Bluesfest fans on Anthony Albanese’s music gig drop-in
Australian pop star Jimmy Barnes helped make his legend with ‘Working Class Man’ - but the punters at Bluesfest are somewhat divided after Labor leader Anthony Albanese took to the stage. What they said.
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Labor leader Anthony Albanese didn’t please all at Bluesfest on Easter Sunday with boos ringing out as he took to the stage to announce Jimmy Barnes.
The rock star invited Mr Albanese to make a short speech and introduce his act late on Sunday night but the second week of the federal election campaign has kicked off with conversation about the Opposition leader’s appearance at the Byron Bay festival.
“What we want to do is recognise First Nations people in our constitution,” Mr Albanese told the crowd.
“As a government we will back the arts sector.”
Festival-goers we spoke with on Easter Monday were broadly supportive of Mr Albanese’s appearance, while others said they were there for the tunes, not the politics.
Three young voters from Brisbane, Sally Nicklin, Lucy Nicklin and Brian Sivertsen, were attending Bluesfest for their fifth day in a row and said that the Labor leader’s message to support the arts was one they backed.
“There is a bit of politics that happens anyway, but we’re not offended by it,” Sally said.
“You can tell from all the artists this year that there is a lot of nostalgia, a lot of emotions - everyone is excited to be back. If bringing politics into it means we can get more of it then you can’t really be mad about that.”
Her sister Lucy added: “If he wants to give more money to the arts then let him do it.”
That feeling resonated with other festival punters from the Northern Rivers, Sydney and Melbourne.
Bill and Elsa from Lismore said the man who would be PM received a good welcome, and they were pleased by his appearance after feeling burned by the Morrison government and its response to the flood.
“I think it’s good to see a leader that comes and embraces people,” Bill said.
“I do know that Morrison came to Lismore and he wouldn't even face the people, that’s pretty bad.”
Father and son duo Ben and Dennis from Sydney and Melbourne respectively, said they didn’t hear any catcalls before Jimmy Barnes’ set and think Mr Albanese didn’t make the occasion about himself.
“There was huge support for Albo and his speech about the government investing in the arts really resonated,” Ben said.
Dad Dennis: “The First Nation recognition I think nailed it, it wasn’t about him it was just about making a statement and move on.”
‘I’m glad ScoMo wasn’t here’
Tane and Jules, fresh from enjoying a Missy Higgins set, reckoned if Prime Minister Scott Morrison attended Bluesfest he would have gotten a worse reception.
“I’m glad ScoMo wasn’t here,” Jules said.
They were sceptical though about politicians popping up at random events like Mr Albanese did at Bluesfest.
“It’s a bit of a plug, it’s what politicians do around election time, promoting themselves,” Tane said.
‘Whatever’
Stephanie from Sydney loved seeing Morcheeba and Crowded House with her mum but didn’t care too much for Mr Albanese’s speech.
“It’s Albo trying to be cool, whatever,” she said.
“If an artist has a political message we are happy to hear it in song form.
“We want to hear people singing about those issues.”
The real Albanese
Rafael and Jenny from Sydney loved Missy Higgins and Baker Boy and were pleased to see ‘the real’ Albanese before Jimmy Barnes.
The couple know he has always been a fan of live music and expect politicians to “show up on the campaign trail”.
“If it helps Australians work out who the real guy is then that’s good,” Jenny said.
“He’s a pretty good guy.”
A positive message
Lara from the NSW South Coast and Megan from the Central Coast are music buffs and were glad that Albanese brought a positive message to Bluesfest and not a campaign rally.
“I’ll give him a point for being a big supporter of the arts, we just want to stay positive,” Lara said.
Megan didn’t know until she searched for the news on Monday morning that Jimmy Barnes asked Albanese to the stage.
“I thought it was a bit invasive but I found out Jimmy Barnes invited him,” Megan said.
“There is a lot of politics here anyway.”
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Originally published as Bluesfest fans on Anthony Albanese’s music gig drop-in
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