Australia’s longest running blues music venue will continue to support and celebrate a unique blend of emerging and established blues and roots artists.
Following the sell-out success of November’s Next Generation Concert Series on Queenscliff’s legendary Blues Train, the 2023 program will continue to blend emerging and established blues and roots artists as an ongoing commitment to the next generation of both audiences and musicians.
Announced earlier this year, Queenscliff’s legendary Blues Train curated a dedicated program of emerging and established Australian contemporary blues and roots musicians for the very first time in the newly announced, The Blues Train Next Generation Concert Series. The series, which arrives in November for a sold-out run, will showcase established artists who have contributed to the sustained success of the world-class cultural tourism drawcard, that is The Blues Train, with emerging artists performing their interpretation of roots music suited to the next generation of audiences.
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With shows selling out in record time, it was clear the region has a desire to see both established and emerging artists alike on board, gifting punters and musicians an invaluable experience.
“I was amazed at how quickly the Next Generation Concert Series sold out, proof of the appetite there is for Blues Train regulars and contemporary blues and roots lovers in general to hear emerging artists in the scene perform,” says The Blues Train founder and curator Hugo T Armstrong.
“Our programming will continue to showcase the established artists who have contributed to the sustained success of the world-class cultural tourism drawcard, that is The Blues Train over 29 years. Providing emerging artists with the opportunity to perform on the bill with some of Australia’s leading exponents of the genre often leads to collaborations and mentorships which otherwise would not happen. We are very excited to see where that leads artistically for them all.
“Finding the right balance of high-profile artists, while still providing the opportunity for emerging artists to gain employment and profile, combined with valuable gig experience is a real challenge – and I am so pleased to know that we have hit the mark.”
Next Generation Concert Series artists back in 2023 include 2020 International Blues Challenge Finalist Aaron Pollock, Ocean Grove’s family of musicians The Von Robertsons, blues roots and southern soul duo Midnight Jackson, blues singer/songwriter and guitarist Jonno Zilber, blues guitarist and singer Jarrod Shaw, Willie J & the Bad Books, and son of the legendary Phil Para, Denzil – performing with his Dad in the ultimate emerging and established artist combination.
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New to the Blues Train line-up in 2023 is young blues guitarist Kathleen Halloran guesting with Blues guitar legend Jimi Hocking on 14 January. Kathleen has gained a huge reputation for her talent performing with Kate Ceberano. Other new talent includes Texas born/former New York local Bret Mosley and hailing from Denver Colorado 23-year-old Roots singer, songwriter and guitarist Oscar Ladell.
Established artists back on the tracks for 2023 include Jimi Hocking, George Kamikawa, The McNaMarr Project, Damon Smith, Anna Scionti, Phil Para and Brian Fraser.
True to the original Blues Train formula the 2023 program showcases four blues and roots artists per show – a solo artist, a duo, a trio, and a full band. As patrons swap carriages throughout the evening, they see four completely different interpretations and styles of roots music, a committed gender blend of artists, and all the sub genres within blues and roots music on board a heritage steam train.
You can find out more and purchase tickets online here.
