Hello music lovers and welcome to the second edition of the Bluesletter, the official newsletter of the Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival.
Since our the first edition hit the streets back in February, a fair bit of water has flowed under the old blues and roots bridge.
The big news is that both Geoff Achison & The Souldiggers, and the sublime Josh Owen Band will headline the Rosalind Park event on November 26.
“It’s great news for the festival,” festival director Colin Thompson said. “Acts don’t come any classier than Geoff Achison or Josh Owen and their respective bands, who are impossibly good at what they do, and that’s a fact.”
Then there’s the little subject of $10,000. The Bendigo Bank have come to the party in a big, big way, tipping in ten grand for the festival, which is very, very exciting. Cheers to the bank, your support is asbolutely amazing and very much appreciated.
On the publicity front, the festival has continued to catch the ear of some influential local media, with ABC Radio looking to commence a promotional partnership with the festival, that could mean national exposure on Triple J. The Bendigo Weekly, in particular b.entertained, has also offered ongoing in-kind support, which will keep its music loving readers up to date with all the latest festival developments. But back to the muso stuff.
Easter looks like being a big few days for the festival, with three acts already booked to grace the festival bill in November, set to provide an early sample of their goods on Easter Monday. Stringybark McDowell (Geelong), Tom Tuena (formerly Shepparton now Melbourne) and Josh Owen (Melbourne) will form a killer line up that should please a wide demographic of taste.
The Metro has also come on board the festival train with hefty sponsorship, and will host our next fundraiser; it’ll be a “ten bands for ten bucks” affair” on Sunday May 8. Local whiz kid Jordan Allen is locked in, as are Bel & Jon, Jacob McGuffie, Michelle Meehan and Joel English… along with the Melbourne maniac who’s getting a lot of attention in the United States: Mike Elrington. The May 8 fundraiser is also going to showcase some of the phenomenal Bluegrass talent that will be on offer come November, with Bluestone Junction making a special guest appearance. Performing the final set of the night will be local blues legends The Croakers, featuring the mighty talents of Glen ‘Kinga’ Roy, Roger Davies, Rob King, Jimi Williams, Tony Spizzica and the lovely Marni Sheehan! (The rest of the May 8 Fundraiser line-up is still being locked in as we go to press, so keep your ear to the ground to find out who else will be on the bill!)
Other important dates to lock in your blues and roots calender is “Back 2 Back Blues” at the Basement Bar (17 View Point) featuring Mike Elrington and Bones Blackwood on April 1 and 2, while Springybark McDowell plays April 15 at the very same intimate and vibe-ridden venue.
A few weeks later the Blues on Bull (Downtown Bendigo’s Rock & Blues Festival) will hit Easter Saturday afternoon (April 23, 2pm until 6.45pm), featuring Talisa “TJ” Jobe, Cold Snap, Bones Blackwood and Andrew Higgs Band.
That same evening “Bonesy” will play the Basement Bar while Andrew Higgs Band will play a gig at the Golden Vine Hotel (135 King Street Bendigo) with Deano Stanton performing a solo opening set at the Vine show.
All in all, the Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival continues to build steady momentum, thanks to your support.
