Woodstock Rhythm & Blues Festival
The Woodstock Rhythm & Blues Festival returns for it’s sixth year with another fantastic line up of performances. Highlights of the festival include Chris Farlowe & the Norman Beaker Band, Ronnie Greer Band with Ken Haddock & 3side Story, THEM & The Sabrejets, Rab McCullough Band & Voodoo Hounds and Grainne Duffy Band & The Blues Katz.
This year by popular demand we welcome back the wonderful Chris Farlowe whose sell-out performance at the festival last year was nothing short of sensational. When asked would he consider playing again this year his reply was “I’d love to, the Woodstock crowd are unbelievable.” Also making the trip across the pond to play this year are the excellent Nial Kelly Blues Trio. Niall now based in London, hails from Londonderry and is a great addition to the festival line-up.
Northern Ireland has a rich tradition in rhythm & blues music and we have produced many bands and musicians of international repute but we would also aim to create an awareness of the many talented local musicians who are keeping the music alive. As always the calibre of musicianship on offer is incredible with our usual mix of seasoned performers and rising stars of the blues scene.
Tickets for the following performances are available from Belfast Welcome Centre:
To book tickets for these events, please visit the Belfast Welcome Centre, 47 Donegall Place, Belfast or telephone 028 9024 6609.
For the full festival programme: www.woodstockbelfast.co.uk
Chris Farlowe Chris Farlowe is universally regarded as one of the finest soul and r‘n’b voices that the UK has ever produced, a singer unquestionably in the same class as the likes of Van Morrison, Steve Winwood and Eric Burdon. His most-beloved record,Out Of Time, written for him by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and produced by Mick Jagger, was a Number One in 1966 and is one of the era’s most imperishable classics.But Farlowe himself regards his greatest ever accolade as coming from Otis Redding who in the mid-60s personally invited the Londoner to appear with him on a live TV special, the two men memorably duetting on Shakeand Satisfaction. “He said to me, ‘You’re a great singer,’ which I take as a great compliment,” says Farlowe. “He should know, shouldn’t he?” Farlowe joined prog rock giants Colosseum in the 70s and still works internationally with the band, as well as touring as a solo artist, his voice still as extraordinary today as it was at the start of his career nearly fifty years ago. |
The Norman Beaker Band Formidably talented English guitarist Norman Beaker has, since the 60s, collaborated with such great names as British blues godfather Alexis Korner, Cream legend Jack Bruce, Chicago bluesmen Phil Guy and Lurrie Bell, and rock‘n’roll pioneer Chuck Berry.Beaker formed his own highly accomplished blues band in the early 80s since when the band have gigged relentlessly and toured as the regular backing band for the likes of Larry Garner and Chris Farlowe. |
Ronnie Greer Band Ronnie Greer’s legendary status in the Northern Ireland music scene is fully justified. Not only has he suffused some of the best blues bands in the country with his searing guitar, working his magic alongside the great Jim Daly, Kenny McDowell and Jackie Flavelle to name but a few, he’s back this year by popular demand. With his band who are notably augmented by songwriters Antony Toner and Ken Haddock, Johnny McCullough on keyboards and probably the best rhythm section in the business, namely Alan Hunter and Colm Fitzpatrick, Ronnie is not to be missed. |
Mercy Lounge After nearly twenty years touring the world with bands like The Yardbirds and Nine Below Zero, harmonica great Billy Boy Miskimmin has returned home to Belfast to form Mercy Lounge. Billy Boy first astonished audiences with his combination of emotional power and jaw-dropping technique in the 80’s when he played with local legends like Jim Daly, Jackie Flavelle and Ronnie Greer and has since went on to play with a plethora of greats including B.B. King & The Doors. Along with Lou Campbell (guitar), Matt Matin (keyboards), Aaron Loughran (bass) & Hal Gordan (drums) they are not to be missed. |
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Kenny McDowell Kenny has built a magnificent career spanning five decades, playing in some of Northern Irelands greatest ever bands. Who can forget the magical nights in the Pound Club and The Errigle listening to Spike, Bronco and Sk’boo? A veteran of stand out acoustic performances featuring the work of some of his favourite songwriters (John Prine, Delbert McClinton, Russell Smith) and proving why he’s widely regarded to be the best vocalist the North has ever produced. |
Gary Maxwell (Max) Following on from an impromptu appearance at last years festival local boy Gary Maxwell (Max) returns with what his fans call his East Belfast swing. A relative newcomer to the Northern Ireland singer songwriter scene, he has built a huge reputation for himself with his very poignant and witty songs. Along with a few well chosen and off the wall covers and his ability to tell a good yarn Max is a welcome addition to Woodstock 2013. |
Willie Byrne Band Belfast guitar maestro Willie Byrne, who many would say is the most technically gifted guitar player in Ireland, will front a three piece power house of a band that will evoke memories of Cream, Jimi Hendrix and Taste. Covering some of Rory’s best known songs combined with other classic rock and blues favourites, Willie is set to light up the stage with his energy and conviction. |
