The sun shone on this year’s Southern Fried Festival and Horsecross Arts has declared Perth’s sixth annual festival of American Roots music a sizzling success.
Tickets sales were up 7% from last year as almost 4,000 music lovers flocked to Perth from across the UK and beyond for a weekend of soul, blues, country, swing and gospel, served with a slap up helping of authentic Southern soul food.
Headliners the Mavericks rocked a packed Perth Concert Hall on Saturday night The same venue swung to sensational sets from soul diva Bettye LaVette and powerful singer songwriter Patty Griffin with support from David Wax Museum, the James Hunter Six and Darrell Scott.
Southern Fried audiences in Perth Theatre enjoyed diverse and exciting gigs by Bill Kirchen, Roddy Hart and the Lonesome Fire, the McCrary Sisters and the New Madrids.
Busy daytime shows, a specially extended Open Mic, a crammed Gospel Brunch and free fringe gigs also fuelled the festival atmosphere.
Southern Fried Festival director Andy Shearer, director of contemporary music for Horsecross Arts, said: “From Thursday’s festival launch party in the Twa Tams through Betty LaVette’s stunning opening concert on Friday night to an all-dancing Mavericks show, a sell-out Gospel Brunch, crammed Open Mic and beautiful closing gig by Patty Griffin, we were treated to a host of spectacular Southern Fried performances.
“Our soul food went down a storm and, as ever, our audiences responded with warmth and excitement to the diverse and entertaining bunch of artists we collected together for the sixth annual Southern Fried Festival.
“There was a great atmosphere throughout the weekend, with many artists commenting on how much they love performing here and the great reaction that they get.”