Mitchell Creek Rock N Blues Festival 10th Anniversary
Friday, Saturday, Sunday 17-19 September 2021
Kandanga, Mary Valley, Noosa Hinterland
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If you like the musical styles of blues and rock and the broader range of sub-genres or mixed genres, then all you need to know is that Mitchell Creek Rock N Blues Festival (MCRNBF) brings it annually for three whole days and you should be there!
Festival Director, Jimmy Budgen and his crew can raise their middle fingers to the dreaded thing we have come to call the “C” (COVID) for a second time as they host the MCRNBF 10th anniversary event - which mostly through reputation and word of mouth, is another sold-out festival.
What? No ticket? I am sorry for your loss as I am on my way to Budgen’s gorgeous private 100-acre Kandanga property with its natural amphitheatre that is home to the MCRNBF. Akin to the chaos that is Tank Girl, I failed to plan. I hit minor traffic congestion at the drive in entry and realise I am missing Bobby Longstaff opening. I could write my own blues song right here as I was looking forward to his bluesy-soul, pop-folk tunes I hear faintly from my car.
Once in, it is quick and easy to park the car and do the QR scan. Like any other year, I can see around the perimeter of the main area that the festival is again well catered for. The VIP Marquees are up and lining the main area are a variety of hot food vans and vendors selling cured meats, fresh coffee, ice-cream, sorbets, ice for eskies. Market stalls have art, jewellery and gifts. Vendors can also sort you out if you lose your shirt, pants, or hat. As always there are showers for the campers and ample toilets for all.
Following the request to keep mobile reception available to shop keepers, I flick my phone to flight mode and make my way between punters spread out on camping chairs, blankets, and blow-up mattresses as I head to the dual stages. On stage are five-piece, Sunny Coast locals, Band of Frequencies which is one of the tightest bands on the local scene that capture the attention of any crowd they play before. I am in love with their instrumental breakouts and super smooth rock-funk and reggae-infused original songs. Their set pumps out energy to the morning crowd ending with the reggae funk feels of a track called ‘Sunday’ and punters want more.
Winner of Victoria’s Blues Performer of the Year, Sweet Felicia and the Honeytones who were semi-finalists at the International Blues Challenge Memphis Tennessee, came swinging in on stage with their world-class rhythm and blues sounds. It’s not surprising to see Hussy Hicks Leesa Gentz and Jules Parker among the crowd. “Australia’s darling of the Blues”, with her BB King autographed telecaster bass strapped on is bursting with a voice that could be channelling Big Mama Thornton. The set is a mix of originals and covers of rhythm and soul including Big Maybelle’s version of Stick McGhee’s ‘One Monkey Don't Stop No Show’ and Ruth Brown’s ‘Lucky Lips’. Oh, the swing!
Tracy NcNeil and the Good Life well, technically it is McNeil and Dan Parsons with his fine guitar skills representing as a duo today. Putting out a top-quality set a standout for me is an original song ‘Not Like a Brother’ that has a groove like a Fleetwood Mac track with a dash of young Ronstadt resonating in McNeil’s strong vocals. Playing ‘Blueprint’ next, a song inspired by her father before ‘Catch You’ and finishing with ‘Stars’.
Delta Traders are well suited to follow and are enticing a sing-along with ‘Got My Mojo Working’ and ‘Baby Please Don’t Go’. With some dialogue introducing ‘Ghost Riders In The Sky’, I interpreted it to be that the band thinks (tongue in cheek) that we, the punters, are the Devil’s herd. Chuckles.
Mojo Collective brings it next and behind the gutsy pipes of Don Nicholas over a rhythm section equally rich and full. They kick it into gear early with familiar covers including a version of ‘What’s Yours is Mine’ and I am loving the guitar in this.
Up next is Phil Barlow and the Wolf. This was such an engaging act with a cracker setlist and big sound that knocked it out of the amphitheatre. The growing crowd, under instruction, and with the Wolf, are howling in joy to lift the oppressive feelings of “C”. A wolf in the front row gets a nod for a free CD from the Merch tent. Behind some funky thick bass beats, and solid drums is a groove that is getting a little dirtier and little darker with some magic guitar work and loads of crowd interaction before closing with ‘Dualistic’ from their new album.
The Base Coats from Mackay make their first appearance at MCRNBF. This four-piece is made up of couples who are giving us a solid and promising set that introduces unfamiliar punters to well-crafted originals of funk-rock-blues feels. They are seriously good and are one of a few bands who will play two sets across the three-day program.
