Bendigo’s live music resurgence has been an exhilarating phenomenon to be part of, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
The 5th annual Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival has again grown and promises to deliver everything you loved about it in previous years and a whole lot more. With almost 50 venues hosting music and over 170 acts delivering more than 400 performances over the 4-day festival, you’ll need to get a head-start reviewing the online program to work out how to make the most of this year’s festival.
From our free concert in Rosalind Park, to the youth stages, to jams and open mic sessions to concerts at The Capital and Ulumbarra Theatres (hosting our ‘main event’ concerts with BB&RMF first timers like: Joe Camilleri and the Black Sorrows, Jeff Lang, Backsliders, Lucie Thorne with Hamish Stewart) there really is something for everyone. The Goldmines Hotel will host Fiona Boyes (another internationally renowned blues performer making her BB&RMF debut), workshops, intimate concerts in Billyroy’s Blues Bar and an amazing array of acts in their famous courtyard. The Shamrock Hotel will again host some of the finest blues talent in Australia in the Gold Dust Lounge, on the balcony of The Yard Bird and a very special concert honouring the recently departed BB King.
The Bridge Hotel will put on their famous Street Party, which will feature Lloyd Spiegel, Andrea Marr Band and many others. The Exchange will host artists on the boardwalk from Thursday through Sunday and ROCKS on Rosalind brings live tunes back to their courtyard and carpark with another explosive line-up. New venues this year include The Boardwalk at Lake Weeroona with a very special singer/songwriter showcase on the Sunday, The Engine Room, also playing host to singer/songwriter events on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Davidson Brothers finally join the BB&RMF party and are guaranteed to create a ruckus in the Rifle Brigade Hotel car park on the Friday night. The Discovery Centre will host music and activities aimed fairly and squarely at families. Those wanting to check out venues on the outskirts of town can do so at Marong Family Hotel, Axedale Tavern, the Farmers Arms Hotel and others.
We have an all-ages show guaranteed to blow the roof off the multi-storey carpark in Edward Street, headlined by the mighty Jackson Firebird! Again, the vast majority of our program is free entry, but those who can afford to are encouraged to secure seats early for our ticketed events to avoid missing out. Go to our website and click on the “Tickets” tab.
The fun doesn’t end in November – we’re involved in the Summer in the Parks concert series on January 22 and 29. We host our first Blues Tram event of 2016 on January 23 and The Old Church on the Hill will play home to more singer/songwriter showcases on an ad-hoc basis, so keep your ear to the ground.
Thanks again for supporting live music. It’s where you’re not just an audience member, you’re a participant!
