Arguably one of the biggest regional blues events in Australia, this year’s festival has a stellar line up delivered across four days. Located in the historically rich Port of Echuca heritage precinct, more than 40 blues and roots performers will be warbling those worried notes, with artists from Jimi Hocking, Andrea Marr, Chris Wilson, Greg Dodd and the Hoodoo Men, Wayne Jury and Kelly Auty just to name a few.
As always, there will be a number of venues opened for you to hop across on your four day journey, with 30+ stages, each place hosting different musical acts, ensuring a different ambience and vibe for a clever and diverse experience.
The full line up can be seen below. All the extra details you need to know can be found through winterblues.com.au.
Alister Turrill
Since winning the 2011 Melbourne Youth in Blues award, Alister Turrill has done nothing but good things. With a sound much wiser than his age, Alister has previously shared the stage with the likes of Jeff Lang, Geoff Achison and Lloyd Spiegel – on numerous occasions. He has spent the past year or so performing alongside Toby Johnson and Jaron Mulholland as Alister Turrill and the Vagabond Brothers. When & Where: Ceres, July 30, 4-6.45pm; Johnny & Lyle, July 31, 9-10.30am; Gypsy Bar, July 31, 3.30-5.45pm; Shamrock Hotel, July 31, 11.30-2.15pm;
Andrea Marr Band
The Andrea Marr band is one that hardly needs an introduction. Fronted by Andrea Marr, the multi-award winning five-piece have been creating their unique brand of energetic, soulful blues since 1999. The band received Blues Performer of the Year in 2005 and 2012 and Australian Female Blues Artist in 2009. When & Where: Star Hotel, July 30, 9.30pm-12.45am
Blues Mountain
Fronted by Jesse Valach, who first moved over to Australia after growing up in New Zealand, he made his mark on the Australian music scene almost instantly. The band initially formed several years ago from a jam session in Elwood with Jesse, Nick Ohlson (Bass) Anthony Murray (Drums) and Rowan Mumford (Hammond). Although a little bit newer to the blues community, the band have played across Australia and shared line ups alongside blues greats, Andrea Marr, Jimi Hocking, Ray Beadle, and Geoff Achison. What makes Blues Mountain stand out is the soul and feeling they all put into every single performance. When & Where: Ceres, July 29, 7.30-10.15pm; The Mill, July 30, 12-2.45pm; Star Hotel, July 31, 4-6.45pm
Geoff Achison
After years of living in America’s deep south, Geoff has returned to settle in Australia with a wealth of stories, awards and inspiration to hit the stage. Known for his ability to please a crowd with his rich vocals and immense guitar skills, Geoff is by no surprise a firm favourite in the blues community. Throughout his career Geoff has won countless awards ranging from album of the year to best blues release and all are well deserved. When & Where: Ceres, July 29, 5-7pm; Star Hotel, July 30, 11am-1.45pm; Harvest Hotel, July 30, 9-11.45pm; Star Hotel, July 31, 11am-1.45pm; Shamrock Hotel, July 31, 3.15-6pm;
Greg Dodd & the Hoodoo Men
With a distinctly Chicago sound, Greg Dodd and the Hoodoo Men are a multiple award-winning electric blues four piece from Melbourne who never cease to deliver a highly energetic show. The band’s debut release, 3am blues LIVE, won Best Blues Album of the year at the Age Music Victoria awards in 2014, and the awards have continued to roll in. Greg Dodd and Dan Dinnen’s chemistry on stage has to be seen to be believed, with a fiery back and forth of guitar and harmonica, backed of course by a solid rhythm section from the rest of the band. When & Where: Beechworth Bakery, July 30, 2.15-5pm;
Piano Wizzard
Andrew Farrell, also known as the Wizard, has been performing for the past few decades with his unique blend of jazz, blues and boogie. Farrell’s uniqueness is matched equally by his technical talent as a virtuoso pianist and as a result his performances are always a surprise. He’s perhaps one of the most powerful, unique and compelling voices in Australian music today. When & Where: Campaspe, July 30, 11am-12.45pm; Moama RSL, July 30, 7-9pm; Gypsy Bar, July 31, 10am-12.15pm;
The Full Line Up:
Alister Turrill
Andrea Marr Band
Blues Mountain
Cameron Holmes & the Blues Dudes
Cass Eager
Catfish Voodoo
Chris Wilson
Chubby Rae & the Elevators
Claude Hay
Cleveland Blues
Collard Greens & Gravy
Dan Dinnen
Ezra Lee & the Havoc Band
Geoff Achison
George MacFloyd Blues Band
Greg Dodd & the Hoodoo Men
Ian Collard
Jimi Hocking
John McNamara
Justin Yap Band
Lachy Doley Group
Lazy Eye
Marshall Okell
Mason Rack
Miss Whiskey
The Montgomery Brothers
Mr Black & Blues
Nick Charles
Phil Manning
Phil Para
Piano Wizard
Pugsley Buzzard
Rattlin’ Bones Blackwood
Safari Motel
Sammy Owen Blues Band
Sweet Felicia & the Honeytones
Tex Miller
The Associates
The Blue Room
The Detonators
The Teskey Brothers
Transvaal Diamond Syndicate
Wayne Jury & Kelly Auty
Werewolves of Melbourne
White Lightening
Echuca Moama Winter Blues Festival 28, 29, 30 & 31 July 2016
