HILLCREST Quarry in Durbanville is the spot to hear some of the latest blues acts on Saturday. The Big Blues Meets Rock Festival 2016 will feature nine bands pumping out 30000 watts of sonic power.
Festival organizer Richard Pryor says that he believes that there will always be a place for blues and rock music in the world.
Pryor says: “It doesn’t have the commercial support, but there is an ever-growing dedicated family of blues lovers out there and they need their fix too.”
“For me there is no fun or reward in mainstream popular music. It’s all there in one`’s face already. But there is magic in the music fringe and it is worth it to search for the treasure.”
Pryor also adds that he believes that the genre will continue with a steady following that will continue to grow.
“Hopefully festivals like these can present to the up and coming younger musicians that there is more on the music menu than mainstream pop music.
Just Dan Patlansky on his own has re-ignited the blues rock fires from yesteryear nationally and inspired a whole generation of guitar slingers who will want to keep that mojo alive well into the future.”
On choosing artists for the festival Pryor says, “well a festival is much like a recipe that promises a wonderful meal. So when putting a festival like this together I will always add fresh veggies to the ‘meat and potatoes’ then season copiously with salt and spices and cook slowly until the final meal is the sum of all those good ingredients.
“This blues rock potjie is interesting, tasty, with deep flavours that last longer and it’s a meal that will nourish the body and soul. Come get yourself more than a plateful on Saturday.”
The highlight of this year’s festival will be the launch of Dan Patlansky’s new album Introvertigo. Patlansky says of the new album: “Fans can expect a unique brand of blues rock born out of guitar playing whilst striving for strong song writing. I am very excited and proud of this album, and honestly feel this is my best release to date.”
Patlansky has just completed a hugely successful two month European tour with Joe Satriani and he has gained huge recognition overseas including being voted as one of the Top Ten best Rock guitarists in the world today by Total Guitar Magazine (UK).
Another great addition to this year’s line up is Crimson House. Grassroots, soul lifting, foot-stomping audio-candy, built on a brotherhood they hope will outlive the timelessness of the music they create.
Rooted in blues, coated in gypsy undertones, blended with early jazz fuelled by roaring guitars, blazing brassy saxophones, shredding banjos, and soul sweeping harmonica.
Other blues and rock acts on the bill who need absolutely no introduction are The Gerald Clark Trio, The Blues Broers, Mark Haze, Natasha Meister, Pebbleman, The Rockerfellas and potent vocalist Jesse Jordan.
Food stalls and family entertainment will be available for 10 hours straight. Doors open at 12.15.
There will also be a lucky draw worth nearly R24 000: A Fender Stratocaster, a cash prize and a Paul Bothner Music voucher will all be going home to one lucky ticket holder.
l C omputicket, or at the gate. Festival goers will be able to buy a lucky draw ticket at the event for R30. If tickets are bought prior to the festival via Computicket, this includes a free lucky draw entry worth R30. Ticket- holders can collect their lucky draw tickets at the gate on presentation of Computicket ticket. Information: 021 976 4959, www.bluesmeetsrock.co.za