The Belfast City Blues Festival is back with more than 60 gigs across 22 venues from June 29 until July 2. A host of artists are set to take part with blues veterans Dr Feelgood, guitarist Aaron Keylock and local queen of blues Kaz Hawkins all taking to the stage.
Also returning this year is the annual Tribute to Rory Gallagher afternoon with The Pat McManus Band, Blackwood & The Willie Byrne Band as well as A Tribute To Phil Lynott & Thin Lizzy featuring local band Tinn Lizzy.
Other acts joining the 10th anniversary line-up include Ronnie Greer, Rab McCullough, Speedy Mullan, Billy Boy Miskimmin, The Lee Hedley Band, The Reverend Doc, The Red Hot Roosters and many others.
Here are seven songs you might hear throughout the Belfast City Blues Festival:
1. Pat McManus and Willie Byrne
Two of the north’s most distinguished musicians, Pat McManus and Willie Byrne, here pay homage to Irish rock and blues legend, the late, great Rory Gallagher. Here’s Pat’s personal tribute to Rory Gallagher in Rise of the G-Man.
2. Billy Boy Miskimmin
Billy Boy Miskimmin is one Europe’s finest exponents of the blues harp and has performed with some of the best blues bands in the business. He’ll be holding a master class for budding harmonica players on June 29 at Dawson’s Music. All musicians are welcome and all you need is your harmonica. Billy Boy will then perform alongside Mercy Lounge on the Belfast Barge at Lanyon Quay in the evening at 8pm. A quick taste of Billy Boy’s talent can be seen here:
3. Rab McCullough & The Rev Doc
The festival would not be complete without a performance by Rab and the Rev Doc on the Blues Cruise that departs from Donegall Quay on June 30 at 2.30pm.
Rab and his merry band of cohorts have been entertaining fans across Northern Ireland and further afield for some time – and always provide a storming show. Here is a taste of Rab performing with the ever-popular Rev Doc.
4. Kaz Hawkins
Kaz Hawkins brings her brand new show to Belfast City Blues Festival for a special Sunday lunch on July 1 at the Black Box, Belfast at 1.30pm.
Currently on her Irish tour with Sam York on piano, Kaz’s emotional rendering of bluesy hits is raw and compelling.
With her original songs and covers from the 1920s underground scene this is sure to be a fun afternoon with the undisputed queen of Belfast Blues.
Kaz also presents her own show on BBC Radio Ulster called “Kaz Hawkins Got The Blues” & is board member of the UK Blues Federation where she represented the UK in Memphis & Denmark in 2017.
Here is a recording of Kaz singing one of her most popular tunes, the rousing and melodic Lipstick and Cocaine, delivered with real passion and chutzpah.
4. Ronnie Greer
At the forefront of the local blues scene since the early 1960s, Ronnie is one of Belfast’s stalwart blues legends. Book early to join Ronnie’s Blues Cruise on Sunday July 1 which departs from Donegall Quay at 12pm. Sunday brunch will be served while you listen to Ronnie sing his most heartfelt hits. Here’s Ronnie singing Sweet Home Chicago.
5. Aaron Keylock
US guitar sensation Aaron Keylock is an impossibly young veteran of the rock/blues genre who has graduated through the ranks old school style. At the tender age of 18 he’s become a frontman who writes his own material and has enough experience to pour the ups and downs of life on the road into his songs. Keylock’s debut album Cut Against the Grain has been heralded as full of spark, real energy and strong material that gives a refreshing take on the rock/blues genre, adding rootsy and country influences. Keylock counts our own Rory Gallagher as an important musical influence. He will perform at Belfast’s Black Box on Saturday June 30.
Here is Aaron performing self-penned track All the Right Moves.
6. Lee Hedley
A consummate live performer – and one of the most distinguished on the local blues scene – Belfast’s Lee Hedley is back performing at the festival by popular demand. Lee and company will play Blues on the Boat on Saturday June 30, boarding at Donegall Quay at 6.30pm. The Lee Hedley band will also play at Granny Annie’s on Chichester Street on June 29 from 4.30 to 7.30pm and at the Cloth Ear on July 1 at a session from 4-6pm.
Here is the fabulous Lee Hedley Band playing The Thrill Is Gone.
7. Tinn Lizzy
The band will play a tribute show to Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy at Belfast’s Black Box during the festival on Sunday July 1 at 8pm. With extensive gigging under their belt, these guys have to be seen to be believed. With the brilliant and ghostly vocals of John Conlan, close your eyes and without a musical doubt you could be listening to the man himself – Phil Lynott. Also featuring epic twin guitar playing by Speedo Wilson and Willie Byrne – the boys are back in town, most definitey. Here is the band performing recently.
For more information visit belfastcityblues.com.
By Jo Green