Troy Kemp have taken country rock by the scruff of the neck releasing three albums in the past four years. Taking the stage, the band rocked it out playing a back catalogue and one or two covers. ‘Fight Me’ is a great song released of their current album Harder To Tame. The set consisted of songs from all three albums including ‘Country Proud’, ‘It Don’t Buy You Love’ mixed in with a killer version of Sonia Dada’s ‘You Don’t Treat Me No Good’. In 2015, MK will no doubt try and conquer the lucrative American market. For the moment, it’s great to see them at home and local.

Overall a great day. Yes there were sound issues but when you think about what was delivered, that was nothing. To give a handful of local artists an opportunity to showcase on the same stage as the major artists with no loss in time is pure genius. To Lenny and the guys that put you balls on the block, kudos to you for an awesome day. Support this next year Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, I know I will.

Reviewer and Photographer: David Jackson

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