The Port Fairy Folk Festival has reached its 40th anniversary without losing an ounce of its vibrancy and eclecticism. FourPlay kicked off the weekend's proceedings with an energetic performance that demonstrated once and for all that a string quartet is more than capable of rockin’ out with plenty of firepower. On Mississippi Sinkhole the band conveyed a powerful environmental message while managing to spin some satisfyingly serpentine melodies.
The Timbers brightened a drizzly Saturday morning with an opening salvo that incorporated up-tempo Celtic-infused folk, bursts of vibrant brass and harnessed a punk energy. Bobby Alu and The Palm Royale, playing their second Port Fairy Folk Festival, proved to be a feel-good hit. There was something decidedly summery and zesty about this band’s sun kissed groove-laden sound and skilful use of gentle reggae rhythms.
The jovial Pierce Brothers whipped up a feverish response from an ecstatic crowd with their eye-catching stage presence, likeable personalities and boot-stompin’ approach to folk-pop. The Maton Port Fairy Folk Festival Artist of the Year Marcia Howard, who clearly has golden vocal cords, was in excellent form as she led her tight band through a beautifully played set of intelligent pop rock that included an excellent cover of Bob Dylan’s Forever Young. Dave Arden delivered an impressive set that embraced a variety of genres such as reggae and soul and featured his expansive vocal range and thought-provoking songwriting. Bustamento, led by Australia's greatest living vibe master Nicky Bomba, generated maximum levels of joy with their skakin’ rhythms and effervescent antics. Their cover of A Message To You, Rudy was a sing-along treat. Bomba's cheerful improvisation reached a heady peak when he climbed the scaffolding and deployed it as an effective percussive instrument.
Highlights of Sunday morning's Women in Song concert included Katie Noonan’s astonishing vocal prowess as she touchingly sang about her father who is battling illness, and Emma Donovan's moving and deeply soulful rendition of the song Aboriginal Woman. During Archie Roach's engaging and inclusive performance he shared the real-life experiences that his songs are based upon and sang classics such as Charcoal Lane and Took The Children Away. Like all great storytellers Roach touched hearts and inspired reflection.
Blues fans were well catered for as Steve Earle & The Dukes showcased some tracks from their latest album which were steeped in the genre. While Ash Grunwald thundered through an incendiary set of adrenaline-fuelled funk and swamp blues that was hard to beat.
Canadian trio The East Pointers blasted away the Monday morning cobwebs with a rich and robust Celtic sound that featured banjo, fiddle, guitar and stomp box. Ukrainian band DakhaBrakha created bird sounds, conjuring otherworldly vocal harmonies, and integrating elements of hip hop that generated pulsating drones and rocked some serious headgear. It is in moments of discovery like these that this world-class festival solidifies its reputation and proves, resoundingly so, that it remains forever young.
LOVED: Bobby Alu’s chilled out vibe and ferocious musical talent.
HATED: Having to wait another whole year for the next Port Fairy Folk Festival.
DRANK: Guinness!
BY GRAHAM BLACKLEY
