The professional

The first Saturday of Bluesfest was one of my favourite days - of course there's always more to offer on the weekend, but there were also plenty of ideal festival encounters, such as the living legends you never thought you'd see live due to age, geography or sheer improbability, or the great performers you stumble on by chance. The first show of the day didn't fit into either category, but John Vanderslice did start things off (for me, anyway) with a very capable performance. I'd say he's a craftsman in the same style as Jason Falkner, being both an in-demand hired hand and the crafter of his own sharply realized musical nuggets. Unfortunately I can't locate any information on his accompanists.

That John.



John sings! Plus, a bassist of unknown provenance.



The guitarist (and an out-of-focus drummer)



Keyboardist action!





The eyes have it.



He's an active guy on stage, which is why this photo is a shade out of focus.



Drummer action!



Jumping John!



Singalong action!



Then he broke out the acoustic guitar and I went off to see some Lightnin' Malcolm and Cedric Burnside.



His next show is in Vancouver, then he's off to Europe. Note that it's worth checking out his website for some really good tour photography - he's a hobbyist like myself, though with a somewhat wider range of subjects.

• Show reminder: Benefit of a Doubt, The London, To The Rescue and Not Even Death play Mavericks; The Rainbow hosts Jerry Stamp, Adam Baxter, Conor Whitehead and The Outbred Inlaws. Rehab For Quitters and The Shifters rock the Elmdale House.