The Blues Collective The Blues Collective with Frank Girvan (drums), Alan Hayward (bass), Bill Lunney (lead guitar), Paul Armstrong (guitar & harmonica) & Gil Irvine (vocals) play an eclectic mix of blues and soul standards interspersed with Hendrix, Dylan & Van favourites. Their goodtime boogie blues will be familiar to all of you who remember The Pound. |
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Rab McCullough Band Distinguished local guitar virtuoso Rab McCullough forged his own brazen blues style deep in the sixties and seventies alongside a plethora of comrades, from Rory Gallagher and Gary Moore to Jimi Hendrix and John Mayall. A true Belfast prodigy with a phenomenal sound and insatiable energy to perform, Woodstock ’13 is safe in Rab’s cool hands. |
Grainne Duffy Band Playing the blues like a blood relative of BB King or Bonnie Raitt, Grainne Duffy is an absolute delight. Woodstock ’13 is proud to have Grainne perform as she has a jam packed festival schedule this year. As she soars ever higher on the wings of her superb new cd “Test Of Time” Grainne has now become a firm favourite at the festival. She is the real deal so get your tickets early for this one as they are going fast. |
Ken Haddock Singer, songwriter, guitarist and photographer, Ken Haddock has been a hugely popular figure among audiences and fellow performers since his arrival on the Belfast scene in the late ‘90s. With his distinctive voice and looming stage presence Ken commands a loyal crowd wherever he plays raising the roof with the old standards, some modern classics and original material. |
Anthony Toner Undoubtedly one the North’s finest singer songwriters Anthony will get together with his good friend Ken Haddock for a unique performance at this year’s festival. He will be sure to enthrall the audience with his beautiful and darkly funny songs. A little bit country, a lit bit blues and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll all packaged with bags of gentle charm. |
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Alan McKelvey Band The Alan McKelvey Band, “A band not to be missed, Alan’s guitar skills are second to none, and his voice is the gem of the local blues scene.” These are the words recorded on the Empire Music Hall website after Alan and the boy’s debut in the prestigious venue. Since then Alan has notched up a well-received series of gigs at various festivals and venues throughout the country, leaving behind only satisfied R&B followers. |
Voodoo Hounds Formed in 2012 Voodoo Hounds are a 5 piece pub rock/bluescovers band that “do exactly what it says on the tin”. Comprising of experienced musicians drafted from local bands they are an outfit who play and hopefully do justice to the songs of their musical heroes. So if you like Dr Feelgood, Muddy Waters, Canned Heat, The Doors, B.B.King and The Rolling Stones, then come boogie with the Hounds. |
Niall Kelly Blues Trio Niall Kelly who has been a staple of the London blues and roots scene for the last ten years (residency at “Ain’t Nothing But The Blues Bar” and at the “Round Midnight Blues & Jazz Bar”) is a singer and songwriter who draws on the influences of Presley, Van, Howlin’ Wolf and Screamin Jay Hawkins, but is yet original and distinctive in his own right. At Woodstock this year he will perform with his acoustic trio which also consists of Vlad Soriano on fluid and powerful guitar and the uplifting energy of Morgan Platt on percussion. An entertaining, heavy duty live act, you will not walk away disappointed. |
The Sabrejets Belfast Greaser Kings, The Sabrejets draw on influences from primal 50’s Rock ‘n’ Roll through the likes of T.Rex and The New York Dolls to The Cramps. Their unique stripped down, revved up, two fisted brand of rockabilly has seen them tear apart venues throughout Ireland, Britain and Europe, sharing stages with the likes of Chuck Berry, Imelda May and Bo Diddley’. |
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| Them Founded in Belfast in 1964 Them were most prominently known for the garage rock standard “Gloria” and launching singer Van Morrison’s musical career. Back together again for this year’s Woodstock they will feature two members of that original line-up namely Eric Wrixton (keyboards) & Billy Harrison (guitar). Augmented by Billy McCoy (guitar), Albert Mills (bass), Peter McKinney (drums) & Mike Wilgar (harmonica) the legend continues. |
3 Side Story The new band, ‘3 Side Story’ comprises Peter Spratt (guitar), Ali McKenzie (bass), Davy Kennedy (drums) and the great Maggie Toal on vocals. Their objective is to present a band that is simultaneously sophisticated in terms of musicianship and capable of a very hard edge when it comes to classic blues and rock. The set list includes Gary Moore, Blind Faith, Bad Company, Whitesnake, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Van Morrison, Etta James, Robin Trower etc. and is developing to include original material. |
| Illegal Smile Fans of the great John Prine will know from the band’s name exactly what to expect from this trio. Featuring Barry Johnson (vocals & rhythm guitar) & the young Hunter brothers (Paul on bass & Sam on lead guitar) the boys play an energetic & stylish mix of all that’s good in acoustic roots music. Alongside the aforementioned Mr Prine they will feature songs by Johnny Cash, Steve Earle & Neil Young to name but a few. |
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