Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival 2011

Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival 2011

What a beautiful day this past Saturday was for the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival. This is the 11^th year running, and the festival was huge! The sea of people relaxing on lawn chairs and blankets was a great sight to see. It was a definite change from the usual crowd I see: a much older crowd, lots of families. Everyone seemed calm and ready to bask in the sun for as long as possible.

Somehow the festival has expanded beyond music, and also included an artisan market of local goods. Clothes, jewellery, instruments, household items and even a few exotic imports were being sold at little shaded tables. It was a very interesting mix and I loved the sanctuary from the sun that the tent provided.

I managed to catch 3 acts while I was there. As I hiked up from the lower parking lot, I heard the amazing guitar talent of Canadian Matt Anderson. This is someone I definitely would recommend fighting your way to the front for, or watching him on the big screens provided at the side of the stage. His technical skill produced the most amazing and challenging music. Next up, the Secret Sisters from Alabama came on to the side stage. They set the perfect tone for the crowd: cute, fun, light, and easy listening. Their country music inspiration was as “rooted” as it could be for a Southern duo. They also charmed the crowd with their sisterly banter and stories about the importance of every song to them. As the festival’s website, they sing “good, old fashioned music.”

Imelda May is a woman that I cannot talk-up enough. This was my first time seeing her live, and everything about her just screamed posh, sexy, and powerful. Her voice carried beautifully over the massive crowd both lying on the grass from afar, and up-close dancing away the day. She did mention (in her very thick Dubliner accent) in between songs that she was “up to my eyeballs in painkillers” as she had tried to climb the fence to get a good look of the lake earlier that day, and fallen. As any showgirl and diva would do, she insisted that the show must go on, and got up on stage for her set. Her big band supported her wonderfully, as only would be fitting. Her dress, hair, and makeup all completed the performance. The mix of blues, smokey jazz, soul, disco, and modern style make for a distinct style in Mayhem, her newest album, which I will be getting my hands on!

Disclosure: Jessica covered the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival 2011 for Hummingbird604.com thanks to media accreditation from the BB+R organizers. This review is neither paid for nor expected, but it was such a great festival that we wanted to report on it. You can read more of Jessica’s writing at her blog. As always I retain editorial control on anything I publish on my blog.