From Mali to Montreal

Just back from Day 2 of The Bluesfest, with a quick post-Fest stop at the Avant-Garde bar to catch *Expatriates and Montreal noiseniks GOA!
Fortunately the grey skies didn't live up to the promise of rain until later in the evening.
I spent my time at what used to be the Roots and Americana stage and has now been redubbed to reflect a bank's sponsorship (or something like that).
Tinariwen looked resplendent in their colourful robes and played an awesome show. Judging by the directional mikes aimed at catching audience applause I presume a live album may be in the offing. They had a great hand drummer and bassist to provide some solid rhythms, and with four guitarists and all seven members singing they put out a terrific amount of sound.
Case's backing band was The Sadies, and needless to say they did an awesome job; I hop to catch them when they play their own show later on at the festival. They did a storming cover of the perennial Loretta Lynn tune Rated X and ended with Poor Wayfaring Stranger after the audience dragged them back for one more encore.
The Avant-Garde seemed to be having a bit of an air-conditioning problem and was a bit stuffy, but at least I can vouch for their cheesecake.
*Expatriates put on a fine and way too short set, then GOA! rocked the house with three drummers, electronic beats, ultra-warped vocal loops ... and a frying pan. I'll explain later.