Photographs by Neil Van.
The forecast did not lie, it poured rain for the duration of the third of day Bluesfest; every colour and pattern of poncho was in attendance. I had my sights set on seeing four bands, with a front row view at each and closing my night with the Lumineers!
The most dedicated fans arrived early. A 54-year-old woman set up at the Claridge Homes Stage by 1:50 pm to hold a spot for the Cult’s performance at 8 pm. While a younger fan had arrived at 12:30 pm, before gates even opened, so she could have a prime spot for the Lumineers on the City Stage at 9:30 pm; I was not ready to secure my spot yet.
Chris Page was the first act on my list, with reflective relatable storytelling through his stripped down pop songs and a drum beat that synced with the audience’s hearts. The courageous soaked crowd was super supportive with hoots, hollers, clapping, toe tapping, bouncing and swaying from the moment Page stepped on stage. Page treated us to songs with folk overtones and punk undertones you could feel, with heavy bass that shook your core.
Mehdi Cayenne has an infectious intense enthusiasm for life and music. The looping keyboard had a trance feel to it, while the upbeat drum gave you something to move to plus he did not stop moving. His brother was in the crowd leading interpretive dance and singing along to every hit. The crowd caught Cayenne’s energy and screamed along to Happiness Machine! After his set, I got to catch up with Cayenne, as I had met him on Thursday at Changer d’air; he is an individual you have to fall for with his joyful aura.
Then it was time to be front row for another heart throb, 22-year-old New Yorker Tor Miller. This fresh-faced internationally known artist had charism from sound check to the last note of his set. His distinct baritone vocals had people swooning and dancing in the rain. His sound reminded me of the Beatles’ Come Together, it had the feel of good old pop songs from the 60s and 70s.
Hugging a front row spot, I held out through rain as well as pre-teens that were crowd-surfing, bouncing, moshing and fighting to the rap styling of Earl Sweatshirt. Once this young rapper left the stage, so did the toxic violence in the crowd. It was time for the largest sing along session with the Lumineers. With a set that started with Ophelia this five-person band became a 200,000-person choir. Inclusivity seemed to be the priority of the band and audience, on this rainy summer evening. It was that spirit, which lead the band to waded through the crowd to a back stage and serenade the back half of the filled field for a few songs. The deceptively simple sound scaping and visual storys of the Lumineers songs were sung by the whole crowd from the 9:30 start to the encores at the end. The Lumineers left their soaked audience with warm hearts heating them for their travels home.