Next the stage heats up with Her Way to Hell. No strangers to regular punters of MCRNBF, the rocking five-piece set about to shake the crowd all set long (wink). Performing well-rehearsed, well-known hits and anthems of AC/DC, they invoke a dynamite set long sing-along from the crowd. Covers include “TNT’, ‘Jail Break’ ‘Whole Lot of Rosie’ (where the first wardrobe malfunction for the festival occurs), and ‘She’s Got The Jack” which is eliciting hip gyrations among many turned on by its dirty blues mood. Loads of applause ensues.
Festival favourites wherever they roam, Hat Fitz and Cara give over a 1950’s treat early in the set among their well-crafted blues-roots setlist. The well-polished duo is on fire with the crowd chiming in on familiar songs.
To close out the night, are festival newcomers The Automaton, who also has two time slots on the program. I like a nice dose of heavy and most of my festival family embrace their sound. Punter’s ears pricked to the dark tones and chunky bluesy grit weaved in their originals. Pushing her pipes to the limit, frontwoman Daja Solomona is reminding me of Zack de la Roche (early Rage Against the Machine days) as she stalks sporadically back and forth across the stage. Fi Rapper is giving some hard hits on the tubs supporting heavy bass tones and some good fretwork on guitar before the final notes ring out across the arena and camping areas.
Day 1 done, dusted and devoured.
Saturday morning, Tutu Saturday to be precise. Late sleeping revellers are waking to the tones of a blues harp as Matt and the Mayor open. A cruisy version of Howlin’ Wolf’s ‘I Ain’t Superstitious’ was followed by haunting well-crafted harmonica licks ‘I’m A Stranger Here’ a Terry and McGhee cover followed by a shout out to his new grandson Jack with a tribute song that came in on a chugging harp and a bit of slide guitar heading on into a well-covered Newbern delta blues classic ‘Rollin’ and Tumblin’. Good morning MCRNBF!
The Amanda Emblem Experiment is up next and opens her set with ‘Beautiful Blues’ sung with a sweet cadence as more punters join us early birds. Emblem tells us ‘Lucky’ is written with the help of MCRNBF Director, Jimmy Budgen it has a happy rhythm and swing that pleases the crowd. During the set, punters are treated to ‘Last Miracle’, ‘Mary Mary’ you guessed it, a song relating to the Mary River and a song about drinking coconut rum made by someone she cannot mention and is encouraging a sing-along to its chorus. Emblem ends her set with ‘Mitchell Creek Blues’ and sings Advance Australian Fair as three parachutists fall from the sky. Once is carrying the biggest Australian flag there is - so Emcee Billy in his festival flairs, tells a cheering crowd.
We take a break for the Official Opening by Rob Skelton MP who gave special shout-out to the 60 volunteers keeping the festival safe, clean and running, and Mayor Glen Hartwig who acknowledged the hard times fallen on the music and arts industry. Also onstage is Ali from Zinc 96.1 FM who tells us about the revelling lady punter seen taking a dive roll in front of the stage the night before. Ali coins this, as the ‘dive roll of a Pea-beu sprayed spider” and proceeds to re-enact the roll across the stage. She is hilarious and we laughed even louder as she split her jeans in the process (wardrobe malfunction number two). The crowd cracks up as she asks if anyone has a Janome! Later her rip gets an emergency repair with gold ‘modesty’ duct tape.
I am now seeing many more tutus getting around. I must join in the dress-ups next year.
Karise Eden, winner of the Voice 2012 gets a loud cheer as she comes on stage. ripping out originals ‘Temporary Lovers’ and ‘Ain’t Thinking About You’ gets the fans in the crowd singing and cheering between songs. Eden has amazing edgy powerful pipes with a dash of grit that doesn’t detract from her melody. A tight band behind her makes it a highlight of my day! The crowd is singing and clapping along loudly to her ‘Mercedes Benz’ cover and the band punches the funky blues groove of ‘Stop Fucking With My Head’. I am undecided if it is the force of Franklin or Joplin that is strongest in this one. The killer set is stealing the hearts and punters are screaming, chanting, and whistling for more. Eden tells us it is the band’s first show together but appeases the crowd with a gutsy impromptu cover of “Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay’. Sounds bloody good to me.
