The Bondi Blues

Ash Grunwald, Exeter Phoenix, Friday 20th March

By David Whittaker

The simple, intimate backdrop of the Exeter Phoenix auditorium was deceptively low-key. With the gentle pastel lighting and the relaxed atmosphere it didn’t seem ready to be trampled by the next Australian export after the UGG boot.

The auditorium was suddenly and raucously filled by the intensity of a music described as, ‘A cross between old delta blues and hip-hop-ish modern roots’.

Ash Grunwald’s explosion into the ears and eyes of Exeter captured the spirit of the Vibraphonic festival – exciting, intense and experimental.

When One Man Band appears on the billing, it conjures up ideas of a man with an accordion and two cymbals taped to his knees.

The Australian blues artist takes on the concept of a solo performance head first and generates a wall of sound that seems to permeate through every part of the audience.

His lyrics revolve around love, life and surfing, and his stage show indicates a man completely at ease with his craft. Having grown up in Melbourne, he now tours the world with his individual talent, and has appeared at the world famous South By South West festival in America.

First impressions are never to be ignored, and Ash certainly makes an individual one. With his long dreadlocks and steel guitar clutched under his arm, he appears confident and relaxed on stage - a natural performer - even if his imitation of the English accent needs some work.

As he creates some original guitar riffs with his steel or acoustic guitar, he stomps around incessantly to produce his own percussion. The result is an energetic performance, which gets the crowd jumping.

From Skywriter – recounting a drunken friend who tried to steal a sky-writing plane to declare his love for someone, to Dolphin – describing a rescue from a shark by a group of the animals, he effervesces with animation, and his affection for his music is clear and infectious.

For a man who has been on the same bill as James Brown, the smile on his face throughout the set told a story of a man who hasn’t forgotten the joy of getting a relatively small crowd up and dancing.

The concert was part of the Vibraphonic festival, which set out to get, ‘one city under a groove’, and has graced Exeter with talents from Candi Staton to Zane Lowe.

The festival, from 5 to 22 March, has covered over 8 venues, and provided music, theatre, comedy and other exhibitions. As a festival goes, it is remarkably relaxed – even the roadies seem to move in slow motion. And it hasn’t just stopped at delivering high quality artists.

Phonic FM have supported the festival through the airwaves, and a music expo provided demonstrations, master classes and try outs on all sorts of instruments and musical gadgetry.

Now in its sixth year, Vibraphonic has provided local, national and international talent by the bucket load, and has created numerous opportunities for aspiring artists and musicians.