It was a long hot day at Bluesfest on Sunday, so when I arrived partway through the Violent Femmes set, it was a pretty chilled out crowd that was enjoying a blast of 80’s alternative rock.  I missed their opening numbers including “Blister In The Sun”, their most recognizable hit, but “Gone Daddy Gone” kicked things into gear and we enjoyed the show in the fun manner it was performed in.  Lead singer Gordon Gano let his vocals and guitar do the performing as he didn’t move far from the mic, and reminded me of the guy you’d see at the neighbour’s barbeque, unassuming and regular.  Bassist Brian Ritchie had the rock and the hair and the attitude and a big-ass acoustic bass guitar, and new drummer Brian Viglione who is known for his energetic and expressive style, was impressive to watch, especially during his drum solo near the end of the show.  No rock show is complete without a drum solo.   Closing with “American Music”, it was a gritty fun show, where everyone enjoyed themselves, especially the band.

Sated with some throwback 80’s, I wandered over to the Black Sheep Stage and took in a true vintage blues performance by Joe Louis Walker and his band.  Dressed in a white suit jacket and a white fedora with a black brim, he looked like he stepped straight out of the era that gave birth to Rock and Roll.   It was an energetic yet mesmerizing show; the  long instrumentals between verses where Joe and his fellow musicians just jammed and rocked some brilliant old-school blues completely sucked you in, mesmerizing.  His style of blues varied between traditional and rock, and the guitar solos were reminiscent of the type you just don’t hear played anymore in modern music.  It was a fantastic way to end the evening, and I felt privileged to see this Grammy award winning legend perform in such an intimate setting.

Kelly McTavish