A five-year anniversary is traditionally celebrated with gifts made of wood.
In the case of Midweek Blues, it will be commemorated with a feast of music at the Golden Vine on Friday, April 26, spanning the Bendigo band’s five-year career. From its 2014 inception as “five workmates having a laugh”, the local five-piece has honed its hard blues formula, fusing it with diverse influences that run the gamut from heavy rock to country.
It will also mark the band’s 77th live appearance.
“Highlights of the past five years would have to be supporting Chris Jagger (brother of Rolling Stones frontman Mick) and, more recently, Diesel and Z-Star Delta,” says guitarist Paul Robins. “And we have played to fantastic crowds at the Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival each year.”
Material from the band’s 2017 debut Last Days Of May will feature heavily at the showcase, along with a smattering of new songs expected to see the light of the day in the coming year. “We’re currently in the process of booking studio time to record our song Blue Eyes to release as a single, featuring (fellow local singer-songwriter) Sherri Parry on guest vocals,” Robins says. “Following that, we will be focusing on finalising the songs for a second album, which we would hope to release in 2020.”
Joining Midweek Blues will be Kerr’s Cur, fresh from an 11-month hiatus and in what is rumoured to be their farewell performance, and Albury-based singer-songwriter Brent Shirley. “The presence of Kerr’s Cur always pushes us to try new things, so expect to hear a new song, Man In The Sky, as well as the rarely heard Slave,” Robins says.
From 8.30pm; tickets $5 at the door.
Singer-guitarist Bill Barber will be bringing his distinctive blues style to Rocks on Rosalind (Rocks Underground) on Friday, April 26. From 7pm; free entry; dining packages also available at www.opentable.com.au
The newly opened Entree Music Bar will host a jazz extravaganza, featuring the Melbourne-based Jazzobell Deux-The London Connection and Jungle Fusion, on Friday, April 26. From 8.30pm.
The self-described “time-travelling, ragtime-playing rapscallions” Alawishus Jones and The Outright Lies will launch their album Little White Lies at The Old Church On The Hill on Saturday, April 27. Support from Melbourne blues duo Wilson & White. From 7pm; tickets $15 at the door.
Dorado will be singing the blues at the Golden Vine on Saturday, April 27. From 8.30pm.
Funk Junkies will turn up the funk at The Shiraz Republic, Cornella, on Sunday, April 28. Support from R+B chanteuse Erin Mannix. From 1pm; free entry.
Folk-jazz duo Alanna and Alicia, and their band, will wrap up a bumper weekend of music at The Old Church On The Hill on Sunday, April 28. Support from folkie troubadour William Alexander. From 2.30pm; tickets $15.
Written by Lynette Walker. Contact: [email protected]