The violin intro to Gypsy Rumble’s first song started out with a Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon sound and mood before it kicks us with all the energy and flamboyance of a gypsy carnival. Shoes? Not for these Sunshine Coast Gypsies. One song is about Joe’s uncle Stan a keen cameraman who takes wildlife photographs but is “$hit at geography”, he apparently “takes photos of elephants in the wild in Australia and kangaroos in Africa”. There is a quirky and playful feel to this band who also gives us ‘Grandma’s Pumpkin’. ‘Ode to Gin’ and ‘Home’ their new single.
Solo artist Mitch King from Stanthorpe is giving us a magic set. There’s a tune about getting pulled over by the cops for crossing a double white line and one called ‘Burning’ which is beautifully written and is hooking in the punters. A version of a Hunter’s and Collectors song has a fan in the crowd shouting “You’re the King”. With a killer set of originals and covers, I’ll keep an eye out for his two new singles.
The Lime Spiders are now up. I first encountered the Lime Spiders many, many moons and remember I liking their song ‘Slave Girl’ and that they have been an Aussie live music staple for eons. There are mixed degrees of familiarity among punters as Lime Spiders push out thick garage/psyche rock sound contributing to the diverse sounds discovered here at MCRNBF and they are rocking.
Next up is The Ellie Jane Band who is commandeering a ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ sing-along, with punters also joining in with covers of Amy Winehouse ‘Back to Black’, ZZ Top’s ‘I’m Just Looking For Some Touche’ and a cracking version of ‘Hello, I love you’. With powerful pipes and presence plus blues folk-rocker, Ellie Jane supported by her band is giving an exceptional set.
As sunset approaches, Australian music legend Ian Moss takes to the stage with two guitars and a stomp box. Warming up fans, with ‘Such A Beautiful Thing’ – and that it is. His silky soulful timbre sets into the melodic grooves of ‘Mr Rain’. He is having a ball with the crowd who is chiming in loudly (as requested) with the wonderful blend of Moss and Chisel songs including ‘Saturday Night’, ‘Telephone Booth’, his number one hit ‘Tuckers Daughter’, ‘Choir Girl’, Flame Trees’ and the rock lament “Back in Bow River’. Punters roared with appreciation, not wanting it to end.
I expect Moss will remain my favourite festival highlight and confess that I underestimated how emotive his set would be. Music is a powerful memory trigger and Moss’s perfect cocktail of anthems is conjuring emotions and memories I didn’t realise were enmeshed with these Aussie classics. I see the eyes of sentimental punters, including the Festival Director in the front row show that confirms I am not the only one with these feels.
It is going to be a hard job to following on from Moss but if anyone can it is a MCRNBF regular - Soul Men Blues Brothers. Is that Jake making an arrival in the blues mobile and climbing on stage to join the entourage of talented musicians for their instrumental intro? Their song list includes ‘Everybody Needs Somebody’, ‘R E S P E C T’, and Sister (Rose) Blues is introduced to the audience as full-time member now ‘Signed, Sealed Delivered’ before throwing in a little bit of country with ‘Rawhide’. ‘Land Of A Thousand Dances” got the big “nahhh, nah nah nah, nah nah nah” sing-along with punters who also set to covid-safe boogying in front of their seats to ‘Shake Your Tail Feather’ and swaying to ‘River Deep, Mountain High’. The crowd lapping up the harmonies, brass tones, funky bass and drumbeats of this electric performance. The set tried to close with “Soul Man’ but an encore baby – “Sweet Home Chicago” with delicious sax ends the set.
‘Time Again’ for Mason Rack Band sliding onstage at MCRNBF. With his larger-than-life presence, he shares as if chatting to old mates, that his granted wish for a big blues chart hit of his generates $1.62 week, and to let this be a warning to be specific with your wishes… As usual, we get nothing short of an energetic and frantic set with ample slide. His biggest fan (his toddler daughter) is at the front of the stage rocking right along with Daddy’s fans in their seats.
Mojo Collective kept the energy up with a great selection of covers, yet again delivered with dynamism. The crowd is embracing more a sing-along action led by the instrumentation of top musicians in front of them.
There’s no doubt I am in for a thrilling Saturday closeout from well-known Hussy Hicks and it is such a delight to see Ray on stage playing the harmonica. The packed crowd is mostly fans who are singing (and some slurring) all the words to their songs which just added to the atmosphere. Leesa Gentz and Julz Parker owned the crowd from the minute they took to the stage and the thrill in the air was warm and fuzzy. Punters are getting a good hit of Hussy Hicks before winding down for the night. Thus ends my encounter with Tutu Saturday.
