THE BYRON SHIRE ECHO Advertising & news enquiries: Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au Available early Tuesday at: http://www.echo.net.au VOLUME 22 #41 TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2008 22,700 copies every week Printed on 100% recycled paper
Blues Fest
I R O N Y
M E A N S
W H AT
I T
S AY S
Photos page 25
2008: A Blues Fest odyssey
Lights out for Earth Hour
Jann Gilbert I set sail among a sea of people, all intent on the same course. They’re heading for a musical Mecca, to dance and writhe, experience the ecstasy (with or without artificial assistance) and commune with their favourite (or soon to be) melodious demi-god. This year it’s a different path but many of the same feet, and plenty of new ones or the re-initiated, religiously tread it. Programs are studied, along with the sky that is hung with high, dark clouds. Despite the prevalence of gumboots, and Mecca’s rainy reputation, the heavens hold back and many devotees bear witness to a Welcome to Country that’s set against a blazing sunset backdrop. It’s official; the pilgrimage has begun. For the next four days more than 15,000 novitiates tread the path to Mecca each day. Fairies in tutus, parents dragging children and children dragging parents, diaphanous girls with sequinned eyes and fedoras, blind men and their dogs, straw-hatted, be-thonged and crocfooted disciples, and time-trapped devotees from the 70s wearing high pants, bare chests and vests – they all come, wearing a look of blissful anticipation, and leave sated. Surprisingly, the pilgrimage is without the usual traffic chaos and many of the other not-so-entertaining elements that accompany it. It’s the new Mecca and it seems to work for almost everyone. If only this poor observer had a dollar for every time someone asked, ‘why isn’t this the permanent festival site?’, she’d be a wealthy woman. The crowd revels in the spaciousness of the new Mecca, so much so that, at first, many of the lost souls need to ask directions. But they’re quickly back on the right path, and Diana and Rae and the other tirelessly patient volunteers at the info booth spend much of their time happily reuniting the brethren with their (untouched) wallets, keys and mobile phones.
Byron Shire Council is urging residents to participate in Earth Hour 2008 by switching off their lights and other energy consuming devices between 8pm and 9pm on March 29. Mayor Jan Barham said reducing greenhouse emissions is a shared responsibility and local residents can help make a difference. ‘However, I encourage Shire residents to go beyond the Earth Hour event and make ongoing changes by becoming more conscious about energy use on a daily basis.’ Last year Council was one of the first non metropolitan councils to support Earth Hour, and this year many more have joined in. A recent study by the University of Chicago revealed that in order to make a substantial difference for Earth Hour people should delay as many energy consuming activities until after peak energy demand periods between 6pm - 8pm by, for example, turning on the dishwasher before they go to bed rather than immediately after dinner. Other effective energy saving tips include turning appliances off at the wall instead of leaving on standby mode and investing in solar hot water heating. Council’s Sustainability Officer Graeme Williams said that Council is about to finalise its revised Greenhouse Action Strategy which is designed to assist Council and the wider Byron Shire community implement practical projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Council also has a dedicated area on its website to promote Sustainable Living and provides information all year round to encourage individual action. See more at www.byron.nsw.gov.au/Sustainability. To calculate out how much energy you use, undertake an online energy audit, such as that found at www.nabers.com.au/ home.aspx. To add your support for Earth Hour or for energy saving ideas, visit www.earthhour.org.
Local Tex Perkins sings up a Cruel Sea at the blues festival. Photo Jeff ‘Blind Lemon Sorbet’ Dawson
It’s easy to see how they become separated. There’s so much music, they’re driven to distraction. Even the visiting demi-gods in the VIP tent are reeling; it’s a veritable feast. On day one, when Keith Urban comes on stage, the female disciples go wild. There’s a collective nod of understanding for Ms Kidman’s taste in men. No doubt about it, you’d pick Keith over Mum’s lamb roast every time. He looks, sings and plays like an angel. Next day, and Jeff Lang wakes a chilled-out afternoon crowd from their half-slumber. He’s got a big Confederate beard, an even bigger voice, and a wicked guitar that reels out across the crowd. They’re on their feet; toe-tapping, handclapping and captivated. By the time Seasick Steve takes the stage water has made way for liquid amber and other intoxicating nectar of the gods. The disciples are floored by his homemade, one-string ‘ge-tar’ and his Alabama sense of humour. As Steve from Byron says, ‘It’s cool as. About as grass roots as you can get.’
Later that night I’m being led up the holiest of paths that leads backstage. Front of stage, Sinead O’Connor and her band have the sea of devotees enthralled. The stage lights filter through the crowd and an unforgettable violin with a flute for a friend drifts along with it. Nothing compares. Backstage, it’s a different story. Amp stacks, instruments, and mikestands that look oddly like flamingos waiting in the wings, proliferate. A cast of anonymous but relevant thousands hurry back and forth intent on their work and, in some cases, keeping their pants up.They’re mostly thin, wiry, and they’re wiring everything for sound. Nobody would be here without them. It’s day four and the devotee’s steps are slowing but not their enthusiasm. There’s so much still to hear. Guy Davis astonishes the congregation with his lightning lips and 60-a-day, gravelly voice. Who would have thought you could make so many sounds with your mouth and a harmonica? Meanwhile, on separate stages, both Chris Wilson and John Hiatt
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confirm they are still the masters of the heart-gripping, painfully ordinary ballads of life, and Rodrigo and Gabriela send hips swirling like dervishes with their fast and furious Mexican guitars. But it’s when Gotye comes on that the energy communes with the divine. He’s playing a computer and the devotees, crammed to capacity, are screaming their approval. It’s a new age of music and he’s already the master. It’s hard to believe that ‘Wally’ is the only one on stage, commanding the throng with his talent and haunting Sting-like voice. Like dots on a bromide, desperate to connect, he’s bringing them all together. When it’s over, the flock reluctantly move away still drenched in the glow of the performance. Despite the grubby feet and hoarse throats, they’re tired but content. This is what they came to see: this and a list of other music luminaries too numerous to mention. They came to live, breath, eat and sleep music. And they were not disappointed.