Now in its eighth year, the folks behind Sydney Blues And Roots Festival, held in historic Windsor, are excited to announce the lineup for the 27th–30th October 2016. This year it is a free event to all who want to attend, with the exception of the dinner/shows at the Windsor Function Centre or prestigious Blues Cruises on the Hawkesbury Paddlewheer. Venues include the Hawkesbury Hotel, the Bowling Club, Windsor Public School and the Function Centre all located around the McQuade precinct.
A stellar lineup sets the scene for a momentus Sydney Blues And Roots Festival. The promoters have been working tirelessly to arrange over 60 bands for the best lineup ever, including headliners, American Blues guitarist Chris Cain. Chris Cain’s jazz-tinged, blues-soaked guitar and deep, warm vocals have been described as having the maturity and authenticity of bluesmen like BB King and Albert King. He plays at all the main blues festivals in the US and brings a jazz influence to his playing.
DIESEL has over 35 singles, 16 albums, six ARIA awards and record sales edging one million; DIESEL is a journeyman of music. With blues music in his DNA, and influenced largely from his father’s record collection, DIESEL has blended styles to come up with a truly unique sound, punctuated with his distinct guitar playing and vocals.
Also for the first time in 35 years STARS featuring original members Mick Pealing, Mal Eastick, Roger McLachlan, Glyn Dowding, will unite for one show only at the festival. The band’s debut album, Paradise, peaked at #11 on the Australian Charts in 1978 and included their highest charting single ‘Look After Yourself’ which reached #21 on the singles chart.
THE HIPPOS first emerged in 1985 from the rich rhythm and blues scene that was concentrated on the fringe of inner city Sydney. Accomplished English guitarist/vocalist/producer, Lez Karski (Supercharge, Magnetics, producer of Boys Next Door, Midnight Oil, Spy V Spy), approached veteran bassist/vocalist John Power (Foreday Riders, Jo Jo Zep and The Falcons) with the idea of a casual band playing covers of material they had always wanted to perform but had never had the opportunity to do so. Enlisting journeyman drummer, Ace Follington (Richard Clapton, Jeff St John, Chain), saxophonist Ian Jones, and keyboardist extraordinaire Bridie King the Hippos soon made their mark on the touring circuit.
Along with this there are some brilliant new offers, including the new VIP Card. These can be purchased from Oztix online and all Oztix outlets for just $99.00 and are available on the 11th of August.
The VIP Card will give you tickets to shows, including the Blues Awards night on the 27th of October at the Sebel Resort and Spa in Windsor, huge discounts on ticketed shows, free admission to the Rock Boots on Friday nights, a year’s subscription to Rhythms Magazine, discounted drinks and meals at participating restaurants and cafes, merchandise, camping and so much more!
The Southern Comfort Blues Cruises continue on the Hawskesbury Paddlewheeler this year and previous years indicate that these tickets are always first to sell out! VIPs can snap up these tickets for half price.
The introduction of ‘Up and Coming’ new acts will introduce some special new Australian blues talent throughout the free stages at the festival.
For the first time the camping is right next to the action! All the events will run around the McQuade precinct so, the courtesy bus will be a distant memory for the campers. New partner TentTown offers three options, see them all at the official website. The campsite will have 24 hour security for the entirety of the festival.
ARTISTS FOR 2016
Chris Cain ( USA )
Diesel
Stars (first show in 35 years) featuring Mick Pealing, Mal Eastick, Roger McLachlan, Glyn Dowding)
Gail Page
Chase The Sun
The Hippos
Manning Wilson Southwell Band
Chasin The Train
The Cyril B. Bunter Band
Glenn Cardier & The Sideshow
Mario Millo (ex Sebastian Hardie performing with Four Moments & More)
Phil Manning
Rick Price
Owen Campbell
Grant Walmsley Freebird Blues Band feat. Holly Wilson
Psycho Zydeco
Gail Page Trio (Southern Comfort Blues Cruise)
Chris Wilson & Mark Kennedy (Southern Comfort Blues Cruise)
Kevin Bennett & Kirk Lorange (Southern Comfort Blues Cruise)
Glenn Cardier & Christian Marsh (Southern Comfort Blues Cruise)
Woodford (Southern Comfort Blues Cruise)
Continental Robert’s Soul Kinda Feelin Review
Lez Karski
Marshall OKell Band
James Southwell Band
Claude Hay
Harry Brus Band with Mitchell Anderson
Chris Turner and The Cave Men
The Fumes
Leanne Tennant
Mike Elrington
Don Hopkins Duo
19-Twenty
Dreamboogie
Michelle Van der Meer’s Midnight Ramblers
Lizard
Mitch King
Swampash
Christina Crofts Band
Dog The Duke
Colleen Fricker
Kane Dennelly
Bonnie Kay and The Bonafides
Ivor SK
Blues Exile
Troy Dwyer & The Bridge Burners
Tomcat Playground
Double Helix
Just Us
Leaving Reality
Matt ‘The Lightning’ Ross and the Gospel Storm
Nick Charles
Orcaband
Our Teal Blu
Rod Mitchell
The Spencer Jones Project
Spin Gents
The Jacky Howellers
The Urban Chiefs
The Wisemans Circus
Wild Honey
Sugar Bowl Hokum
Get your tickets here and at all Oztix outlets.
Official Sydney Blues And Roots Festival website