Bobby the Kid is the Sunday session opener and he plays us a song about a Nambour Op Shop and one about losing a girl’s phone number which was on a piece of paper left in the pocket of his jeans that his mother washed.. His songs have humour and metaphors and I liked his style and approach to life through his music. I was a bit envious when he told us he got to stay at the Ramones room in the Chelsea hotel. Lucky duck.
The part, Tracy McNeil and the Good Life duo are back and get the crowd into a real Sunday groove ahead of The Base Coats’ second slot. Energy plus, with their gutsy harmonies, deep funky tones even stronger today, I can’t believe they shot up to Airlie Beach and back between sets – dedication! We get more ‘Wild Card’ and ‘Deeper’ with the crowd joining in the chorus of their fine cover of Doobie Brothers' ‘Listen to the Music’. I am chuckling as they throw in a few “Whoa oh whoa... Listen to The Base Coats” to encourage new fans to remember their name.
The Automaton are also back to play to rev up the chill crowd and are giving a big thanks for Jimmy for letting new bands have a go. They acknowledge they are not a traditional blues band – however, I don’t think they are not out of place here and their banger ‘Highway on the ceiling’ brings a heavy blues grain. Give it a listen.
Enter The Long Johns. First up with a very swing-come-carnival feel. Punters cheered them on during the banjo intro and were won over by the jazzy vocals. As they play a song about hanging people, I confess I was concentrating on how one band member is wrangling with a big heavy brass instrument and is managing to hold it while playing it – his lung capacity must also be enormous!. I am thinking it might be a Sousaphone or close cousin – forgive me if I am incorrect but either way it is huge and I take my hat off to this musician!
Hugo Stranger and the Rattlers were clearly a crowd favourite eliciting punter engagement and fixed eyes on the stage as they play their solid grooves that is getting the crowd moving. A bunch of charismatic players who at the end of their set gave us had a bit of a spaghetti western tune. I loved it.
The Steele Syndicate were another band to give us a song about that dreaded “C”. I am loving more songs with sax, trumpet complementing the instrumental pieces. I feel these stellar musicians are meant to be playing under the Sunday afternoon sun. ‘Scissors, Paper Rock n Roll’ interestingly has reggae vibes. There were some women punters in the front row getting quite involved with the band and for a moment I am thinking we might have a Tom Jones scenario on our hands.
Next up is Dish Pan Hands with an original which had a shuffle vibe and was one band I had not encountered before. I am digging their blues-rock with a hint of country rock at times. This band is as charismatic and energetic as Hugo Stranger and The Rattlers and Mojo Collective. I’d spend money to check them out again.
Hat Fitz and Cara featured early in the program and are back on stage again with their new band, The Look. The musical result of this collaboration including mandolin, violin, and flute in the mix is amazing. Cara tells us one of the songs is about that “C” word and another I enjoyed from this set is a favourite of theirs ‘Chilly Jordon’ by Heritage Blues Orchestra.
Swamp Gully Howlers! Oh my what a set of pipes. Great lead vocals and harmonies with more harmonica sells this as the seasoned musicians give out some serious blues feels to the audience. They are tight. They are alright!
Molly Flockers – hooked me in with Jefferson Airplane’s ‘Go tell Alice” before summoning 30 punters in Where’s Wally costumes the front of the stage. The Molly Flockers had no problem keeping eyes on stage and the two frontwomen seemed to be making dance moves like jagger and have a fantastic set of pipes between them. Covers also included ‘Blue on Black’ and a gorgeous sax line coming in before they wish a happy 60th birthday to the bass player – Mike. ‘Whole Lotta Love’ is last, leaving punters chomping for the following act. Oh was there a Lime Spider on stage?
Sunday night’s final headliner of the festival, Flaskas are giving us an earthy blistering blues. A fine set with Lay is bending out some skilled guitar that is soaring over the natural amphitheatre. Flaskas vocals are smooth and rich and the set was delivered with remarkable ease and polish of a tight rhythm section. I adore the inclusion of didgeridoo that is right at home in this setting, making it a perfect choice as a headline band.
As I packed up my gear and contemplated the conversations with new and familiar faces, I recognise the MCRNBF is the mental health pick me up I needed.
I imagine Jimmy Budgen felt a deep satisfaction on the closing act and the smiling faces in the crowd no doubt will be back to the next MCRNBF in droves. You had better nab your tickets early to the Legs Eleven shindig ‘cos they are already selling fast!
